Rebecca Park Was Pregnant with Her Stepdad’s Child, Mom Claims — as She Allegedly Confesses to Cutting Baby Out of Womb

The mother of Rebecca Park allegedly confessed to cutting her unborn grandchild from Rebecca’s womb and then witnessing her daughter’s killing, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by investigators.

Authorities say that Cortney Bartholomew, 40, initially denied having any role in the death of the biological daughter she had placed for adoption as an infant. Her account allegedly changed after police informed her that cell phone data placed her at the location where Rebecca’s body was found on the night of the murder.

Rebecca disappeared just before midnight on Nov. 3 from Cortney’s home in Michigan. She was discovered dead a few miles away on Nov. 25 — three days after her due date.

In a second interview with the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office, Cortney allegedly admitted to using a scalpel to cut the fetus from Rebecca’s womb, according to the affidavit.

The document states that Cortney claimed she was trying to save the baby’s life and intended to give the child to Rebecca’s fiancé, 43-year-old Richard Falor.

She also allegedly told investigators that the baby’s father was her husband and Rebecca’s stepfather, 47-year-old Bradly Bartholomew.

“Brad said it was his,” Cortney allegedly told officials.

The shocking allegation followed earlier statements in which both Cortney and Rebecca’s sister, 21-year-old Kimberly, allegedly told investigators they had previously had affairs with Falor.

According to the affidavit, Cortney claimed that Bradly was the one who killed Rebecca. She alleged that he forced the pregnant woman into a car and repeatedly stabbed her before Cortney began cutting Rebecca’s unborn baby boy from her womb.

“When she cut the baby out, Cortney said that Rebecca was still conscious and Bradly was holding the knife to her throat,” the affidavit states.

Cortney allegedly told police that the baby was not breathing when she removed him.

She further claimed that Rebecca’s body was shoved down an embankment and covered with leaves. The remains were discovered there three weeks later.

Cortney alleged that Bradly killed Rebecca in retaliation against Falor, who had allegedly reported Bradly for violating conditions tied to his status as a convicted sex offender.

Court records indicate that Bradly received a 180-day sentence for an unspecified violation related to the sex offender registry.

As for the baby, Cortney allegedly told investigators that the fetus was placed in a cooler, then in a trash bag, and finally discarded in a dumpster, according to the affidavit.

Cortney insisted she never stabbed Rebecca, but allegedly acknowledged that the injuries from being cut open would have been difficult to survive.

She also told investigators that Bradly had said, months before the killing, that he planned to cut Rebecca’s child from her womb in front of Rich, according to the affidavit.

Bradly, meanwhile, allegedly told authorities that his wife masterminded the entire plot and was driven by a desire to have more children. He said they could not adopt because of his status as a sex offender.

Investigators also uncovered text messages Cortney allegedly sent to her sister before Rebecca’s murder. In those messages, she claimed she had given birth and that the baby was in a neonatal intensive care unit at a local hospital. She later texted her sister to say that the baby had died shortly after the death of Rebecca’s baby.

It remains unclear when exactly Rebecca died. Investigators believe she may still have been alive after whoever attacked her left the scene.

At a court hearing, Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey described the killing as “evil personified” while arguing that Cortney and Bradly should not be granted bail.

She called it “a case of premeditated torture and murder,” alleging that the Bartholomews “created a plan” and “conducted research” before carrying it out.

Investigators believe Cortney lured Rebecca to her home by showing her a photo of an $18,000 check she claimed was part of an inheritance from her grandmother.

Cortney and Bradly now each face one count of first-degree murder, felony murder, torture, conspiracy to commit torture, assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage or stillbirth, and conspiracy to commit assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage or stillbirth. Each of these six charges carries a possible life sentence.

They are also each charged with unlawful imprisonment and removal of a dead body.

Kimberly is charged with tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer and filing a false report. Her bail was reduced from $750,000 to $5,000, and she is currently on house arrest.

Public defenders representing Cortney, Bradly and Kimberly did not respond to requests for comment, according to court proceedings.

Cortney and Bradly remain held without bail at the Wexford County Jail.