Colombian Woman Jailed for Brutal Murder of Pregnant Cousin to Steal Unborn Baby

Luz Neida Betin Valdovino, 22, right, was stabbed to death

A Colombian woman, Sadith Martinez, 27, has been sentenced to nearly 35 years in prison after confessing to the gruesome murder of her heavily pregnant cousin, Luz Neida Betin Valdovino, 22, in a calculated plot to steal her unborn child. The harrowing case unfolded in the municipality of Sahagún, Córdoba, where Martinez lured her former school friend to a remote area and executed the brutal act in May 2023.

Martinez had spent months fabricating a pregnancy, deceiving her family, friends, and even her husband with fake baby bump photos and sentimental social media posts. One disturbing image shared online showed her husband kissing her faux bump with the caption, “Thank you, God, for your blessings… It won't be long, daughter, until you're in mum’s arms.”

According to court proceedings, Martinez convinced Luz to accompany her to a mountainous area, where she drugged her with the intent to induce labor. Once incapacitated, Martinez used a surgical scalpel to stab Luz to death, slit her throat, and perform a makeshift cesarean section to remove the 32-week-old baby from her womb.

Twisted Sadith Martinez poses with a fake pregnancy bump as her unsuspecting husband kisses it

After carrying out the horrific crime, Martinez took the newborn to a nearby home and claimed she had given birth while alone. Locals, however, quickly grew suspicious. Paramedics were called, and residents filmed Martinez with the baby, handing the footage over to authorities. Medical personnel at Camus San Rafael Hospital later confirmed that Martinez had not recently given birth.

Meanwhile, farmworkers discovered Luz’s mutilated body in the woods, with two deep abdominal wounds and a cut throat. Upon being confronted with the evidence, Martinez confessed to charges of aggravated femicide and kidnapping.

Judges sentenced her to 34 years and 11 months in prison, with no possibility of parole until at least 2045. Luz’s baby, miraculously surviving the ordeal, has been placed under the care of social workers and named Milagro, which means “Miracle” in Spanish.

Luz was a school friend and cousin of Martinez

The gruesome crime mirrors a recent similar case in Brazil, where 16-year-old Emilly Azevedo Sena, nine months pregnant, was allegedly murdered by 25-year-old Nataly Helen Martins Pereira, who lured her to her home under the pretense of donating baby clothes. Emilly’s body was discovered buried in the suspects’ garden, her abdomen cut open and her baby missing. Pereira and her husband, Christian Albino Cebalho de Arruda, 28, were arrested at a hospital while attempting to register the stolen child as their own. An autopsy confirmed Pereira had not been pregnant. Brazilian authorities are investigating the couple for aggravated murder, body concealment, and procedural fraud.