Kansas City, Mo. ? A Kansas woman accused of cutting an unborn baby from her victim’s womb could face the death penalty if convicted of the crimes, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Lisa Montgomery, 37, of Melvern, Kan., faces trial in April for allegedly strangling 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett with a rope at her Skidmore home, using a kitchen knife for a crude Caesarean section, then parading the infant around as her own.

U.S. Atty. Todd Graves had long hinted he would seek death for the defendant, but it was made official Wednesday with a court filing outlining aggravating circumstances. The decision required the approval of U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto Gonzales.

“It’s a very organized, methodical process that we go through,” Graves said.

Montgomery has pleaded not guilty to the federal charge of kidnapping resulting in death. Her public defender, Anita Burns, did not return a call seeking comment.

The government’s court filing claimed Stinnett’s killing was especially heinous, involved substantial planning and endangered the life of another person, her child – all factors it says qualify Montgomery for the death penalty. Prosecutors also note Stinnett was particularly vulnerable because of her advanced pregnancy, another possibly factor for death.

Investigators followed a digital trail to Montgomery, which they said shows she communicated online with Stinnett the day before the attack on Dec. 16, 2004. The two had become acquainted through a community of rat terrier dog breeders, but authorities said Montgomery used an alias in her online conversations with Stinnett.

The criminal complaint filed by prosecutors says Montgomery confessed to the crime.