Horrific Attack on Pregnant Woman Answering Craigslist Ad Leaves Baby Dead

Suspect allegedly lured victim by claiming to sell baby clothes on Craigslist.

ByABC News
March 19, 2015, 12:42 PM

— -- A pregnant woman was attacked after responding to an ad on Craigslist for baby clothes, according to police.

The suspect allegedly lured the seven-months-pregnant woman to a Longmont home Wednesday afternoon, beat her, cut out her baby and stole the child, authorities said. Police say they arrested the suspect when she allegedly arrived at a hospital with the dead child.

The expectant mother was able to call police to come rescue her and she is being treated for her injuries and is expected to survive, Longmont police Cmdr. Jeff Satur told ABC News.

"She is alert, answering questions and is with family," Satur said of the victim.

The suspect has been identified in the probable cause affidavit as Dynel Catrece Lane, 34

Lane and her husband allegedly arrived at the Longmont United Hospital, claiming Lane had had a miscarriage, KMGH reported. The husband has not been identified by police and has not been charged in connection with the incident. His role in the alleged attack, if any, is unclear.

Lane was arrested at 7:46 p.m. Wednesday, about five hours after police responded to a call placed by the victim from the house where she was attacked.

PHOTO: A woman is accused of attacking pregnant woman in Longmont, Colorado after responding to a Craigslist ad is expected in court, March 19, 2015.
A woman is accused of attacking pregnant woman in Longmont, Colorado after responding to a Craigslist ad is expected in court, March 19, 2015.
PHOTO: A woman is accused of attacking pregnant woman in Longmont, Colorado after responding to a Craigslist ad is expected in court, March 19, 2015.
A woman is accused of attacking pregnant woman in Longmont, Colorado after responding to a Craigslist ad is expected in court, March 19, 2015.

Lane reportedly holds an expired nurse’s aide license in Colorado and has at least two other children, according to ABC News affiliate KMGH.

Lane faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, first degree assault, and child abuse resulting in death, though more charges may be added in relation to the death of the child. If it’s proven that the attack caused the child’s death, Lane could face a homicide charge.

Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said at a news conference today the baby will undergo an autopsy to help determine whether the baby lived outside its mother.

"Under Colorado law essentially there's no way that murder charges can be brought unless ...[it is] established that the fetus lived outside the mother," Garnett said.

The 26-year-old victim, whose name has not been released, did not know Lane prior to the Wednesday attack, Satur, the Longmont police commander, said. She was found in the basement of the home where she was attacked. Police said they found that she had been beaten.

Police released a recording of the 911 call, in which the victim is heard telling the operator that she did not know the suspect's name and had been stabbed with a knife and broken glass.

Investigators are seeking the public’s help to determine whether any other expectant mothers had responded to the suspect's ad.

Lane was scheduled to make her first court appearance this afternoon.

Craigslist has been used several times in the past to lure unsuspecting would-be victims. Last month, a college student in Georgia was killed after authorities said he responded to an ad for an iPhone 6.

Craigslist did not immediately respond to an ABC News’ request for comment.

ABC News' Clayton Sandell contributed to this report.