Chicago Woman Sentenced in Case of Murder and Fetal Abduction

Clarisa Figueroa, a 51-year-old woman from Chicago, has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for a heinous crime involving a pregnant teenager. Figueroa pleaded guilty to murdering 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, whom she lured to her home under the pretense of giving away free baby clothes. This case has highlighted severe issues concerning violent crimes against women and the manipulation of maternal support networks.

Figueroa’s sentencing took place in a Cook County courtroom where she, appearing in a wheelchair and dressed in a bright yellow jumpsuit, responded affirmatively when asked by Judge Peggy Chiampas if she understood the conditions of her sentence, including the lack of eligibility for parole. This marked the end of a legal process that began nearly five years ago, bringing some closure to a disturbing episode of violence that resulted in the deaths of both Ochoa-Lopez and her baby.

Crime Details and Immediate Aftermath

The crime was perpetrated on April 23, 2019, when Figueroa used a cable to strangle Ochoa-Lopez, who was nine months pregnant at the time. After killing Ochoa-Lopez, Figueroa cut the baby from her womb with a butcher knife. In a macabre twist, Figueroa then called 911 and claimed she had given birth to a baby that wasn’t breathing, attempting to deceive first responders and take the baby as her own.

This gruesome act was part of a calculated plot by Figueroa, who had faked her own pregnancy after the death of her adult son. She had even gone so far as to orchestrate a fake pregnancy announcement on social media, posting ultrasound pictures and photos of a nursery. The connection between Figueroa and her victim began on a Facebook page for pregnant women, which Figueroa used to attract Ochoa-Lopez to her home.

Legal Outcomes and Family Impact

Yovanny Lopez, the husband of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, provided a heart-wrenching statement during the sentencing, detailing the profound impact this tragedy has had on him and their surviving child. He described the agony of holding his dying infant son in his arms, a memory that underscores the brutal reality of the crime committed against his family. These emotional testimonials highlighted the irreversible harm inflicted not only on the direct victims but also on their extended family and community.

In addition to Clarisa Figueroa’s sentencing, her daughter, Desiree Figueroa, was also involved in the crime. Desiree was sentenced to 30 years in prison earlier this year after pleading guilty to her part in the murder and agreeing to testify against her mother. The case also implicated Piotr Bobak, Figueroa’s boyfriend, who believed he was the father of the newborn and helped clean up the crime scene. He was sentenced to four years for obstruction of justice, as reported by AP News.