Infant cut from mother's womb leaves hospital

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- A baby boy police believe was deliberately cut from his mother's womb was released from a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, hospital on Wednesday, a spokeswoman told CNN.

The infant was released from West Penn Hospital, Stephanie Waite told CNN, but she would not say who was given custody of him. Officials previously had said he would be released to child welfare workers.

Authorities said they believe the baby's mother, Kia Johnson, 18, was slain and the infant removed. Johnson's body was found Friday in an apartment belonging to Andrea Curry-Demus, 38, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.

Officials said Johnson had been dead for about two days, although the cause of her death remained undetermined. Her hands and feet were bound by duct tape, and her body had been partially eviscerated, with her uterus opened. A placenta was also found at the scene.

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

Police said Curry-Demus brought the baby to West Penn Hospital by ambulance July 16, claiming it was hers. Tests showed that she had not given birth, and she later told a police officer she had paid $1,000 for the baby.

Drugs were found at the scene with Johnson's body, and officials said last week they are awaiting toxicology results to determine whether she had been sedated.

Medical Examiner Karl Williams said it was unclear whether Johnson was alive when the baby was taken.

Friends and relatives said Curry-Demus had told them for months she was pregnant, even having a baby shower.