WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Veronica Deramous lured Teka Adams from a homeless shelter to her home where she launched a horrific attack trying to cut out her unborn baby with a box cutter
A courageous expectant mum narrowly cheated death when a virtual stranger launched a barbaric assault in a desperate attempt to snatch her unborn child.
Veronica Deramous had encountered Teka Adams at a homeless refuge in Washington and enticed her back to her residence. Upon the pregnant Teka’s arrival, Deramous unleashed a savage attack and attempted to slice out Teka’s unborn child using a box cutter.
The expectant mother barely managed to escape, clutching her torn-open abdomen whilst desperately holding both her own intestines and the baby within.
On December 6, 2009, Teka’s infant was delivered via emergency caesarean section. She christened the child Miracle, according to The Washington Post.
Deramous was apprehended the same day and charged with attempted murder. During court proceedings in 2010, Teka testified that both she and her baby would have perished had she remained in Deramous’ residence any longer, reports the Mirror.
She implored Deramous to gaze upon Miracle. “You see her? She beautiful,” Teka declared. “You could’ve took that from me.”
Teka confronted Deramous’s family members, declaring: “I hope y’all proud of y’all daughter and y’all sister,” she said. Yet Deramous maintained she had encountered Teka months earlier, with the expectant mother expressing her desire for a termination.
Deramous insisted she informed Teka of her longing for a child, leading to an agreement where Deramous would buy the baby from Teka for £5000, with contact details exchanged.
According to Deramous, Teka voluntarily arrived at her home to give birth, though she alleged a scuffle ensued, whilst claiming memory loss regarding the morning of Teka’s getaway due to whisky consumption.
At Prince George’s County Circuit Court, Teka commanded her assailant to “rot forever” behind bars. Deramous insisted she had purchased garments for the baby girl. Teka fired back: “Where they at? Where they at? Fight me now!”.
Judge C. Philip Nichols Jr. approved Deramous’s guilty admission to first-degree assault, handing down a 25-year prison term.
He additionally accepted a guilty plea to false imprisonment under the Alford doctrine – signifying that Deramous refused to acknowledge culpability for the charge whilst recognising the prosecution’s compelling evidence – imposing a life sentence with all but 15 years suspended.
Assistant State’s Attorney Scott Carrington, who handled the prosecution, declared Deramous had been dishonest from “the moment she opened her mouth.
“I thought the plea was the best result,” Ivey said. “I think this is a win all the way around for the victim and the community.”
