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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- After nearly two months on life support, the newborn baby of Marlen Ochoa, died early Friday, according to a family spokeswoman.
The baby, named Yovanny Lopez, was cut from his mother's womb, after two women strangled and killed her to steal her baby.
"It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of baby Yovanny Jadiel Lopez," family spokeswoman Julie Contreras said in a statement. "He passed away this morning Friday June 14, 2019 from his severe brain injury. Please keep his family in your thoughts & prayers as they go through this difficult time."
Contreras said the family will have a private funeral for Yovanny. She asked that the public respect the family's wishes and keep the event private.
According to Contreras, the baby was held by his father during his final moments of life.
“He is an angel, and he’s in his mom’s arms now,” Contreras said. “His father was able to hold him in his last minutes.”
Staff at Christ gave the family a painting of angels as a gift to Yovanny.
"I want to say to Dr. Galley - thank you for treating this baby and his father with so much respect and dignity," Contreras said.
Yovanny had on life support for weeks after police said he was cut from Ochoa's womb on April 23, the day she disappeared and prosecutors alleged she was brutally murdered.
“He is the victim of a heinous crime. He was ripped from the womb of his mother,” Contreras said. “If the Cook County State’s Attorney is listening to this, these criminals must be held to the full extent of the law, accountable for his death."
Clarisa Figueroa, 46, and her daughter, 24-year-old Desiree, were formally indicted earlier this week for first-degree murder in Ochoa’s slaying. The elder Figueroa’s boyfriend, Piotr Bobak, is charged with concealing a homicide.
Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Friday that he expects both women will now be charged with murder in the baby's death.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office said it will make a final determination on any additional charges after the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office and Chicago Police Department complete their investigations.
The defendants are due back in court June 26.