The family of a baby who was cut from his slain mother’s womb in Chicago opened his eyes, according to reports.
The baby of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, the 19-year-old woman who was murdered before the child was forcibly removed, has been at a Chicago hospital for the past month. Her family visited the child over the weekend and confirmed that the newborn is in critical condition, NBC Chicago reported.
Julie Contreras, a spokeswoman for the family, said they met with hospital officials, but details of the meeting were not clear, NBC reported on May 20.
Slain teen Marlen Ochoa’s newborn to undergo brain activity tests, spokesperson says https://t.co/T3W3THawpN pic.twitter.com/eBmDzoQAUK
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) May 21, 2019
The child, who was named Yovanny Jardiel, was visited by his father on the night of May 19, and she said he is a “fighter” after apparently opening his eyes. Photos posted online on May 20 showed the father with the boy in the hospital.
Previous reports stated that the boy was brain dead and wouldn’t survive. The family, however, said he won’t be taken off life support.
Two women, 46-year-old Clarisa Figueroa and her 24-year-old daughter, Desiree Figueroa, were charged with murder. Earlier this month, Ochoa-Lopez’s body was found near Figueroa’s home.
Piotr Bobak, 40, was also charged with concealment of a homicide, according to officials.
Clarisa Figueroa, Desiree Figueroa and Piotr Bobak were charged Thursday afternoon in the death of pregnant teenager Marlen Ochoa, whose body was discovered in a garbage can and her baby cut out of her womb.https://t.co/BgHMELZTMT pic.twitter.com/BuWH6mf4hg
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) May 16, 2019
Meanwhile, a local sheriff’s office will question whether the hospital, Christ Medical Center, violated state law by not reporting Figueroa, who claimed to be the boy’s mother but had shown no signs of having given birth.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement: “We will ask DCFS to advise if this unspeakably tragic set of facts was reportable by a mandated reporter. If they determine it was, we will ensure it is immediately investigated,” 6ABC reported.
Officials said that a medical worker also cleaned blood from the arms, face, and hands of Figueroa.
Family Of Marlen Ochoa Wants To Know Why Alleged Killer Was Allowed To Stay With Baby At Hospital https://t.co/zJWQ93ISoO pic.twitter.com/rcjLPHYNHM
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) May 21, 2019
The family of Ochoa-Lopez is also seeking answers.
“I’m just thinking in my own mind, if I see somebody coming in with a baby, with an umbilical and placenta, why does the mother look like she is good health, that has no blood, normal clothes. That doesn’t make logical sense to me,” family attorney Frank Avila was quoted by the ABC affiliate station as saying.
Christ Medical Center released a statement about the matter.
New details on the disappearance of Marlen Ochoa-Uriostegui, a pregnant 19-year-old missing since last month. Her newborn baby is on life support, but she’s still missing, and four persons of interest are being questioned. Via @mitchdudek, @mitchtrout: https://t.co/lnpAdPbP4A
— Nader Issa (@NaderDIssa) May 15, 2019
It said, “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Ochoa-Lopez family. Our clinical team is committed to meeting regularly with patients and families to ensure there is open dialogue about treatment paths. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we are unable to comment on the specific content covered during our time together.”
What’s more, a local organization, the League of United Latin American Citizens, said it will file a complaint against the Chicago Police Department. They have alleged that the family was mistreated when they investigated the teen’s disappearance.
“What happened to Ms. Ochoa was senseless and the offenders responsible are barbaric cowards. Since her initial disappearance, detectives worked this case thoroughly and we were all devastated to learn what happened,” Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told 6ABC. “We can’t help but take these cases personally and cannot begin to imagine the immense grief and suffering this family must be feeling. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the entire family and we will ensure that any complaint filed against the department is investigated independently and thoroughly.”
