A Michigan woman has been accused of murdering her pregnant biological daughter after admitting to investigators that she had an affair with the child's father, as well as the victim's sister.
Cortney Bartholomew, 40, is facing several charges, including first-degree murder, felony murder, torture and assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage/stillbirth, in connection with the death of 22-year-old Rebecca Park, as reported by People. The same charges have been handed down to Cortney's husband Bradly Bartholomew over his alleged involvement in Rebecca's murder.
Rebecca's sister Kimberly Park, 21, spoke with an investigator where she allegedly stated that she was in a relationship with Richard Falor, 43, the father of Rebecca's unborn child, on Nov. 24, the day before her body was found. Kimberly made this claim two days after a detective reached out to her regarding her alleged information about Cortney and Bradly's involvement.
Kimberly claimed Cortney and Bradly struck Rebecca on the head, and she died from a seizure. She alleges Courtney and Bradly contacted a friend who disposed of her sister's body in a swamp.
Kimberly later confessed that she provided authorities with false information in an effort to protect Falor, who she alleges admitted to her that "he killed Rebecca Park and that he wanted to protect Kimberly by not sharing details with her."
Kimberly was charged with tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer, and filing a false report. She was placed on house arrest after posting $5,000 bail.
Falor was arrested, but later released after being indicted on a drug charge because investigators found no evidence to support Kimberly's account.
Cortney told investigators that she started dating Falor after he and Rebecca broke up. Cortney alleges she nearly left Bradly for Falor, but had a change of heart. Rebecca and Richard got back together afterwards.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, Cortney alleges Falor came to her home after their split "with the intention of shooting Bradly" and he "raped her forcefully, causing her to have a miscarriage of the baby she was carrying."
Cortney and Bradly were arrested after cell phone and text message data linked them to the location where Rebecca's body was discovered.
"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," Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey said in court. "They then left Rebecca in the woods."
Cortney and Bradly face life in prison on each of their six charges.