Child Cut From His Mother's Womb in Chicago Has Died

The newborn who was cut from Marlen Ochoa-Lopez's womb on April 23 has died. The Chicago Tribune has a statement made "with great sadness" by the family of Yovanny Jadiel Lopez: "He passed away this Friday June 14, 2019 from his severe brain injury. Please keep his family in your thoughts & prayers as they go through this difficult time." The boy's prognosis had been grim from the start, though there was a glimmer of hope in late May when the child reportedly opened his eyes as his father held him. But Yovanny was on life support, and doctors said a lack of oxygen had resulted in severe brain damage. WGN reports the family will hold a private funeral for the child. The news of his death comes two days after Clarisa Figueroa, 46, and her 24-year-old daughter, Desiree Figueroa, were charged with first-degree murder.

Investigators allege that shortly after Clarisa Figueroa's 20-year-old son died last year she announced she was pregnant—surprising news, considering her fallopian tubes had been tied. They say she prepared a nursery and said the baby would be given the name of her late son, Xander. Ochoa-Lopez connected with her in a Facebook group for pregnant women and met in April at Clarisa Figueroa's home. On Ochoa-Lopez's return visit later than month, Desiree Figueroa allegedly distracted the 19-year-old with an album of photos of her late brother; Clarisa Figueroa then allegedly strangled her from behind and cut out the baby after her death. The women are next due in court June 26, reports the AP. (Clarisa Figueroa was "not that wise," says a detective.)