Written by Andrew White.
A Chicago woman receives a 50-year sentence for a horrific crime involving a pregnant teen. We’re sure that she’s an upstanding immigrant just wanting a better life and came to this country legally. Pfft.
Harrowing Crime Leads to Severe Punishment
Clarisa Figueroa, a Chicago resident, was handed a 50-year prison sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, a 19-year-old pregnant woman. In a chilling confession, Figueroa admitted to luring Ochoa-Lopez to her home under the pretense of giving away free baby clothes, only to commit the gruesome act of cutting the baby from her womb.
Details of the Guilty Plea
On Tuesday, Figueroa changed her plea to guilty of first-degree murder, accepting full responsibility for her actions that led to the death of Ochoa-Lopez in April 2019. Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas confirmed with Figueroa that she understood the terms of her sentence—specifically, that she would serve it in its entirety, with no option for early release.
A Family Affair in Crime
The plot thickened as Figueroa’s daughter, Desiree Figueroa, was revealed to have played a role in the murder. Desiree admitted to aiding her mother and agreed to testify against her, resulting in a 30-year prison sentence for herself. The tragic sequence of events reportedly began after the death of Figueroa’s son, which led her to deceitfully seek a newborn to raise as her own.
The Discovery and Aftermath
Authorities pieced together the crime after Ochoa-Lopez’s disappearance, tracing her last known location to the Figueroa residence, where they later discovered her body discarded in a garbage can. The plot unraveled further when Clarisa Figueroa made a deceitful 911 call claiming she had given birth to a non-breathing baby. Suspicious hospital staff quickly questioned her story, leading to DNA tests that confirmed the newborn was Ochoa-Lopez’s child. Tragically, the baby boy passed away several months later due to complications.
Additional Accomplices and Sentences
Further investigation revealed that Figueroa had involved her boyfriend, Piotr Bobak, in the crime, deceiving him into believing he was the newborn’s father and enlisting his help to cover up the murder. Bobak was later sentenced to four years for obstruction of justice and has since been released on parole.
Our Take
This case is a stark reminder of the depths of deceit and evil that can exist behind a facade of normalcy. The severe punishment meted out to Clarisa Figueroa and her accomplices underscores the gravity of their actions and the justice system’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for such heinous crimes. It is imperative that our communities remain vigilant and supportive of expectant mothers, providing them with safe environments to seek help and resources. As a society, we must continue to advocate for stringent measures that deter such atrocities and ensure that justice is served for victims like Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and her family.
