Suspect accused of 2017 murder of his pregnant girlfriend, unborn baby arrested in Michigan

A suspect was arrested in connection to the disappearance of his pregnant girlfriend, who vanished shortly before she was to attend a baby shower almost five years ago.

On Feb. 3, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced Michael Robertson, 41,was arrested in Michigan and faces two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the disappearance of Akia Shawnta Eggleston, 22, and her unborn baby, WJZ-TV reported.

According to Mosby, in the spring of 2017, the victim believed she was going to move in with Robertson, who was already in a relationship with another 22-year-old woman who had recently given birth to their second child.

Investigators learned that on May 2 that year, Robertson allegedly sent Eggleston photos of an apartment, which a reverse image search later showed was different from the one he told her about.

Eggleston withdrew money from the bank and got a $450 money order.

The following day, the two arranged to meet, investigators said, and phone records allegedly show Robertson was in her neighborhood early that evening.

Around 7 p.m., Eggleston's phone was disabled or turned off, and detectives believe she was murdered.

Family who arrived to Eggleston’s apartment for her baby shower not long after discovered the apartment cleaned out, according to WJZ-TV.

Police initially believed Eggleston left of her own free will, but they eventually began to suspect she was the victim of foul play.

“At this state, I think we’re prepared to pivot, that foul play is something that we’re absolutely exploring,” Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith said in July 2017. “We’re obviously beyond the point where she could have given birth.”

Mosby noted Eggleston had shared a sonogram photo on social media hours before she went missing and police learned the suspect and the mother of his two children allegedly got into a “volatile” dispute.

Eggleston's body has never been found.

If convicted of the murder charges, Robertson faces a maximum penalty of two life sentences in prison.

He was being held on a $200,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 25.