Cortney Bartholomew, a 40-year-old woman from Boon, Michigan, has been found competent to stand trial for one of the state’s most disturbing recent criminal cases. Bartholomew is accused of killing her pregnant daughter, Rebecca Park, and cutting out her unborn baby.
After a court-ordered evaluation confirmed that Bartholomew understands the legal proceedings and can assist in her defense, she is now scheduled for a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
The Crime
Bartholomew and her husband, Bradly Bartholomew, 47, are accused of the November 2025 killing of Rebecca Park, Cortney’s 22-year-old biological daughter. Park, who was about 38 weeks pregnant, disappeared on November 3, 2025. Her body was discovered weeks later in the Manistee National Forest, not far from the Bartholomew couple’s home in Wexford County.
Investigators allege that the couple lured Park to their home, forced her into a vehicle, and drove her to a remote wooded area. There, Park was reportedly stabbed repeatedly.
Prosecutors say that Cortney Bartholomew used a scalpel to cut the baby from Park’s womb while Park was still alive. Bradly Bartholomew is accused of restraining Park during the attack. The baby did not survive, and authorities say the infant’s remains were disposed of.
The Charges
Both Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew face a total of eight serious charges:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- Felony murder
- Torture
- Conspiracy to commit torture
- Assault on a pregnant individual with intent to cause miscarriage or stillbirth
- Conspiracy to commit that assault
- Unlawful imprisonment
- Removal of a dead body without authorization
Several of these charges carry possible life sentences, with prosecutors describing the killing as “pure evil.”
Evidence Against the Bartholomews
Prosecutors claim that digital evidence, including cell phone data, undermined the Bartholomews’ initial denials of involvement in the crime. A probable cause affidavit indicates that Cortney later admitted to cutting out the baby. The gruesome nature of the crime and the evidence against the couple have shocked the community and authorities alike.
Legal Proceedings and Upcoming Hearings
While the defense had previously sought to dismiss the case, arguing that prosecutors were late in turning over evidence, the judge ruled to keep the charges in place, allowing the case to proceed. With Cortney Bartholomew now found competent, the focus shifts to the preliminary hearing, which will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to move forward to trial.
The upcoming hearings will play a critical role in shaping the timeline for when a jury will hear the disturbing details of this case.
