[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
We’ve come across possibly one of THE most disturbing stories. A woman has been accused of torturing and murdering her own pregnant daughter AND cutting the baby out of her womb!!
According to 9 & 10 News, 22-year-old Rebecca Park disappeared on November 3 after visiting her mom Cortney Bartholomew’s house in Boon Township, Michigan. She was approximately 38 weeks pregnant. Her fiancé/baby daddy Richard Falor claimed to the outlet that his partner was last seen entering the passenger seat of a dark colored vehicle at her mom’s home. That was reportedly around 11:30 p.m. that day. Richard said Rebecca told Cortney:
“Hold on. I got somebody to pick me up. This is just something I’ve got to do. I’m sorry.”
Related: Missing High School Football Coach Travis Turner May Have LEFT THE COUNTRY?!
After entering the car, Richard said, “Nobody’s heard from her since.” He shared that had no idea who Rebecca left with, and they are “always in contact.” What further raised alarms for him is that she didn’t have her phone with her anymore:
“Her phone was found on a two track across the street from her mom’s, and anybody that knows Becca, she don’t go nowhere without her phone.”
A search for Rebecca was launched. And three weeks later, on November 25, a body matching her description was found in Huron-Manistee National Forest. Rebecca’s biological father reportedly found the remains with a search party. How awful. Per People, an autopsy then confirmed the body belonged to Rebecca — and that she was no longer pregnant. The baby wasn’t in her womb. In fact, her baby was also “not present” at the crime scene. So WTF happened to Rebecca and her baby? The details are incredibly gruesome…
On Tuesday, police arrested Cortney, along with her husband and Rebecca’s stepfather, Brad Bartholomew, in connection with the murder. Check out their mugshots (below):
The Michigan Department of Attorney General announced that both were charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of felony murder, one count of torture, one count of conspiracy to commit torture, one count of assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage/stillbirth, and one count of conspiracy to commit assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage/stillbirth. If found guilty, they will likely spend the rest of their lives in prison. Each charge carries a potential life sentence. Cortney and Bradley were also charged with one count of unlawful imprisonment, a 15-year-offense felony, and one count of removal of a dead body, a 1-year misdemeanor.
People reported that during Cortney and Brad’s first court appearance, prosecutor Johanna Carey revealed they stabbed and cut Rebecca’s baby out while she was alive. OMG. And they both died from that trauma:
“Mr. Bartholomew brought Rebecca to their home, [he and Cortney] forced her into another vehicle and took her into the woods where they stabbed her, forced her to lie on the ground while they cut her baby out, and ultimately caused her death and the death of the baby. They then left Rebecca in the woods.”
Carey said this is a “case of premeditated torture and murder,” as the Bartholomews “created a plan” and “conducted research.” The prosecutor added while asking that the couple be held without bail:
“This is, frankly, evil personified.”
A motive has not been revealed. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel added in a statement:
“Rebecca had everything to live for, and our hearts are with her loved ones as they endure this unthinkable loss. We are committed to working alongside the Wexford County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is pursued in this tragic case without delay.”
In addition to the parents’ arrest, just hours after finding her body, Rebecca’s half-sister, Kimberly, was taken into custody. Records obtained by People showed she was accused of tampering with evidence, lying to police, and filing a false report. A felony complaint alleged she told cops Cortney ordered Brad to hit Rebecca in the head, causing a seizure before “they took her body away.” Court TV reported she is held on a $750,000 cash bond. Rebecca’s fiancé, who is a registered sex offender, was also arrested. Richard was hit with two meth-delivery charges. He is currently being held on a $1 million bond. See their mugshots (below):
An absolutely terrible situation. Hopefully, Rebecca gets some justice…
For more information on violence against women, go to
[Image via The Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Rebecca Park/Facebook]
