The remains of a baby girl, reportedly cut from her mother’s womb, have been found in a wooded area in Colombia, authorities announced. The discovery follows the arrest of five individuals in connection with the murder of the mother, María Camila Potosí, who was eight months pregnant.
Investigators allege that the plot was orchestrated by Yulieth Angulo, a woman Potosí believed to be a friend. Angulo allegedly paid four members of a local street gang approximately 4 million Colombian pesos, about $1,265, to kidnap and murder Potosí to steal her unborn child.
Authorities stated that Angulo had befriended Potosí several months prior through a city-run program for expectant mothers, pretending to be pregnant herself. On July 16, Angulo accompanied Potosí to a prenatal appointment and then persuaded her to go out to purchase baby supplies. Surveillance footage captured the pair leaving on a motorcycle, with Potosí as a passenger. She was not seen alive again.
According to prosecutors, Angulo brought Potosí to a house in Cali's Alto de Polvorines neighborhood, where the four alleged gang members were waiting. Court documents reviewed by The Post indicate that Nitzon Mondragón, identified as one of the alleged gang members, fatally stabbed Potosí. Investigators believe the group then worked together to remove the baby from Potosí’s womb before attempting to clean the house to destroy evidence. Suspect Juan José Narváez is accused of transporting Potosí’s body to the La Buitrera neighborhood, nearly five miles away.
Potosí's body was discovered by the Meléndez River on July 20, bearing at least four stab wounds, with her baby already removed. The body was found concealed under multiple blankets.
Angulo was reportedly the first to be arrested after her family recognized her in surveillance video with Potosí and turned her over to authorities. Cali Metropolitan police commander Benavides confirmed that all five suspects were apprehended on Thursday in Cali and Tuluá.
DNA testing confirmed the identity of the infant and its mother, according to Ariel Emilio Cortés, director of Colombia’s Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences.
The five suspects have been charged with murder, kidnapping, and evidence tampering. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Colombian President-elect Adelardo de la Espriella commented on the case via X, calling the perpetrators less than human and advocating for stricter penalties for those convicted of murdering and abusing children.