NEW BOSTON, TEXAS: A 27-year-old man was captured by police after he reportedly killed a pregnant woman by cutting her unborn baby out of her womb.
Taylor Rene Parker is facing charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping after the death of Reagen Hancock a week ago, according to reports.
Police were called about the incident a little after 10 am Friday on Austin Street, New Boston.
Hancock was almost 9 months pregnant, expecting a baby girl next month, said her mother, Jessica, who wanted to be referred by her first name only.
The birth was due November 10, even though she “started seeing signs that she was so close to having her,” Jessica told Fox News.
Reagan Hancock already had one 3-year-old daughter named Kynlee.
Authorities said an investigation found that the unborn baby had been cut out from her body. Hancock’s mother found her dead in the house.
“We just want our beautiful baby remembered and known for the amazing person she was and for people to see she did not deserve this,” Jessica said.
TRAGIC: Reagan Hancock, 22 seven months pregnant died when her unborn child was cut from her womb in Texas. According to her family her assailant had been her friend. The attacker took the baby to a hospital where the baby died. The suspect has been taken into police custody. pic.twitter.com/npjfUEfUZT
— Apex World News (@apexworldnews) October 12, 2020
Earlier this summer, the proud mother announced on social media she was expecting a “sweet babygirl” which she named Braxlynn Sage.
some of you know, some of you dont… but we are having another SWEET BABYGIRL come november the 10th (give or take)….
Posted by Reagan Hancock on Sunday, August 16, 2020
A PayPal fundraiser said,
“Reagan Hancock and her unborn baby were selfishly killed by someone Reagan considered a friend.”
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Parker ran off with the child and his vehicle was stopped on the side of the road in De Kalb, Texas, where she told officers the mother had just given birth.
He and the baby were then escorted to McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma where the baby drew its last breath. After the mother was found, Parker was arrested.
Texas Rangers are currently investigating the case, according to New Boston police.
Official Press Release 10-10-2020
Posted by New Boston Police Department on Saturday, October 10, 2020
The whole town stands in support of the family.
The two fundraisers that were set up have raised more than $20,000 in total in just a few days after her passing, according to Sarah Whitehead, who set up one of them with the help of her husband, Justin.
Whitehead said that Homer, Reagan’s husband, played a crucial part in their small lawn business.
“Our community is a small town but at the end of the day we are all one community,” she said. “Reagan and the baby, Kynlee, and Homer and the rest of the family will now be taken care of by everyone here.”
The three of them have “become part of everyone’s family now,” she added.
(OKLAHOMA) According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the victim, 21-year-old Reagan Simmons-Hancock, died as a result of the injuries she sustained. The baby is also deceased. https://t.co/w7Hm3CguvS
— VNN (@pluginVNN) October 13, 2020
On top of Whitehead’s fundraiser which drew in over $12,000, the second fundraiser started by Janet Harland Ross and Allen Martin has since amassed over $13,000.
“Thank you all so much for showing that there is still good in the world,” Jessica said.
She added that she is deeply moved by the way people have “come together to love, pray for, and support” the victim’s family.
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