Mother Accused Of Killing Her 38-Week Pregnant Daughter And Removing Unborn Baby; New Affidavits Allege Affairs And Family Involvement

Newly unsealed court documents in Michigan outline shocking allegations surrounding the disappearance and death of 22-year-old Rebecca Park, who vanished at 38 weeks pregnant on Nov. 3. Her body was recovered on Nov. 25, and authorities say the fetus was missing. The filings allege Rebecca’s biological mother, Cortney Bartholomew, 40, murdered her daughter and removed the unborn child from her womb; Cortney and her husband, Bradly Bartholomew, 47, now face multiple felony counts.

What The Affidavits Allege

Probable cause affidavits obtained by PEOPLE and filed by the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office say several members of Rebecca’s family were romantically involved with the same man — Rebecca’s fiancé, 43-year-old Richard Falor. Investigators say Falor allegedly had intimate relationships with both Rebecca’s sister, 21-year-old Kimberly Park, and with Cortney.

Rebecca Kay Falor/FacebookRebecca Park

Timeline And Key Statements

According to the court records, Rebecca disappeared on Nov. 3. Her remains were located in the Manistee National Forest on Nov. 25. Kimberly told investigators she was in a relationship with Falor on Nov. 24, the day before Rebecca’s body was found. Kimberly initially provided accounts to detectives that shifted over the course of the investigation, at one point saying Rebecca died after a seizure following an assault and later alleging Falor admitted to killing Rebecca and said “something went wrong while trying to cut the baby out of Rebecca.”

Those statements prompted authorities to briefly arrest Falor on an open murder allegation; investigators later said they found no evidence to support those specific assertions and Falor was arraigned on a drug charge and released when charges were filed against Cortney and Bradly.

Missaukee County Sheriffs OfficeBradly Bartholomew

Cortney’s Statements And Other Evidence

In interviews, Cortney acknowledged an affair with Falor and described complicated relationship dynamics: she said she began a relationship with Falor after he and Rebecca split, contemplated leaving her husband for him, then said Falor later resumed a relationship with Rebecca. Court documents also record Cortney’s allegations that Falor came to her home intending to shoot Bradly and that he sexually assaulted her, causing a miscarriage of a pregnancy she said she had.

Investigators uncovered additional material they cite in arresting Cortney and Bradly, including a photo of an $18,000 check Cortney allegedly sent to Rebecca on the day she disappeared, text messages in which Cortney claimed to have given birth to a son who was briefly hospitalized and then died shortly after Rebecca’s murder, and cellphone location data that placed Cortney and Bradly near the site where Rebecca’s body was found.

Wexford County Sheriff's OfficeRichard Falor

Charges And Prosecutor’s Statement

Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey urged a judge not to grant bail to Cortney and Bradly, describing the allegations as "evil personified" and saying prosecutors believe Rebecca was transported to the family home, forced into another vehicle, taken into the woods, stabbed, and forced to lie on the ground while her unborn baby was removed. Carey characterized the case as premeditated torture and murder and said investigators believe the Bartholomews planned the crime.

Charges: Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew each face six felony counts — first-degree murder, felony murder, torture, conspiracy to commit torture, assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage or stillbirth, and conspiracy to commit that assault — each carrying a possible life sentence. They are also charged with unlawful imprisonment and removal of a dead body.

Kimberly Park is charged with tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer and filing a false police report. Her bail was reduced from $750,000 to $5,000 and she is under house arrest. Public defenders for Kimberly and Falor did not respond to requests for comment.

Investigation Status

Investigators say the case remains under active development, with authorities relying on affidavits, phone records, witness statements and other evidence gathered during the probe. All accused parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.