A Colorado community gathered in a park Sunday night to show their support at a candlelight vigil for a woman whose fetus was cut from her womb last week.
Michelle Wilkins, who was seven months pregnant, survived the brutal attack by a woman who lured the 26-year-old to her Longmont home with a Craigslist ad for baby clothes. The baby did not survive.
"No doubt, our community will be in pain for a while. Now is the time to come together, to say a prayer, to light a candle, to connect with others," Mike Butler, Longmont's public safety chief, said in a statement before Sunday's vigil at Loomiller Park.
Vigil attendees filled out paper hearts with encouraging messages that will be delivered to Wilkins, who is in critical condition but stable, according to NBC station KUSA of Denver.
Heather Surovik, who spoke with NBC News after she lost her own unborn baby when she was in a car accident with a drunken driver, helped organize the event. "I want to be here to show my support and just let her know that there's a community out here that loves her and is praying for her and wants her to get better," she told KUSA.
The suspect, Dynel Catrece Lane, was arrested and is facing charges of first-degree attempted murder, assault and child abuse, Longmont police said.
IN-DEPTH
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SOCIAL
— Elisha Fieldstadt