Police in Colombia are investigating the murder of a 21-year-old pregnant woman whose unborn baby was cut from her womb after she was kidnapped. The victim, identified as Maria Camila Potosi, disappeared on July 16 after leaving her home in Cali for a routine antenatal check, according to reports.
Discovery of the body
Officers found the woman's body on July 20, wrapped in sheets and under a pile of blankets. When they uncovered her, they discovered the child had been removed from her womb. A search has been launched for the missing baby.
CCTV footage from the afternoon of her disappearance captured her final known movements: she was seen climbing onto the back of a motorcycle ridden by a woman she knew. That woman has been spoken to by police.
Mother's plea
Maria’s mother, Alba Gomez, issued a plea for the return of her granddaughter, whom she has named Alahia. "The only thing I ask with this appeal and with the hopeful faith I hold that my baby is alive – is for her to be found," she said. "I ask that the people who have her search their hearts and return her to me."
On the day of her kidnapping, Maria had cared for an unwell family member at her sister-in-law’s home in Melendez before heading to her appointment. When she failed to return home, her husband raised the alarm.
