An expectant mother in Washington narrowly escaped a terrifying ordeal when a stranger attempted to forcibly take her unborn child. The shocking incident took place in 2009, putting Teka Adams and her baby’s lives at risk.
Teka had met Veronica Deramous at a local homeless shelter, leading to an invitation to Deramous’s home months later. What started as a regular visit quickly turned into a nightmare as Deramous viciously attacked Teka, trying to remove the baby from her womb using a box cutter. Despite sustaining critical injuries, Teka managed to flee while holding her injured abdomen and intestines, protecting her unborn child.
Emergency medical intervention through a C-section at the hospital saved both Teka and her baby. She named her daughter Miracle, symbolizing the incredible survival against all odds.
Deramous was arrested on the same day and charged with attempted murder. During the court proceedings in 2010, Teka bravely recounted the harrowing attack, highlighting that staying in the house would have resulted in the loss of both her and her child. Her escape, with her intestines in hand, showcased her resilience and determination to survive.
In court, Teka directly addressed Deramous, displaying Miracle as she spoke, emphasizing the beauty of her daughter and what could have been taken away. She also confronted Deramous’s family, expressing a mix of relief and anger towards the assailant who endangered her and her baby’s lives.
Deramous presented a different narrative, claiming Teka had previously discussed abortion and alleged a deal to purchase the baby for $5,000. She contended that Teka willingly came to her home to give birth, citing memory lapses due to alcohol consumption during the incident.
Despite Deramous’s assertions, overwhelming evidence disproved her claims. In the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, Teka condemned her attacker to a life behind bars. Deramous’s mention of purchasing baby clothes prompted Teka to challenge her, demanding proof.
Judge C. Philip Nichols Jr. accepted Deramous’s guilty plea of first-degree assault, resulting in a 25-year prison sentence. Additionally, she pleaded guilty to false imprisonment under the Alford doctrine, leading to a life term with 15 years suspended.
The prosecution, led by Assistant State’s Attorney Scott Carrington, emphasized Deramous’s deceitfulness throughout the case, stating that justice prevailed for the victim and the community.
This incident is not an isolated one. In 2015, Ashleigh Wade posed as her boyfriend’s pregnant girlfriend on Facebook, sharing sonograms and a baby registry. She tragically ended her childhood friend Angelikque Sutton’s life, removed the baby, and claimed it as her own. Wade faced murder charges and was detained in a psychiatric facility, while Sutton’s baby, Genesis, miraculously survived.
According to The Guardian, there have been 302 documented infant abductions in the US since 1983, with 18 involving fetal abductions. Perpetrators often feign pregnancies and target acquaintances or strangers. Experts caution pregnant women to be wary of sudden intense interest from unfamiliar individuals regarding their pregnancies.
Cookie Notice: This website uses cookies and other identifiers to enhance user experience, analyze site usage, and display personalized ads. Users can opt-out of data sharing by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button. Acceptance of cookie use represents agreement to the Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.