Woman kills pregnant friend, tears baby from womb then 'pretends to give birth herself'

A woman allegedly lured a pregnant mum to her flat and killed her, before ripping her unborn baby out of her stomach.

Paula Jana Ferreira Melo, 25, from , is believed to have been horrifically killed by an acquaintance who had planned to steal her baby and pretend it was her own. The suspect, Joseane de Oliveira Jardim, was busted after she turned up at the hospital with the victim's blood smeared between her legs and a baby in tow.

Medics sadly pronounced him dead and alerted the police after tests revealed that she hadn't given birth to the newborn boy. stormed into her flat and found the biological mother lifeless under the bed and wrapped in plastic.

Paula was set to give birth to her second child, Endrick, on November 5. According to , the suspect invited her around to her apartment to offer her a pushchair on Monday, October 14.

In the flat in Porto Alegre, she allegedly struck Paula in the head, cut open her belly, and ripped the baby from her womb. She then allegedly staged a scene to make it look like she'd just given birth in her living room by putting the infant and Paula's blood between her legs. Her neighbours called for an ambulance and Joseane, 42, and the were taken to a hospital in the city. She was arrested at the hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Local media say she is expected to be charged with homicide, concealment of a body, and child destruction.

Paula leaves behind an eight-year-old daughter. She was also the adoptive mum of her sister's three-year-old daughter. Her brother-in-law, Bruno Lopes, told local media that she had already bought nappies, clothes, and toys for the infant. The only thing left for her to get was a pushchair. Bruno said: "I think she decided to go and collect the item from the killer's house because it was nearby. Paula lived just a few away from this woman and probably thought there wouldn't be any issue going over. Unfortunately, out of naivety, she was lured in and murdered by monsters."

Joseane's partner has also been taken into custody as his possible involvement in the crime is investigated. The police say Joseane dreamed of having a. She began pretending to be pregnant in August and even showed her partner ultrasound images. Lead investigator, Graziela Zinelli said: "She had a history of trying to get pregnant, but failing. She is said to have lost a child some time ago." Graziela believes Joseane hatched the harrowing plan at least two months before the crime date.

She told media: "She approached Paula specifically on her own birthday. She decided that the baby would be born on the same day. Any suggestion that this was accidental is ruled out. It was completely premeditated." Paula's husband, Eduardo, is said to be crushed by the crime. Bruno said: "The couple was in a happy place, looking forward to having their first biologicaltogether. My brother is devastated." Paula was laid to rest in Porto Alegre on Wednesday. Her uncle, Carlos Alberto Lopes, said: "She was such a happy girl, always laughing."