Podcast Summary: "Mother and Stepfather Charged With Cutting Out Unborn Baby From Daughter, Killing Both"

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode Date: December 3, 2025
Main Theme:
A harrowing coverage of the ongoing criminal case in Michigan, where a pregnant woman was found murdered, her baby cut out, and multiple family members—including her biological mother and stepfather—are under arrest. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes break down the sequence of events, the shocking family dynamics, charges, and open questions surrounding this tragic and unsettling case.

Episode Overview

Amy and T.J. dedicate this episode to the shocking and tragic homicide of Rebecca Park, a 22-year-old woman who was 38 weeks pregnant when she went missing. The episode explores the disturbing revelation that her own biological mother and stepfather are charged with her murder and the murder of her unborn child, whose body has yet to be located. They also discuss the related arrests of Rebecca’s sister and fiancé in a case marked by betrayals and devastating family tragedy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Background & Discovery

• Rebecca Park (22), missing since early November, found dead after 21 days; her baby had been cut from her womb (02:47–03:25).
• Her adoptive father discovered her body; community and family had been searching intensely (03:25).
• The crime was committed after Rebecca had already passed her due date; the baby was considered viable (04:39).

Notable Quote:

"Her father, her adopted father, found her on day 21 with her baby cut out of her womb. That is unimaginable."
— Amy Robach (03:25)

2. Family Dynamics & Arrests

• Rebecca was adopted as a child but had reconnected with her biological mother, Courtney Bartholomew, and stepfather, Brad Bartholomew (05:35).
• Both mother and stepfather are charged with first-degree murder and additional charges relating to the unborn child (05:35–06:59).
• Police specify these charges even without finding the baby's body, fueling further questions and speculation (04:39).

Notable Quote:

"Her biological mother and her stepfather are now in jail, are being charged with first degree murder and another charge for the murder of the unborn child."
— TJ Holmes (04:06)

List of Charges (per Amy Robach at 05:35):

• First-degree murder (premeditated)
• Felony murder
• Torture and conspiracy to commit torture
• Assault on a pregnant individual (intentionally causing miscarriage/stillbirth)
• Removing dead body without examiner’s permission
• Others relating to both Rebecca and her unborn child

3. Key Unanswered Questions

• The victim was last seen with her biological mother. The mother's initial statements to the police were misleading, including a fabricated story about Rebecca leaving in a car with an unknown driver (07:20–08:38).
• Police have not yet recovered the baby's body and have not clarified how they know the baby is deceased (04:39, 07:20, 21:22).

Notable Quote:

"There is an intense search underway right now to try and find the remains of this baby."
— Amy Robach (07:20)

4. Pregnancy and Homicide

• Discusses the broader, chilling context: Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women in the US, most often perpetrated by someone close to the victim (08:56).

Notable Quote:

"The leading cause of death for a pregnant woman is homicide. And those murders almost always take place at the hands of someone who purports to love that woman or that child."
— Amy Robach (08:57)

5. Additional Arrests: Sister & Fiancé

• Kimberly Park (Rebecca’s sister, 21): Arrested for tampering with evidence, lying to police, and filing a false report, shortly after Rebecca’s body was found. The charges may relate to this case, but it's not explicitly stated (17:03–18:53).
• Richard Fowler (Rebecca’s fiancé, 42/43): Arrested and charged with delivering methamphetamine. He had publicly appealed for the safe return of his fiancée and unborn child (19:06).
• All are being held at Wexford County Jail with high or no bond (19:06).

Notable Quote:

"All four of Rebecca Park's family members are now behind bars at the Wexford County Jail in a massive twist of events, after finding her in the state she was in."
— Amy Robach (19:06)

6. Community Response & Ongoing Investigation

• Massive search and outpouring of support from the local community in Wexford County, about 100 miles north of Grand Rapids, Michigan (09:30).
• Sheriff's office seeks public assistance and warns that information is still extremely limited due to the active investigation (20:41).

Notable Quote:

"The prosecutor in this case said this is frankly evil personified."
— Amy Robach (17:03)

Memorable Moments and Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|-------------| | 02:47–03:25 | Case Introduction: Crime details and the family tragedy laid out by T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach. | | 05:35 | Detailed explanation of family relations, adoption, and charges. | | 08:56 | Discussion of homicide as leading cause of death for pregnant women; relationship violence awareness. | | 09:30 | Amy on the community’s search efforts and adoptive family’s perspective. | | 12:14–12:39 | Teaser for information about sister and fiancé’s arrest (useful framing for the case’s complexity). | | 17:03–20:20 | Second segment: Sister and fiancé’s charges, theories on police motives, community and family impact. | | 20:41–21:22 | Sheriff’s office seeking help from the public; ongoing investigation. |

Closing Thoughts & Tone

Amy and T.J. present the story with respect and gravity, repeatedly describing the case as "unimaginable," "evil personified," and "as bad as it can get." They reflect on the vulnerability of pregnant women, the importance of community support, and the deep wounds inflicted on the family and society by such a crime. The tone is empathetic, somber, and focused on conveying both facts and emotional resonance, ending with a plea for gratitude and family connection.

Notable Closing Reflection:

"It makes me want to go hug my family and just be grateful for the love that is out there, because these are the kind of stories that really will chip away at your belief in... where we are as a society."
— Amy Robach (21:30)

Summary Table: Major Persons Involved

| Name | Relation to Rebecca | Role/Charges | |-----------------------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Rebecca Park | Victim | 22, eight months pregnant, found murdered | | Courtney Bartholomew | Biological Mother | Charged with first-degree murder, torture, fetus death | | Brad Bartholomew | Stepfather | Same charges as Courtney | | Stephanie Park | Adoptive Mother | Raised Rebecca, cared for her other children | | Kimberly Park | Sister | Arrested for evidence tampering, lying to police | | Richard Fowler | Fiancé | Charged with methamphetamine delivery |

Unresolved Questions

• What was the motive for the crime?
• How do police know the condition or fate of the unborn baby without having found remains?
• Are the sister’s and fiancé’s charges directly related to Rebecca’s death or other crimes?
• Will further details emerge to provide closure to the family and community?

For continued updates, Amy and T.J. urge listeners to stay tuned as the investigation unfolds.