Baby Yovanny Jardiel Lopez, who was ripped from his slain mother's womb, has opened his eyes. His mom, Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, was murdered in April, and her baby was cut from her in what authorities in Chicago are calling a fetal abduction. Now that the baby is back with his family and under medical care, his father Yovany Lopéz has been able to hold his baby in his arms. He watched little Yovanny Jardiel open his eyes for the first time.
More from MamásLatinas: Woman accused of killing pregnant teen had GoFundMe with photos of victim's baby
Although that is quite a lot of progress, a family spokeswoman told NBC News that the newborn continues to be in critical condition and is relying on a breathing machine. The baby is now under watch, and prayers of support are pouring in for him to make it through.
Yovany looked overjoyed while holding his little one in his arms.
Yovany, who already has another son named Joshua with his late wife Marlen, was surrounded by family as he held his miracle baby in his arms on Sunday, May 19. His family shared photos of the moment on Monday on Facebook, writing: "Thank you for your prayers He opened his eye for us!! We're praying for a miracle."
The family shared more photos of the baby.
In this photo shared by Cecilia Garcia, the baby boy's eyes are open. People who have been following the heart-wrenching story flooded the comments section with messages of support and prayers.
Yovany shared a heartfelt message thanking everyone for their support in helping care for his children.
Yovany and his family have set up a GoFundMe account to help him take care of his children in the future. They have set up a goal of $50,000, and at the time of publication they had already received more than $38,000 in donations.
"I am very grateful for the help that is being provided. With all my heart I keep asking for your help. Pray as My Son Yovanny Jadiel Recovers," he wrote. "This help that you all are giving me will be for the future of my children. Thank you, my children will forever be grateful… God bless you."
The tiny baby is already a fighter, and he's surrounded by love.
His mom Marlen is believed to have been strangled in April when she was nine months pregnant by a family who wanted to steal her baby to raise as their own. Clarisa Figueroa and her daughter Desiree were charged for the murder on Friday, May 17, and for cutting the baby out of her dead body. Marlen met up with Clarisa at her home after they had arranged via a Facebook group for the pregnant teenager to pick up some items for her baby.
