BOULDER, Colo. — An autopsy performed on the 34-week fetus that was cut out of Michelle Wilkins during an attack earlier this month showed no signs of life outside of the womb, the Boulder County Coroner’s Office said Friday.
“At this time neither the autopsy or the investigation have provided any evidence that the baby exhibited any signs of life outside of the womb, therefore the circumstance is not being considered a live birth,” Boulder County Coroner Emma Hall said in a news release.
“No evidence of trauma or injuries were found on the body. Final autopsy results will be released once all testing and further studies are complete.”
Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said Thursdayhis office would not seek a murder charge against Dynel Lane, the woman who is accused in attacking Wilkins.
Wilkins, who was seven months pregnant,was responding to an ad on Craigslist for baby clothes on March 18 when Longmont police said the seller, Lane, attacked her, opened her womb and took the baby girl, leaving Wilkins bleeding in the basement.
Wilkins called 911 and was rescuedby first responders. She had surgery at Longmont United Hospital and had been recovering. She was released from the hospitalWednesday.
Lane allegedly took the unborn fetus to Longmont United, saying she had miscarriage. She was later arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and child abuse knowingly/recklessly resulting in death.
Garnett has scheduled a news conference Friday afternoon to announce which charges will be filed against Lane, a former nurse’s aide. Lane, 34, is being held on a $2 million bond and is due in court at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
Garnett said last week that it would be hard to bring a murder charge because Colorado state law does not recognize a fetus as a person unless it is capable of surviving for a period of time outside the womb.
