Craigslist Stabbing Victim Showed She Was Proud ‘Mommy to Be’ Before Attack
Michelle Wilkins took to Facebook in anticipation of baby who didn’t survive.
-- The pregnant woman who was attacked after responding to a Craigslist ad is shown in her Facebook profile photo less than a month before the incident beaming in a rainbow tutu and proudly wearing a “Mommy to Be” sash.
Michelle Wilkins, 26, who police say was stabbed and had her baby stolen, went to high school in Guatemala and studied sustainable development at college in North Carolina, where she sold hand-made pottery, her family confirmed.
Wilkins, who was seven months pregnant, remains in the hospital but police said Thursday she is expected to recover. The baby did not survive.
"Thanks to everyone for the outpouring of sympathy and support," the Wilkins family said in a statement released Thursday evening. "Longmont first responders and the United Hospital staff saved our daughter’s life for which we will always be grateful.”
"We grieve for the many victims of this senseless attack, but mostly for a precious child whose life was ended before she had a chance to live," the statement read.
Wilkins was allegedly stabbed by a woman identified by police as Dynel Lane, who police say had posted on Craigslist that she was selling baby clothes.
Lane, who is married and has two teenage daughters, made a brief court appearance Thursday but has not yet entered a plea. Her attorney did not immediately return ABC News’ calls.
In spite of her injuries, Wilkins was able to make a call to 911 where she identified herself and told the operator the address of the home, police say.
Wednesday's attack was the second violent crime that took place in the community in a week, with another unrelated stabbing happening on Tuesday that left a man and his father dead.
"Our community’s senses were shocked as unimaginable and unforgettable similar but singular circumstances unfolded within hours of each other," Longmont Public Safety Chief Mike Butler wrote in a letter to the community.
"People from all over our community are questioning why these tragedies occurred and are saddened and scared about what happened.”
While Butler said at a news conference this afternoon he would not "sit here and diagnose that person specifically," he spoke at length about how their community needs to better address mental health issues.
"One of the underlying concerns, as we're seeing them in both of these cases, is mental illness," he said of the two stabbing cases.
ABC News' Clayton Sandell contributed to this report.