A former police officer from Stoughton, Massachusetts, has been indicted for allegedly causing the death of an unborn child. Matthew Farwell, 39, of Easton, faces one count related to the death of Sandra Birchmore’s unborn son. Farwell was previously indicted for the alleged murder of Birchmore in August 2024 and remains in federal custody.
According to a superseding indictment, on or about February 1, 2021, Farwell is accused of killing Birchmore by strangulation. The indictment further alleges that he staged her body and apartment to make it appear as though she had died by suicide. Authorities claim Farwell acted with malice aforethought and intended to prevent Birchmore from disclosing information about his alleged sexual exploitation of her beginning when she was a minor.
Court documents state that Farwell agreed to attempt to impregnate Birchmore in the fall of 2020 as part of an effort to stop her from making their relationship public. Communications between the two included references by Birchmore about keeping the baby and signing the birth certificate. In response, Farwell allegedly told her that she was “the worst person on the face of the earth.”
In the weeks leading up to her death, Birchmore reportedly expressed excitement regarding her pregnancy through discussions with Farwell about medical appointments and preparations for the baby. She scheduled prenatal care visits beyond her date of death and made plans for a pregnancy announcement.
The indictment indicates that at the time of her death, Birchmore was between eight and ten weeks pregnant.
If convicted under 18 U.S.C. §1841 for causing the death of an unborn child, Farwell faces a mandatory life sentence. Sentencing decisions will be made by a federal district court judge according to applicable guidelines and statutes.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today.” The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth Riley, Torey B. Cummings and Brian A. Fogerty from the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit.
Authorities emphasize that all charges are allegations at this stage: “The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
