<<Print>>A deranged woman slit a heavily pregnant mother's throat and cut her unborn baby out of her womb in a sick attempt to pass the child off as her own, police say.
Ashley Wade, 22, allegedly killed Angelikque Sutton and performed a makeshift Cesarean section on her at Wade's apartment in the Bronx, New York.
Wade is then said to have ripped the baby girl from her dead or dying mother's stomach and was found cradling the newborn child - who survived - by her boyfriend.
It is believed that the mentally disturbed woman was trying to snatch Ms Sutton's baby because she had been telling neighbors she was pregnant.
Wade's boyfriend called the police after walking in on his maniacal partner holding the baby next to the body of Ms Sutton, 22, the New York Post reported.
'It looks like the baby was surgically removed,' Bronx councilman Andy King said.
'That this is a possible baby snatch - this is unforeseeable. With the holidays approaching, what a bloody way to start the season.'
The New York Times reported that the baby was found on the hood of the car outside of the property by paramedics.
Police entered the home and found blood smeared over staircases and doorways leading to the body of the mother. A placenta and knife were found in a hallway next to a bathroom.
Ms Sutton and her child were taken to Montefiore Hospital, where the mother was pronounced dead. The newborn girl, who was around one week premature, is in good health, sources told the Post. Wade has been taken to a hospital for observation and is yet to be charged. She had reportedly been telling neighbors she was pregnant before the horrific incident. Officials may now conduct tests to find out if Wade is actually pregnant. It is not clear how Wade and Ms Sutton know each other or why Ms Sutton was in Wade's home.
On Friday night friends paid tribute to Ms Sutton, saying she had 'the sweetest soul'.
One friend wrote on Twitter: 'R.I.P. Angelikque. You were truly an angel.'
Another said: 'Never been so heartbroken in my life!!! Angel I love u so much!!!!! Rest in peace to the sweetest soul I have ever known.'