Texan Woman Faces Death Sentence For Cutting Baby From Friend's Womb
A Texan lady is on trial for the murder of her pregnant friend and the attempted theft of the unborn child by ripping the baby from her womb.
Taylor Rene Parker, 29, was found guilty in the gruesome murder of Reagan Micelle Simmons-Hancock, 21, and her infant daughter in their New Boston home in October 2020.
Bowie County court heard that Taylor Rene Parker struck Reagan Michelle Simmons-Hancock in the head before slashing her open from "hip to hip" while she was 34 weeks pregnant.
“It was no quick death,” Lauren Richards, the assistant district attorney, said of the attack in October 2020.
“When Taylor had the baby, and Reagan was still alive, that’s when Taylor started slashing and cutting. She couldn’t leave her alive. It was no quick death. She just kept cutting her. I guess Reagan would not die fast enough for Taylor to get out of there and get on with her plans.”
The jury was told that Ms Simmons-Hancock, age 21, was likely still alive after the baby was surgically removed from her womb. She later collapsed and died in front of her young daughter, who was only three years old.
Unfortunately, the baby who was taken from Simmons-Hancock's womb ended up passing away, too.
Parker, a mother of two at age 29, had a hysterectomy and testified in court that she could not conceive again. She examined footage of premature births at 35 weeks and read articles about how to fake a pregnancy.
In the months leading up to the murder, the prosecution claimed that she faked a pregnancy by dressing the part, getting an ultrasound, posting about her "pregnancy" on social media, and even holding a gender reveal for her phoney kid, all in the bid not to lose her boyfriend.
She told the man she was being induced on the day she attacked Ms Simmons-Hancock, the prosecution claims.
Parker attempted to flee the scene after stealing the infant, but was caught speeding by a Texas State Trooper. Parker allegedly informed the police officer that she had given birth on the side of the road and was on her way to the hospital.
Parker and the infant were sent to McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma, but the employees there reportedly became suspicious when she refused medical attention for herself or the baby. The infant tragically passed away in the hospital.
Mrs. Richards called Parker a "liar" and "manipulator" who would be made to answer for her actions. After three weeks of often graphic testimony, the jury of six men and six women reached their decision.
For the purpose of having the capital murder accusation reduced to murder, the defendant's defense team attempted to have the kidnapping charge dropped. They said that since the baby was never alive, it could not have been taken.
However, the prosecution said that multiple doctors testified that the baby was born with a heartbeat. Although the prosecution is asking for the death penalty, the jury also has the option of recommending a life sentence without the possibility of parole.