3 Charged After Missing Pregnant Teen Marlen Ochoa-Lopez Found Dead, Baby Cut From Womb

CHICAGO, IL — Three suspects have been arrested after the body of missing pregnant teenager Marlen Ochoa-Lopez was discovered in a trash bin, according to authorities. In addition to showing signs of strangulation, police said, it appeared that someone had cut Ochoa-Lopez open and removed the baby from her womb.

At a press conference, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson announced that Clarisa Figueroa, 46, and her daughter, Desiree Figueroa, 24, were charged with first-degree murder in the death of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez. The alleged victim was just 19 years old and nine months pregnant when she died.

In regard to the infant that was allegedly cut from Ochoa-Lopez’s womb, the suspects reportedly also face counts of felony aggravated battery to a child causing permanent disability. Police said that the baby is in “grave” condition, is showing no signs of brain activity, and is not expected to survive.

Superintendent Johnson alleged that Desiree Figueroa admitted to helping her mother strangle Ochoa-Lopez by wrapping a coaxial cable around the victim’s neck. He also said that Ochoa-Lopez’s remains were discovered in a garbage can on the Figueroas’ property.

Police additionally announced that Piotr Bobak, who’s described as Desiree’s 40-year-old boyfriend, has been charged with concealing a homicide.

After revealing the names of the suspects, Johnson noted that Clarisa Figueroa lost her adult son to natural causes two years ago, and he speculated that perhaps the suspects had hoped to “raise the child as their own.”

According to earlier reports, Clarisa called 911 on the day Ochoa-Lopez went missing, to report that she had just given birth and that the baby wasn’t breathing. Responders reportedly rushed the child to emergency care. Police said that DNA testing has revealed that infant to be the offspring of Ochoa-Lopez.

Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy told the press that Clarisa Figueroa personally knew Ochoa-Lopez and that, in April, the older woman lured the expectant mother to her home with an offer on Facebook to give her baby clothes and other items.

Once inside the Figueroa’s home, Murphy said, Desiree reportedly distracted Ochoa-Lopez with a photo album while Clarissa allegedly wrapped a cable around the teen’s neck and strangled her to death. Murphy further claimed that, as Ochoa-Lopez struggled, "Defendant Desiree then stepped up and began to peel the victim's fingers from the cable one by one."

After the baby was placed in intensive care, Murphy said, Clarisa set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the infant’s treatment. Murphy said that Piotr Bobak participated in the ruse by also claiming the baby was Clarisa's and linking to the GoFundMe site from his Facebook page.

In addition, Murphy said, when cops showed up to search Clarisa’s home on May 14, they reportedly spotted Bobak cleaning a rug with bleach.

Superintendent Johnson pointed out that Ochoa-Lopez’s family “should be celebrating the birth of a young baby. Instead, they’re mourning the loss of a mother and possibly that young child.”

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