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Pregnant Michigan Mother Found Dead in National Forest; Search Continues for Missing Infant as Family Members Arrested

Rebecca Park, 38 weeks pregnant, was identified as the woman found dead in Manistee National Forest on Nov. 25; an autopsy found she was no longer pregnant at death. Law enforcement agencies, including Michigan State Police and the FBI, are actively searching for the missing infant. Multiple arrests have been made: two family members were booked late Nov. 30–Dec. 1, and Park’s sister and fiancé were arrested shortly after the body was found. Authorities have not released Park’s cause of death and say details remain limited while the investigation continues.

Pregnant Michigan Mother Found Dead in National Forest; Search Continues for Missing Infant as Family Members Arrested

Authorities have identified the woman whose body was recovered in Manistee National Forest on Nov. 25 as Rebecca Park, a 38‑week pregnant mother who disappeared from her mother's home in Boon Township on Nov. 3. An autopsy determined Park was no longer pregnant at the time of her death. Investigators continue an active search for the infant.

Park was last seen shortly before midnight on Nov. 3 at her mother's residence, roughly 100 miles north of Grand Rapids. Her remains were located nearly three weeks later, three days after her expected delivery date.

Ongoing search and investigation

The Wexford County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) said multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Michigan State Police and the FBI, are assisting in efforts to locate the missing baby and to determine the circumstances surrounding Park’s death. The sheriff emphasized that limited information is being released while the investigation remains active.

"The Wexford County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple law enforcement agencies, is working diligently to determine the condition and potential whereabouts of the baby," Sheriff Trent Taylor said. "Because this is an active and ongoing investigation, the information that can be released is extremely limited at this time."

Arrests and charges

Wexford County jail records show two people were booked late on Nov. 30 and early Dec. 1 in connection with the case: Cortney Bartholomew, 40, at 11:40 p.m. on Nov. 30, and Bradly Bartholomew, 47, at 12:42 a.m. on Dec. 1. Officials have not publicly disclosed charges against them.

Separately, two other individuals remain in custody after arrests made soon after Park’s body was found. Park’s sister, Kimberly Park, 21, was arrested in the early morning of Nov. 26 and was arraigned the same day on counts of tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer and filing a false police report; her bail is set at $750,000.

Park’s fiancé, Richard Falor, 43, was arrested at about 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 and arraigned the following day on two counts of delivering methamphetamine; his bail is set at $1,000,000. It has not been publicly confirmed whether these arrests are directly related to the cause of Park’s death.

What remains unknown

Authorities have not released Park’s cause of death. Investigators continue to pursue leads and are asking anyone with information to contact the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office. The agency has requested patience from the public while it works to provide answers in this evolving and tragic case.

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