Cadillac, Michigan – A Michigan mother charged with murdering her pregnant daughter returned to court this week, pleading to be released from jail so she could care for her teenage son. Prosecutors argued she remains a danger to the public, and the judge agreed.
Accused mother asks to be freed to care for 14-year-old son
Cortney Bartholomew, 40, faces first-degree murder, torture, and assault of a pregnant person causing miscarriage or stillbirth in the death of her 22-year-old daughter, Rebecca Park, who was nearly full term at the time of her killing. During a bond hearing at the Wexford County Courthouse, Bartholomew tearfully asked to be released, saying she is the only caregiver for her 14-year-old son and suffers from health problems.
“I just need to be able to take care of him. I’m the only one that has custody of him,” she told the court, according to MLive’s report integrated into the proceeding summary.
Her request was denied.
Judge rules she is a danger to the community
District Judge Corey J. Wiggins said the allegations, combined with evidence presented by prosecutors, showed Bartholomew poses both a flight risk and a threat to public safety.
“While I understand there are some health conditions and the concern for a minor child, the fact remains that Mrs. Bartholomew is a flight risk and a danger to the community, so I will continue to hold her without bond,” the judge ruled.
Her husband, 47-year-old Bradly Bartholomew, faces identical charges.
Timeline of the disappearance and homicide
Park, roughly 38 weeks pregnant, vanished on November 3 after being seen getting into a vehicle outside her home near Cadillac. She had recently received $2,000 in inheritance funds, family said. Officials launched a widespread search.
On November 25, investigators located her body along a hiking trail deep in the Manistee National Forest in Boon Township, a small rural area about 35 miles south of Traverse City. The baby was not found.
For weeks, investigators withheld details about how Park died. That changed during this week’s bond hearings.
Prosecutor outlines “premeditated torture and murder”
Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey revealed the chilling allegations, calling the case “premeditated” and “evil personified.”
According to prosecutors, evidence shows the couple:
- Lured Rebecca to their home
- Forced her into another vehicle
- Drove her deep into the woods
- Stabbed her
- Forced her to the ground
- Cut the baby out, killing both mother and child
“This is a case of premeditated torture and murder,” Carey said, detailing the alleged planning and research prosecutors believe occurred before the attack.
Authorities still have not recovered the baby’s remains.
Related arrests of fiancé and sister
Before the Bartholomews were charged, two other family members were taken into custody on unrelated criminal accusations connected to the investigation.
Rebecca’s fiancé, Richard Falor, 43, faces two counts of methamphetamine delivery. Her sister, Kimberly Park, 21, was arrested on charges including evidence tampering, lying to police during a violent-crime investigation, and filing a false felony report.
Both were initially given high bonds — $1 million for Falor and $750,000 for Kimberly — because they were deemed flight risks. On Thursday, their bonds were reduced to $5,000 each, and both were released after posting bail.
Court limits livestream due to national attention
During early hearings, Judge Wiggins halted livestreaming, citing overwhelming national interest and the need to ensure a fair trial for the defendants.
“The court has an ethical duty to ensure that the defendants in these cases can have a fair trial,” he said, acknowledging the widespread publicity.
Family devastated as motive remains unknown
A motive has not been publicly identified. Park was adopted as an infant, family members said.
Her adoptive mother described the grief the family is facing as details emerge.
“I’m heartbroken, crushed. I have to remain strong,” she said, adding that the family had feared a tragic outcome but not one this horrific.
Investigators continue searching for the missing baby and processing evidence as the case moves toward trial.
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