Life without parole for cutting baby from mother

FARGO: A North Dakota woman who earlier admitted killing a pregnant neighbour to get her baby did it by cutting the baby from the mother’s womb as she faded in and out of consciousness, prosecutors said on Friday.

Brooke Crews, 38, was sentenced to life in prison without parole in a hearing that for the first time detailed the August death of Savanna Greywind, 22, of Fargo.

Ashton Matheny, the baby’s father, said learning how his baby was born and his girlfriend died “tore me apart”.

Greywind’s mother, Norberta Lafontaine-greywind, fought back tears, but said she was satisfied with the sentence – the toughest Crews could have received.

Prosecutors said the two women argued and Greywind was pushed and briefly knocked out before Crews began cutting her. Greywind eventually bled to death, they said.

East Central District Judge Frank Racek cited the cruel nature of the crime in handing down the maximum sentence.

Crews, wearing orange prison clothing and cuffed at the wrists, cried as she read a statement of apology. She said she wished she could take the family’s pain.

“There is no excuse. There is no rationalisation. There is nothing,” she said. Later, she showed no emotion as the judge passed sentence.

Crews’ boyfriend, William Hoehn, faces a May trial in the case. He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors had cited his pending trial in withholding public details of Greywind’s death earlier.

Greywind was eight months pregnant when she disappeared in August, sparking extensive searches. Kayakers found her body wrapped in plastic in a river. The baby was found alive in the apartment Crews shared with Hoehn.

Crews initially claimed Greywind gave up her newborn.

Savanna’s Act, a bill in Congress aimed at protecting Native American women and girls from violence, abduction and human trafficking, is named for Greywind. – Afp/african News Agency (ANA)