Body may be that of pregnant 18-year-old

Investigators hoped to confirm today the identity of a woman whose body was found bound with duct tape, her uterus cut open, in the apartment of another woman who had falsely claimed that a newborn baby was her own.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office has tentatively identified the victim as Kia Johnson, an investigator said Saturday night.

Officials hope to confirm the identity using dental records.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Johnson’s family had spoken to police. The paper said she was 18 years old and due to deliver July 30.

Allegheny County Police Assistant Supt. James Morton said investigators were also trying to verify whether the dead woman was the mother of a baby brought by Andrea Curry-Demus to Western Pennsylvania Hospital on Thursday night.

Curry-Demus claimed she was the mother, but when tests proved she wasn’t, she told police she had miscarried in June and befriended a pregnant woman, according to the criminal complaint.

She told police she had paid a woman named Tina $1,000 for the baby.

Wilkinsburg Police Chief Ophelia Coleman said that when authorities went to check out Curry-Demus’ apartment building, a relative led them to another apartment.

The body was found Friday in Curry-Demus’ apartment.

The victim appeared to have been dead for about two days, Allegheny County Medical Examiner Dr. Karl Williams said, adding that the baby was “apparently doing well.”

Curry-Demus was charged with child endangerment and dealing in infant children. She has been jailed in lieu of $10,000 bond and a psychiatric exam.

Morton said further charges in the case would be filed.