LONGMONT, Colo. — Michelle Wilkins, the seven months pregnant woman who was attacked and had her baby taken from her womb in a vicious attack earlier this month, thanked the public for its prayers and contributions, and said her unborn daughter Aurora “is a light being now.”
The statement was posted on the GoFundMe page set up in support of Wilkins.
“I wanted to thank everyone again for the prayers and positive thoughts that have been deeply felt and helped my healing. Also for your generous contribution to the gofundme account to help with expenses. I can already feel it’s going to be a long journey to physical and emotion recovery, but I am grateful for every person that has reached out to help in their own way. You have my eternal gratitude. Aurora is a light being now, nothing but ethereal joy and love. Forever in my heart.”
As of Monday morning, nearly $100,000 had been donated to Wilkins, 26.
Wilkins was responding to an ad on Craigslist for baby clothes on March 18 when Longmont police said the seller, Dynel Lane, attacked her, opened her womb and took the baby girl, leaving Wilkins bleeding in the basement.
Wilkins called 911 and was rescued by first responders. She had surgery at Longmont United Hospital and had been recovering. She was released from the hospital Wednesday and is “in a safe place,” according to her family.
Lane allegedly took the unborn fetus to Longmont United, saying she had miscarriage. The baby did not survive.
An autopsy performed on the 34-week fetus showed no signs of life outside of the womb, the Boulder County Coroner’s Office said Friday. There was also no evidence of trauma or injuries.
Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett said Thursday his office would not seek a murder charge against Lane.
Lane, 34, was formally charged Friday with eight felony counts, including attempted murder and unlawful termination of a pregnancy. She’s also charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and two counts of a crime of violence.
Lane, who is being held in the Boulder County jail in lieu of $2 million bail, is facing a maximum 48 years in prison on the attempted murder charge and 32 years on the charge of unlawful termination. She has a preliminary hearing May 5.