MI Mom, Stepdad Torture Pregnant Daughter, Cut Unborn Baby From Womb: Prosecutor

WEXFORD COUNTY, MI — A northern Michigan couple is facing murder charges after prosecutors said they killed their 22-year-old pregnant daughter and her unborn baby last month.

Officials found Rebecca Park's body in the Manistee National Forest on Nov. 25, nearly three weeks after she was first reported missing. Prosecutors said she was stabbed to death and the baby had been cut out of her. They said the baby also died in the attack. Rebecca was 38 weeks pregnant.

Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and Bradly Bartholomew, 47, both of Boon, were charged with:

• One count of first-degree murder (potential life sentence offense)
• One count of felony murder (potential life sentence offense)
• One count of torture (potential life sentence offense)
• One count of conspiracy to commit torture (potential life sentence offense)
• One count of assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage/stillbirth (potential life sentence offense)
• One count of conspiracy to commit assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage/stillbirth (potential life sentence offense)
• One count of unlawful imprisonment (15-year felony)
• One count of removal of a dead body (1-year misdemeanor)

They were both placed in jail without bond. Their next court date was not immediately set.

Prosecutors said on Nov. 3, the couple lured Park, who was Cortney Bartholomew’s biological daughter, to their Wexford County home. The couple then forced Rebecca into another vehicle, which took her into the woods where they stabbed her and forced her to lie on the ground while they cut her baby out, prosecutors said.

Rebecca and her unborn baby were killed in the attack, prosecutors said.

The couple then fled the area and left Rebecca in the woods, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors did not reveal a motive for the attack.

Although Cortney Bartholomew was Rebecca's biological mother, prosecutors said Rebecca was raised by a couple who adopted her and her siblings.

Rebecca's fiancé, 43-year-old Richard Lee Falor, and her sister, 21-year-old Kimberly Park, were also arrested after her body was found.

Kimberly Park was charged with tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer and filing a false report, and Falor was charged with delivering methamphetamine. It was unclear if any of the charges were in connection to Rebecca Park's case.

Both were placed in jail. Falor was given a $1 million bond and Kimberly Park was given a $750,000 bond.

"This case involves a truly horrific homicide in which a young woman and her unborn child endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of the Defendants," said Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey. "The brutality and disregard for human life displayed here are deeply troubling."

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also issued a statement, saying, "Rebecca had everything to live for, and our hearts are with her loved ones as they endure this unthinkable loss."

Officials are still investigating the incident and asked anyone with information to call the tip line at 231-306-2072 or the Wexford County Sheriff’s Department at 231-779-9216.