María Camila Potosí, an eight-months-pregnant woman, was found dead on the banks of the River Meléndez in Cali, Colombia, after being reported missing on July 16. Her body showed signs of stabbing, and her baby had been removed from her womb. The infant, reportedly to be named Alahia and due in August, remains missing.
Discovery and Investigation
Police confirmed the discovery on July 26. Maj Alirio Acuna, Cali Police deputy head of criminal investigations, said: 'The body of a pregnant woman was found at kilometre 3 on the La Buitrera road, specifically on the banks of the River Meléndez. Preliminary findings suggest that the physical characteristics and clothing match those of the 21-year-old woman who had been reported missing since last Thursday, July 16.'
The young mother was last seen on CCTV climbing onto a motorcycle with an unidentified woman after attending a routine check-up at the Los Polvorines health centre. Ladera Health Network manager Diana Carolina stated: 'It was a routine consultation, in line with clinical practice guidelines. She arrived at our healthcare centre at around 9am. She entered the consultation room alone and underwent the necessary check-up.'
Family Plea
María's mother, Ana Rubi Gomez, made a desperate plea for the baby's safe return. She told La FM: 'The first thing I asked was whether the baby was still in her womb, and they told me no, that the baby wasn't there. That filled me with hope that the baby might still be alive. So I'm asking the public and the community to help me find my little girl.'
Family say María received a phone call from the woman later seen driving the motorcycle, and left her boyfriend's home to pick up baby gifts. The suspect had been met at a Cali center for expectant mothers.
Suspect Details
Carlos Rincón, a former boyfriend of the female suspect, posted a video on social media on July 24, stating that his ex-girlfriend did not return home the day María disappeared. He said she told him in January she was pregnant. 'I was excited about (her) pregnancy,' he said. 'And many people think I had something to do with it — the kidnapping and murder of the 21-year-old woman — because I had been the motorcyclist's partner. We had nothing to do with it. We knew nothing. My family was another victim. We trusted her, we believed in her.'
Authorities Respond
The Cali Ombudsman's Office demanded a thorough investigation and urged tracing the missing infant immediately. Officials stated that post-mortem findings confirming the baby's removal 'makes it even more urgent to clarify the facts and locate the newborn baby.' They added: 'As the Public Prosecutor's Office, we call on the Attorney General's Office and the relevant authorities to carry out all investigative measures as swiftly as possible and to put in place the necessary measures to locate the baby, ensuring the protection of her life and safety. We also urge members of the public to provide any information through official channels that may assist the investigation. Every minute counts.'
A $62,000 reward is offered for information leading to the baby and those responsible. Investigations are ongoing.
