Clarisa Figueroa, a Chicago woman, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 50 years in prison for cutting a pregnant teenager’s baby from her womb with a butcher knife nearly five years ago. Figueroa, who appeared in a wheelchair and yellow jumpsuit in court, was charged with strangling 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and calling 911 pretending she had given birth. Ochoa-Lopez was 9 months pregnant and the child died about two months after the incident. The victim’s husband, Yovanny Lopez, spoke in court about the devastating impact of the tragedy on their family.
Authorities revealed that after Clarisa Figueroa’s adult son passed away, she falsely claimed to be pregnant and plotted to acquire a newborn for months. She posted ultrasound images and baby room photos on her Facebook page and connected with Ochoa-Lopez on a pregnant women’s group on Facebook. Ochoa-Lopez went missing after visiting Figueroa’s home, and police discovered her body in a garbage can outside the Figueroa residence. DNA tests showed that the baby was not Figueroa’s, as she had claimed to family and boyfriend Piotr Bobak.
Desiree Figueroa, Clarisa’s daughter, informed the police that her mother had recently given birth after Ochoa-Lopez’s disappearance. The investigation revealed that Ochoa-Lopez had been lured to the Figueroa home under false pretenses, leading to her tragic death. Bobak, who was tricked by Clarisa into believing he was the baby’s father, helped clean up the crime scene and obstructed justice in the case. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison for his involvement in the cover-up.
Yovanny Lopez spoke in court about the deep emotional pain caused by the loss of his wife and infant son, expressing his grief over the memories of his son’s last breath in his arms. He also called for justice to be served upon Clarisa Figueroa, stating that she would face God’s justice on the day of her death. Figueroa’s guilty plea and sentencing marked the conclusion of a tragic case that shocked the Chicago community and sparked outrage over the brutal nature of the crime.
The murder of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez highlighted the dangers faced by pregnant women and the vulnerable position they can be placed in, especially when interacting with individuals who have malicious intentions. The case also shed light on the importance of thorough investigations and swift justice in ensuring that perpetrators of heinous crimes are held accountable for their actions. The sentencing of Clarisa Figueroa and Piotr Bobak served as a form of closure for the victim’s family and the community, bringing an end to a painful chapter in their lives.
