Maria Camila Potosi, 21, was last seen getting onto a motorbike with an unknown woman in Cali, Colombia, before her body was found four days later
The people of Colombia have been left in shock after a young expectant mother was discovered dead along the banks of a river with her eight-month-old unborn baby reportedly cut from her womb.
María Camila Potosí was just 21 when she disappeared in the city of Cali on July 16. Following four days of intensive searching, her body was discovered near the River Meléndez.
Upon finding Maria’s body, authorities discovered her hands and feet had been restrained, she had suffered multiple stab wounds, and that her unborn child, who La FM reported would have been named Alahia, had been extracted from her womb.
The baby was expected to arrive in August and a baby shower for the child had been planned just days before the tragedy occurred.
In announcing the discovery of Maria’s body, the deputy head of criminal investigations for the Cali Police Maj Alirio Acuna, stated: “The body of a pregnant woman was found at kilometre 3 on the La Buitrera road, specifically on the banks of the River Meléndez.
“Preliminary findings suggest that the physical characteristics and clothing match those of the 21-year-old woman who had been reported missing since last Thursday, July 16.”
Maria was last observed boarding a motorbike with a woman who, at the time of writing, remains unidentified.
According to Noticias Caracol, Maria had just attended a check-up at the Los Polvorines health center in southern Cali before mounting a motorbike that was recorded on CCTV.
Discussing the appointment Maria attended hours before her death, Diana Carolina, manager of the Ladera Health Network, stated: “It was a routine consultation, in line with clinical practice guidelines.
“She arrived at our healthcare centre at around 9 am. She entered the consultation room alone and underwent the necessary check-up.”
Maria’s mother, Ana Rubi Gomez, has appealed for the baby’s return, urging the public to assist in locating her granddaughter.
She told La FM: “The first thing I asked was whether the baby was still in her womb, and they told me no, that the baby wasn’t there.
“That filled me with hope that the baby might still be alive. So I’m asking the public and the community to help me find my little girl.”
After Maria’s body was discovered, the Cali Ombudsman’s Office has demanded the investigation into her death be conducted swiftly and effectively.
Additionally, they emphasized the urgency of locating the missing baby as quickly as possible in case the infant is still alive.
They reportedly stated the post mortem result showing the baby’s removal “makes it even more urgent to clarify the facts and locate the newborn baby”.
They continued: “As the Public Prosecutor’s Office, we call on the Attorney General’s Office and the relevant authorities to carry out all investigative measures as swiftly as possible and to put in place the necessary measures to locate the baby, ensuring the protection of her life and safety.
“We also urge members of the public to provide any information through official channels that may assist the investigation. Every minute counts.”
The inquiry into Maria’s death remains ongoing.