Couple Cut Baby From Womb; Murder Two Children

A man and his girlfriend killed her cousin's ex-girlfriend and mother of his child when she was nine months pregnant so they could cut the baby boy she was carrying from her womb to start the family they always wanted. The baby survived but the trio also killed two of the woman's older children.

On November 16, 1995, Fedell Caffey and Jacqueline Williams, along with her cousin, Laverne Ward, visited the apartment of Debra Evans, Ward’s ex-girlfriend, armed with a handgun and pair of gardening shears. Evans had a restraining order against Ward due to prior domestic violence but allowed them in the home. Ward offered her $2,000 for the baby, but Evans refused.

That’s when Caffey pulled out the handgun and shot Evans as her children, 10-year-old Samantha, 8-year-old Joshua, and 19-month-old Jordan, Ward’s son, watched.

Jordan Left Alive

The trio then stabbed Samantha to death before slicing Evans’ stomach open with the shears to remove the baby, a boy she planned to name Elijah. He was not breathing, but Williams performed CPR to revive him. The three grabbed the infant and Joshua and fled the apartment, leaving Jordan alone with his deceased mother and sister.

Around midnight, Williams took Joshua to a friend’s home. She told Patrice Scott that his mother had been shot and asked if he could spend the night at her home. She also told Scout that she had just given birth and would bring the baby by who she picked up Joshua. Scott obliged the offer. The following morning, Joshua broke down in tears and told Scott what had happened at his home, naming Williams and her boyfriend as burglars who came into the home.

Joshua Knows too Much

Scott confronted Williams with this information. Williams stated that Joshua talked too much. Caffey threatened to kill Scott if she said anything. Realizing that Joshua could identify them, the trio poisoned and strangled him, then Caffey slashed his neck while Williams held him. They left his body in an alley in a neighboring town.

A Plot for a Baby Begins

Williams and Caffey wanted a child of their own, but conception had not worked so far. Caffey wanted to be a father and pressured Williams, already a mom to three kids, to somehow, someway have his baby. Williams decided she wanted a light skin baby so it would resemble the father.

Williams began faking a pregnancy in April 1999. She changed her date twice but told her probation officer that she had given birth on November 1. Only, she didn't have a baby. Knowing Evans was due to give birth within days, the couple decided to steal her baby.

Ward Threatens to “Do the Same Thing” to an Ex-Girlfriend

After the murder, Ward phoned an ex-girlfriend and told her what just happened to Evans. He threatened that if she did not end her relationship with her boyfriend, he would do the same to her. That ex-girlfriend called the police.

Ward led the police to Evan’s home where they found Jordan, unharmed.

Arrests & Convictions

Williams carried Elijah in her arms when police took her into custody for the murders. Police also arrested Caffey and Ward.

Williams and Caffey were both sentenced to death. Ward was sentenced to life plus 60 years.

In 2003, a death penalty ban caused Williams and Caffey’s death sentences to be commuted to life in prison.

In 2012, Williams petitioned the court for a new trial or her release, saying she had served her debt to society. Her petition for a new trial was denied.

Jordan & Elijah Today

Jordan has little recollection of the events of 1995.

Both kids went on to live with their grandfather, Samuel Evans.

Additional Information & Resources

http://www.triblocal.com/villa-park/2011/12/18/ripped-from-the-womb-elis-story/index.html

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/il-supreme-court/1062554.html