Woman Cuts Newborn from Mother's Womb in Horrifying Baby Theft
A baby who was stolen after being cut from its mother's womb has survived the gruesome ordeal.
Although her 34-year-old mother, Valencia Behrens, bled to death, baby Maxine is in a stable
condition, according to Agence France-Presse.
The baby's head was cut, which some suspect is likely the result of being sliced out of mother Valencia Behrens' stomach.
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Behrens' neighbor Loretta Cooke, 29, was immediately arrested and charged after law enforcement received information indicating her involvement in Behrens' death.
According to sources Cooke, who is based in west Johannesburg, South Africa, drew red flags after taking baby Maxine into a local clinic to treat the baby's cuts.
"We received an emergency call from one of the neighbors that a baby had been born in a house," police spokesman Appel Ernest told AFP.
"We found a lady lying in a pool of blood. During the investigation we found out she had been cut open. Her baby was removed. We were told she had bled out during childbirth, but we couldn't find the baby," Ernest continued.
"This is an unusual case. Initial investigation has suggested that the mother had bled to death while giving birth," Ernest added.
Cooke, who allegedly faked her own pregnancy for months before allegedly attacking Behren, was denied bail after appearing at Randfontein Magistrates Court on Sunday.
The tragic case has attracted widespread public interest, with protesters taking to the streets outside of the courts to condemn Cooke.
In October, 33-year-old Annette Morales-Rodriguez of Milwaukee was arrested after a similar incident and is being charged with first-degree intentional homicide while armed and first-degree intentional homicide of an unborn child while armed.
Like Cooke, Rodriguez faked a pregnancy before killing 23-year-old Maritza Ramirez-Cruz, who was 9 months pregnant, and slicing her unborn baby from her womb although both mother and baby died, according to The Associated Press.
Although the cases are not connected, it is believed that both Cooke and Rodriguez resorted to similarly desperate measures after they were both allegedly unable to conceive.
Baby Maxine's father, Joseph Pieterse, expressed his sadness in girlfriend Behrens' death, but also his joy at his baby's well being.
"At least she is fine and healthy … she is doing well. Her scar is healing nicely. Maybe later she will come home to us," Pieterse said.
