Mother and Stepfather Accused of Murder and Torture of Pregnant Woman Rebecca Park

A body consistent with the description of 22-year-old Rebecca Park was discovered in the Manistee National Forest on November 25. Park had gone missing shortly before midnight on November 3, while she was 38 weeks pregnant.

On December 2, the Michigan Department of Attorney General announced that Parks biological mother, Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and her stepfather, Bradly Bartholomew, 47, were formally arraigned before Judge Corey Wiggins at the 84th District Court in Cadillac regarding Parks death.

Both were charged with 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 charges carries a potential life sentence. Additionally, they face charges of unlawful imprisonment, a 15-year felony, and removal of a dead body, classified as a misdemeanor.

Authorities report that on November 3, Parks mother and stepfather allegedly lured her to their home in Wexford County. The Michigan Department of Attorney General stated that Park, who was heavily pregnant at the time, was allegedly tortured in an attempt to remove her unborn child, which resulted in the deaths of both mother and baby.

Wexford County Sheriff Trent Taylor confirmed that Parks autopsy showed she was no longer pregnant, prompting continued investigations by multiple agencies into the circumstances surrounding the unborn child.

Park was last seen around 11:30 p.m. on November 3 in the Cadillac and Boon Township area. Her fianc, Richard Falor, told authorities that she entered the passenger side of a dark-colored vehicle at her mothers residence.

Following the discovery of Parks remains, custody records indicate that her younger sister, Kimberly, 21, and her fianc Falor, 43, were booked into Wexford County Jail. Kimberly faces felony charges including tampering with evidence, providing false information to law enforcement, and filing a false report. Falor was arraigned on charges related to delivering methamphetamine.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue to gather details surrounding both Parks death and the status of her unborn child.

Author: Sophia Brooks