Foetus horror - woman faces murder charges
A woman who had convinced her friends and even her husband she was expecting a baby murdered a young pregnant friend and carved the foetus from her womb, police said.
US prosecutors plan to file murder charges against Effie Goodson, who allegedly took the dead foetus to a hospital.
Her pregnant friend, Carolyn Simpson, 21, was found dead by a hunter in a field near Lamar, 100 miles from Oklahoma City on Friday. She had been shot in the head, her womb cut open and the six-month-old unborn child removed, authorities said.
Oklahoma prosecutor Linda Evans said she planned to file two murder charges against 37-year-old Goodson.
Mrs Simpson was last seen on December 22, leaving a casino in Okemah where she worked.
Investigators believe the pair left the casino together.
The next day Goodson allegedly took a foetus to a hospital in Holdenville, claiming to be the mother, police said.
But a medical examination showed that she had not given birth and she was arrested, authorities said.
A police spokesman said Goodson had falsely told friends she was pregnant as long as 10 months ago.
She had also convinced her husband that she was expecting a baby and the couple had even held a baby shower.
“I think anybody would agree she wanted a baby. She already had baby items. She was really set up for a baby,” the spokesman said.
He added that Goodson was being questioned further in the search for a motive.
Goodson would be charged with double murder if it could be determined that the baby was capable of surviving outside the womb, according to prosecutors.
Under Oklahoma state abortion law a foetus is presumed viable after the 24th week.
Goodson had known Mrs Simpson for about a month after being introduced by family members.
