Topline: Prosecutor says the couple planned the attack and cut the baby from the victim after stabbing her to death.
Published: December 3, 2025 10:00 am ET
Gavin Fish
I'm the founder of CrimeCod and I run a true crime YouTube channel you might be interested in.
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Cortney Bartholomew, Brad Bartholomew (Wexford County Sheriff's Office)
CADILLAC, Mich. — The mother and stepfather of 22-year-old Rebecca Park are charged with murder after prosecutors said they forced her into the woods in Northern Michigan, stabbed her, and cut out her full-term baby, causing both deaths, Law&Crime reported.
Rebecca Park was reported missing on November 3 from her home near Cadillac, according to Wexford County authorities. Searchers found her body on November 25 along a hiking trail in the Manistee National Forest in Boon Township. The infant was not found, investigators said.
Prosecutors said the victim was about 38 weeks pregnant at the time she was killed.
Park’s stepfather, 47-year-old Bradly Bartholomew, and her mother, 40-year-old Cortney Bartholomew, were arrested Monday on charges including murder, torture, and assault of a pregnant person causing a miscarriage or stillbirth, according to MLive.
“This is a case of premeditated torture and murder,” Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey said. Carey said the pair created a plan, conducted research, and forced Park into a vehicle before taking her into the woods and stabbing her. Carey said she was forced to lie on the ground while they cut out her baby. Carey characterized the crime as “evil personified.”
Law enforcement has not recovered the baby’s body.
According to earlier reports from multiple Michigan news outlets, Park was last seen getting into a vehicle with her mother after receiving $2,000 in inheritance. That was the same day she disappeared.
Following the discovery of Park’s remains, police arrested her fiance, 43-year-old Richard Falor, on drug charges, and her sister, 21-year-old Kimberly Park, on charges that include tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer, and filing a false felony report, according to WWMT. Their cases remain pending. Prosecutors have not said the charges are linked to the killing.
A judge set Falor’s bond at $1MM and Kimberly Park’s bond at $750,000, according to WWMT, citing concerns they could flee. The judge then removed cameras from the courtroom, citing national media attention and the right of defendants to a fair trial, according to UpNorthLive.
Family members told reporters they are devastated.
“I am heartbroken, crushed,” Park’s adoptive mother told WWMT. She said she is trying to stay strong for Park’s younger siblings.
Authorities have not released a possible motive.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Mother And Stepfather Accused Of Forcing Pregnant Daughter Into Woods Then Killing Her And Her Baby
Prosecutor says the couple planned the attack and cut the baby from the victim after stabbing her to death.
By Gavin Fish
Published: December 3, 2025 10:00 am ET
Cortney Bartholomew, Brad Bartholomew (Wexford County Sheriff's Office)
CADILLAC, Mich. — The mother and stepfather of 22-year-old Rebecca Park are charged with murder after prosecutors said they forced her into the woods in Northern Michigan, stabbed her, and cut out her full-term baby, causing both deaths, Law&Crime reported.
Rebecca Park was reported missing on November 3 from her home near Cadillac, according to Wexford County authorities. Searchers found her body on November 25 along a hiking trail in the Manistee National Forest in Boon Township. The infant was not found, investigators said.
Prosecutors said the victim was about 38 weeks pregnant at the time she was killed.
Park’s stepfather, 47-year-old Bradly Bartholomew, and her mother, 40-year-old Cortney Bartholomew, were arrested Monday on charges including murder, torture, and assault of a pregnant person causing a miscarriage or stillbirth, according to MLive.
“This is a case of premeditated torture and murder,” Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey said. Carey said the pair created a plan, conducted research, and forced Park into a vehicle before taking her into the woods and stabbing her. Carey said she was forced to lie on the ground while they cut out her baby. Carey characterized the crime as “evil personified.”
Law enforcement has not recovered the baby’s body.
According to earlier reports from multiple Michigan news outlets, Park was last seen getting into a vehicle with her mother after receiving $2,000 in inheritance. That was the same day she disappeared.
Following the discovery of Park’s remains, police arrested her fiance, 43-year-old Richard Falor, on drug charges, and her sister, 21-year-old Kimberly Park, on charges that include tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer, and filing a false felony report, according to WWMT. Their cases remain pending. Prosecutors have not said the charges are linked to the killing.
A judge set Falor’s bond at $1MM and Kimberly Park’s bond at $750,000, according to WWMT, citing concerns they could flee. The judge then removed cameras from the courtroom, citing national media attention and the right of defendants to a fair trial, according to UpNorthLive.
Family members told reporters they are devastated.
“I am heartbroken, crushed,” Park’s adoptive mother told WWMT. She said she is trying to stay strong for Park’s younger siblings.
Authorities have not released a possible motive.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mother And Stepfather Accused Of Forcing Pregnant Daughter Into Woods Then Killing Her And Her Baby
Prosecutor says the couple planned the attack and cut the baby from the victim after stabbing her to death.
By Gavin Fish
Published: December 3, 2025 10:00 am ET
Cortney Bartholomew, Brad Bartholomew (Wexford County Sheriff's Office)
CADILLAC, Mich. — The mother and stepfather of 22-year-old Rebecca Park are charged with murder after prosecutors said they forced her into the woods in Northern Michigan, stabbed her, and cut out her full-term baby, causing both deaths, Law&Crime reported.
Rebecca Park was reported missing on November 3 from her home near Cadillac, according to Wexford County authorities. Searchers found her body on November 25 along a hiking trail in the Manistee National Forest in Boon Township. The infant was not found, investigators said.
Prosecutors said the victim was about 38 weeks pregnant at the time she was killed.
Park’s stepfather, 47-year-old Bradly Bartholomew, and her mother, 40-year-old Cortney Bartholomew, were arrested Monday on charges including murder, torture, and assault of a pregnant person causing a miscarriage or stillbirth, according to MLive.
“This is a case of premeditated torture and murder,” Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey said. Carey said the pair created a plan, conducted research, and forced Park into a vehicle before taking her into the woods and stabbing her. Carey said she was forced to lie on the ground while they cut out her baby. Carey characterized the crime as “evil personified.”
Law enforcement has not recovered the baby’s body.
According to earlier reports from multiple Michigan news outlets, Park was last seen getting into a vehicle with her mother after receiving $2,000 in inheritance. That was the same day she disappeared.
Following the discovery of Park’s remains, police arrested her fiance, 43-year-old Richard Falor, on drug charges, and her sister, 21-year-old Kimberly Park, on charges that include tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer, and filing a false felony report, according to WWMT. Their cases remain pending. Prosecutors have not said the charges are linked to the killing.
A judge set Falor’s bond at $1MM and Kimberly Park’s bond at $750,000, according to WWMT, citing concerns they could flee. The judge then removed cameras from the courtroom, citing national media attention and the right of defendants to a fair trial, according to UpNorthLive.
Family members told reporters they are devastated.
“I am heartbroken, crushed,” Park’s adoptive mother told WWMT. She said she is trying to stay strong for Park’s younger siblings.
Authorities have not released a possible motive.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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