Body of missing pregnant woman found with baby forcibly removed

In this story: Phone call traced Autopsy, DNA test pending RELATED STORIES, SITES

RAVENNA, Ohio (CNN) -- Police said Tuesday they had found the body of a missing pregnant woman, buried in a shallow grave with its abdomen cut open and baby removed.

Authorities in Ravenna, Ohio, said 23-year-old Theresa Andrews' baby boy was found unhurt inside the nearby home of Michelle Bica, 39, who police said took the infant. Bica shot herself to death as police arrived to question her, officials said.

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Andrews, who was nine months pregnant, disappeared Wednesday, shortly after calling husband Jon Andrews to say someone was coming to their house to inquire about a Jeep the Andrewses were selling.

When Jon Andrews came home, his wife and the Jeep were missing, police said.

Although the vehicle was found abandoned about a block from their home, there was no sign of his wife.

Phone call traced

Prosecutor Victor Vigluicci said police, using phone records, traced the phone call Andrews had received about the Jeep to Bica's home, about five blocks from the Andrews home. Investigators went to the home about 5 p.m. Monday, where they said Bica gave them "inconsistent statements."

Police returned to Bica's home around 9 p.m., where they said they heard a gunshot and then found Bica dead. On her body police found keys to the Andrewses' Jeep. Inside Bica's home police found a baby in a nursery.

Early Tuesday, police returned to Bica's home with a search warrant. Theresa Andrews' body was discovered buried in a shallow grave near a detached garage on Bica's property, police said.

Autopsy, DNA test pending

An autopsy was scheduled for later Tuesday.

Police were awaiting DNA tests to confirm that the baby found in Bica's home is the Andrews child. The baby was reported to be in good condition at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.

The attorney for the Andrews family, Nicholas Phillips, said legal proceedings had begun to unite Jon Andrews with the child.

"It's a very difficult time, obviously, losing a spouse, but at the same time having a newborn child," Phillips said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ravenna Police Department

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