Chicago – A woman in Chicago, Illinois was sentenced on Thursday for her involvement in the murder of a pregnant teenager and the theft of her baby. Desiree Figueroa, 29, and her mother, Clarissa Figueroa, were convicted of luring 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez to their home under false pretenses in 2019. The pair then proceeded to strangle Ochoa-Lopez, cut her baby from her womb, and ultimately left her body in a garbage can outside their residence. Clarissa claimed the baby as her own, who tragically only lived for two months.
Desiree Figueroa received a reduced sentence of 30 years after agreeing to testify against her mother. In contrast, Clarissa Figueroa was sentenced to 50 years in prison last month. However, Ochoa-Lopez’s family expressed dissatisfaction with the sentences, believing they do not match the severity of the crime. The victim’s husband, unable to face Desiree in court, delivered a statement expressing the profound loss and pain inflicted on their family.
“This is a heinous act that took away a loving mother and inflicted unimaginable pain on our family,” the victim’s husband’s statement read. “No sentence can bring Marlen back or undo the harm caused, but we feel that justice has not been fully served.” The case has stirred emotions of shock and horror throughout Chicago, prompting discussions about the need for stricter penalties in cases of such heinous crimes.
The sentencing of Desiree Figueroa marks a chapter in a tragic story that has gripped the city and attracted nationwide attention. The details of the crime continue to haunt those who followed the case, reflecting the brutal and callous nature of the actions taken by the Figueroa women. Despite the legal proceedings, the emotional wounds left by the loss of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez linger, a reminder of the devastating impact of their actions on a young family. The community seeks solace in the pursuit of justice and hopes for healing in the face of such profound tragedy.