A woman holds a fake fetus during a rally against the draft law of the Chilean government which seeks to legalize abortion, in Santiago, March 23, 2015.
A woman holds a fake fetus during a rally against the draft law of the Chilean government which seeks to legalize abortion, in Santiago, March 23, 2015. Reuters/Ivan Alvarado

Dynel Lane may possibly get away with murder for allegedly slitting through a pregnant woman’s stomach and cupping out the unborn foetus from its womb in Boulder County, Colorado, said Stanley Garnett, the state’s prosecutor. Lane, 34, is currently in custody and allowed bail at U$2 million [$2.6 million].

The crime was orchestrated when the 7-month pregnant Michelle Wilkins responded to a March 18-ad on Craigslist selling baby clothes. She said that when she reached the house of Lane in Longmont, the latter began attacking and beating her. Then her belly was cut-open and her foetus was taken out. It was said that the baby did not survive.

A Mother’s Strength

The news about her attack stunned her community, but at the same time, she was admired for her unique strength. Wilkins further related that after she was attacked and was still bleeding, she was able to reach the house’s basement and lock herself up. She did things that would help slow down the bleeding while calling 911. Bill Sawyer, the officer who responded, told the media Wilkins was strong as she was able to clearly give directions to her locations, although he and his companion were not ready for the gruesome scenario.

“She was covered in blood, Sawyer told CNN, adding the victim reached out for his hand. She had no idea she already lost her baby. Sawyer was impressed by how Wilkins survived her ordeal. If there is anything that helped her make it alive, it was only her according to the police officer.

There Is No Crime When There Is No Law Punishing It

The injury caused to Wilkins and probably to several others is a living testament of the loopholes that plague the current sets of laws in Colorado. The prosecutor lamented murder can hardly be charged against Lane because the Colorado state law has a specific definition of a person. In Colorado, a foetus is considered a person only when it survives for a certain period outside the womb. But as to how long it should survive outside the womb, the law is silent about it.

David Ridley, the victim’s husband told the police he found the foetus breathing in a bathtub on the day of the crime. According to him, Wilkins was already discharged from the hospital and is "in a safe location surrounded by family and friends." To raise funds for her care, Wilkin's family started a cause on GoFundMe, aiming to gather U$75,000. They have currently collected U$73,000.

For comments or feedback on the article, please contact the writer at selivak@ibtimes.com.au.

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