It was a case of fetal abduction, cruelty, and murder that made international news with gory headlines like "Fetus Snatcher" and "Womb Raider" in the Summer of 2009 involving two former neighbors of a Worcester, Massachusetts apartment building. One woman in her early twenties, the other in her mid-thirties, both pregnant, both struggling. Each seemed to lean on the promise of a new baby to offer a glimmer of hope in their relatively ordinary existence. Darlene Haynes was a 23-year-old mother of three, with a new baby on the way, whose innocence, trusting nature, and desire for friendship killed her. Her murderer was a another mother with a sick need so strong that she would commit a gruesome murder and steal her baby from her.  When Darlene was found dead in her apartment, it didn't take very long to figure out that the woman who'd been parading around with a premature infant and an absolutely implausible story was responsible.

(This story includes fetal abduction, fetal death, domestic violence, child abuse, miscarriage)

Crime of the Truest Kind
New England crime stories
Hosted by Anngelle Wood
Online: crimeofthetruestkind.com
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Thank you, Gary Murray, of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Godspeed.


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