New murder charges filed after death of infant cut from womb

Clarisa Figueroa, 46, and her daughter, Desiree Figuroa, 26, were charged with murder of Yovanny Lopez, the son of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. | Chicago police

Murder charges have been filed in the death of a newborn who authorities said was cut from his mother’s womb in April.

Clarisa Figueroa, 46, and her daughter, Desiree Figueroa, 24, were denied bail Thursday when they appeared for a hearing on new first-degree murder charges in the death of Yovanny Lopez, the son of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.

Both women pleaded not guilty last month to a 27-count indictment that included charges of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery of a child and dismembering a body in the brutal slaying of Ochoa-Lopez, who prosecutors said was lured to the Figueroa’s home in the Scottsdale neighborhood so the Figueroas could kill her and steal her unborn child.

But those original charges were filed before the infant died June 14, after he spent several weeks in the newborn intensive care unit at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. His death came from injuries he suffered from being deprived of oxygen as a result of being cut from his mother’s womb, prosecutors said.

The accused mother and daughter were led into the courtroom Thursday wearing bright yellow jumpsuits, with their hands and legs shackled.

Assistant public defenders again asked for a reasonable bail be set for Clarisa and Desiree Figueroa, noting their ties to the community and work history.

Judge Mary Marubio ordered both held without bail and set their next court dates for Aug. 6.

Clarisa Figueroa’s boyfriend, Piotr Bobak, faces charges of concealing a homicidal death and obstruction of justice for allegedly helping the two woman clean up the murder scene and is also being held without bail.

No new charges were announced Thursday against Bobak.

Yovanny Lopez died from severe brain damage weeks after being cut from his mother’s womb.