Pregnant woman killed, fetus taken

WORCESTER (FOX25, myfoxboston) - The uncle of a Worcester mother who was killed and had her fetus carved from her womb is speaking out.

Karl Whitney says he has no idea who is responsible for killing his niece, 23-year-old Darlene Haynes. The young mother was found dead at her apartment at 94 Southgate Street on Monday night.

» EXCLUSIVE: Bob Ward speaks with Darlene Haynes' boyfriend

Police say the building's landlord discovered her body, which was wrapped in blankets. The woman's 8-month-old fetus had been cut out of her body.

The fetus has not been recovered, but authorities say it could survive if given immediate medical care.

The family says Roberto Rodriguez is the father of the unborn child and a toddler the couple had together.

Court records show Haynes had a restraining order against Rodriguez, stemming from an alleged assault in June. Police have interviewed Rodriguez, but have not called him a suspect.

Haynes' uncle says she had three children, two of them lived with their grandmother. The 23-year-old had custody of a toddler.

The family says Haynes was expected to name her unborn baby girl Sheila Marie.

Police released the following:

On Monday July 27 at 12:59, Worcester police responded to 94 Southgate Street apt. 2r for a report of a discovery of a deceased person. This call was placed by the property landlord who had bee there to check for a report of a strong odor coming from that apartment. During the course of the landlord inspection, he discovered a deceased body of what he believed to be a woman in the closet of a bedroom.

Upon the arrival of the police, a search warrant was obtained and Worcester Police Detectives processed the scene along with the evidence Recovery Unit and members of the Crime Scene Unit. The victim was believed to be the current tenant of this apartment who was last scene on July 23. The tenant was 23 years old Darlene Hayes who was reportedly 8 months pregnant. The victim, who had been deceased for several days, was discovered wrapped in bedding. The victim was transported to the Boston Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy, cause of death along with positive identification will be pending postmortem examination.

On July 28, 2009 an autopsy was performed and cause of death was ruled homicide. Exact cause of death will be pending toxicology results. Positive identification of the victim was made. The victim is 23 years old, Darlene Hayes. During the examination it was revealed that the victims fetus was removed. Ms. Hayes was 8 months pregnant. The fetus which according to medical personnel, could survive but will need medical attention immediately.

The investigation is ongoing and detectives urge the public that if they have any information pertaining to this homicide or if they have any information on the infant to contact the Worcester Police Dept. detectives Bureau at 1-508-799-8651.