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Woman killed friend and cut out her baby
Ed Harris09.06.09
A woman is accused of killing a heavily pregnant woman and cutting open her abdomen to take her baby.
Korena Roberts, 27, is then said to have tried to pass the boy off as her own but the child died.
She has been charged with the murder of 21-year-old Heather Snively, who she befriended through a website.
Ms Snively's body was found at Roberts's home in Beaverton, Portland, with injuries to her head and stomach.
Medics had earlier been called to the house where they saw blood on the floor and Roberts's boyfriend trying to revive the infant.
Doctors, who were unable to revive the baby, determined that Roberts, had not given birth.
Police returned to Roberts's home and found the body of the mother hidden in a cupboard.
A medical examiner said Ms Snively, who was about eight months pregnant, died of "blunt and sharp force injuries".
Roberts's boyfriend is co-operating and does not face charges, the sheriff's office said.
"At this time, it has not been determined if she died because of head wounds she received or as a result of cutting injuries she received to her abdomen," a spokesman said.
A grand jury will hear the case and Roberts might also face charges in the infant's death - if laboratory tests determine he ever took a breath.
"The issue is, was the child alive at all at any point in time," said Washington County district attorney Bob Herman. "This is certainly unusual for its circumstances and nature."
Investigators said that Roberts, who has two other children, had been telling friends and relatives for months that she was pregnant, and told many people she would have twins.
Ms Snively had recently moved to Oregon from Maryland.
Her mother Heidi Kidd said her daughter met Roberts a few weeks ago through Craigslist, an online classified service. Roberts told her she was pregnant and wanted baby clothes. They befriended one another and kept talking online.
Mrs Kidd said the boy who died was to be named John Steven. "I'm still in shock. It hasn't hit me," she said. "I mean, that initial phone call. I just couldn't believe it. I just could not believe I was talking about my own child."
Neighbours said Roberts bought a pushchair at a garage sale and set up a crib on the front lawn of her home.
Reader views (4)
JESUS JESUS JESUS PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER WILL CHANGE THINGS MAY GOD BLESS BOTH FAMILIES
- Paris, GEORGIA ~UNS
How any 'woman' can do this to another woman is beyond comprehension. I agree it makes other murderers of heinous crimes look like saints. To cut a child from its womb is evil and revolting. The death penalty should be the only option for this animal.
- Anon, London
Makes mira hindley look like a saint
- Ge, Kernow
Jesus. Sick, sick, female.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
