Arraignment postponed in baby case

KENNEWICK – A woman charged with stabbing a pregnant woman to death and then cutting her baby from the womb apparently did not know the victim well, investigators said Wednesday.

Phiengchai Sisouvanh Synhavong, 23, apparently met the victim, Araceli Camacho Gomez, 27, only hours before the slaying occurred late Friday, Benton County prosecutor Andrew K. Miller said.

The baby boy remained in critical condition in a Spokane hospital, but Miller said he was told the child appeared to be improving. No details on the child’s injuries have been released.

Miller filed a charge of aggravated first-degree murder against Synhavong but her arraignment, originally set for Wednesday, was rescheduled for July 9 while authorities worked to line up a defense lawyer qualified to handle a death penalty case.

Meanwhile, the baby’s father, Juan Campos Felipe, 34, of Pasco, must deal with a 140-mile road trip to Spokane to visit his son in the hospital, care for the couple’s 10-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter and prepare his wife’s funeral. He has little money, Miller said.

“We met with him today and he’s just – there are a lot of issues,” Miller told the Tri-City Herald.

“His truck is broken down. He’s been trying to go back and forth to Spokane to see the baby and his other two children are here.”