Hospital releases baby removed from womb

PITTSBURGH, July 24 (UPI) -- A baby authorities think was deliberately taken from his mother's womb has been released from a Pittsburgh hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.

While confirming that the infant was released from the hospital, spokeswoman Stephanie Waite wouldn't say who had taken custody of the boy, CNN reported Thursday.

Authorities said they believe the baby's mother, Kia Johnson, 18, was killed and the infant removed from her womb. Johnson's body was found Friday in the apartment of Andrea Curry-Demus, 38, of Wilkinsburg, Pa. Johnson's hands and feet were bound, her body was gutted and uterus sliced opened, officials said.

Police charged Curry-Demus with criminal homicide, kidnapping and unlawful restraint in Johnson's death.

Police said they found drugs at the scene and said they were waiting for toxicology results to determine if Johnson was sedated when she was cut open and the baby was removed, CNN reported.

Investigators said Curry-Demus took the baby to West Penn Hospital July 16, claiming it was hers but tests determined she hadn't given birth. The woman later told police she paid $1,000 for the infant, CNN said.