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

The mother of 26-year-old Rebecca Park allegedly confessed to cutting her unborn baby from her womb and then watching as her daughter was killed, according to an affidavit reviewed by investigators.

Authorities say 40-year-old Cortney Bartholomew initially denied any role in the murder of the biological daughter she had placed for adoption as an infant. She allegedly changed her story after detectives confronted her with cell phone data placing her near the location where Rebecca’s body was found on the night of the killing.

Rebecca disappeared from Cortney’s Michigan home just before midnight on Nov. 3. She was nearly full-term and due to give birth three days later. Her body was discovered on Nov. 25, a few miles away.

In a second interview with the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office, Cortney allegedly admitted that she used a scalpel to cut the fetus from Rebecca’s womb, according to a probable cause affidavit. She allegedly claimed her motive was to save the baby’s life and give the child to Rebecca’s fiancé, 43-year-old Richard “Rich” Falor.

Cortney also allegedly told investigators that the baby’s biological father was her husband and Rebecca’s stepfather, 47-year-old Bradly Bartholomew. “Brad said it was his,” she allegedly told officials, according to the affidavit.

The allegation came after both Cortney and Rebecca’s sister, 21-year-old Kimberly, allegedly told investigators they had previously had affairs with Falor.

Cortney further alleged that Bradly was the one who murdered Rebecca. She claimed he forced Rebecca, who was heavily pregnant, into a car and repeatedly stabbed her before Cortney began cutting the unborn baby boy from her daughter’s 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 the baby was not breathing when she removed him.

According to Cortney’s account, Rebecca’s body was then pushed down an embankment and covered with leaves. It remained there for about three weeks before being discovered.

Cortney allegedly told investigators that Bradly killed Rebecca in retaliation against Falor, who had reportedly alerted authorities that Bradly violated a condition of his release as a registered sex offender. Court records show Bradly later received a 180-day sentence for an unspecified violation connected to his status on the sex offender registry.

As for the baby, Cortney allegedly said the fetus was placed in a cooler, then inside a trash bag, and discarded in a dumpster, according to the affidavit.

Cortney maintained that she never stabbed Rebecca herself, but allegedly admitted that the injuries caused by cutting her open were likely unsurvivable.

She also allegedly claimed that months before the killing, Bradly said he planned to cut the baby from Rebecca’s womb in front of Rich.

Bradly, in turn, allegedly told investigators that Cortney masterminded the crime and was driven by a desire to have more children. He reportedly said the couple believed 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 which she claimed she had recently given birth and that the baby was in the neonatal intensive care unit at a local hospital. She later texted that the baby had died shortly after the death of Rebecca’s child.

Authorities say it remains unclear exactly when Rebecca died. Investigators believe it is possible she was still alive after whoever attacked her left the scene that night.

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 couple “created a plan” and “conducted research” beforehand.

Detectives believe Cortney lured Rebecca to her home by showing her a photo of an $18,000 check that 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 those six charges carries a potential life sentence.

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

Kimberly has been 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.

The public defenders representing Cortney, Bradly and Kimberly did not respond to a request for comment.

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