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BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. –Michelle Wilkins told Dynel Lane “I love you” in an effort to stop the attack in which Wilkins’ unborn child was cut from her womb. That’s according to a detective investigating the case who testified at a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Lane is accused of attempted murder, unlawful termination of pregnancy and other crimes in the attack that happened March 18. A judge ruled Tuesday Lane will stand trial.

(Photo: Boulder County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office)

Lane, 34, was at the preliminary hearing in Boulder County Court Tuesday afternoon. Michelle Wilkins and her family were not there.

The attack happened in the basement at Lane’s home in Longmont. Wilkins, 26, was seven months pregnant with a baby girl. She went to Lane’s house to buy some baby clothes advertised on Craigslist.

A court brief filed ahead of Tuesday’s preliminary hearing alleged Lane stabbed Wilkins in the neck with a broken lava lamp, then choked and tried to smother Wilkins with a pillow. When Wilkins lost consciousness, prosecutors allege Lane used a knife to cut Wilkins open and remove the baby girl.

Wilkins survived the attack but her baby did not.

RELATED: Dynel Lane preliminary hearing brief

Longmont Police Detective Stacy Graham was the only witness who testified at Tuesday’s preliminary hearing. She said they were called on a possible stabbing. She responded to the hospital and to the ICU where Michelle Wilkins was receiving treatment.

Graham said Dynel Lane was also at the hospital. She was sitting on a bed in the maternity ward crying and holding a baby. The baby was not alive.

The detective testified that Lane asked Wilkins to go downstairs to see some baby clothes. She did. Wilkins told the detective that she was attacked from behind and hit with a bottle. She was stabbed in the neck with a piece of glass. The two struggled and Lane produced a knife according to Graham’s testimony.

Graham said Wilkins tried to stop the attack by telling Lane she loved her. Lane responded by saying, “If you love me, you will let me do this.”

The detective said Lane cut the baby out of Wilkins and put it in the bathtub upstairs. Lane’s husband came home and found the baby in the bathtub. Lane told him it was her baby and he rushed them both to the hospital.

Graham said he had no idea that Wilkins was in the basement bleeding.

When Graham talked to Lane, she said that Wilkins had attacked her.

Lane faces the following charges:

  • Attempted murder
  • Weapon used in violent crime
  • Violent crime that caused serious bodily injury
  • 2 counts of Assault causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon
  • 2 counts of Assault causing injury with a deadly weapon
  • Unlawful termination of a pregnancy

Wilkins’ family issued a statement following the hearing that reads in part:

“The Wilkins family deeply appreciates the support afforded to us by Stan Garnett and his team at the Boulder County District Attorney’s office. We are confident in their ability to successfully see that justice is carried out in a manner proportionate with the circumstances surrounding the attack on Michelle and the resulting tragic death of her soon to be born daughter Aurora. We endorse the charges chosen by the District Attorney and believe them to be correct and reflective of what is permissible under current Colorado law.”

See the rest of the family’s statement here.

The family says people continue to generously help Michelle with her recovery and expenses. There a GoFundMe page for online contributions.

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