Credit: Netflix

A Child of My Own is a Netflix true-crime documentary that spotlights the shocking true story of Eleonor Alejandra Marín Mendoza, a young Mexican woman who faked a full-term pregnancy before allegedly kidnapping a newborn from a hospital to keep up with the ruse.

Mendoza had suffered multiple miscarriages in her attempt to become a mother, culminating in a third miscarriage in 2009, which she reportedly concealed from her husband, Arturo Calderón Gamiño and her in-laws. After facing immense scrutiny, societal pressures, and judgment from her family, she decided to fake a pregnancy instead of informing them about the truth.

Although Mendoza claimed that she had an arrangement with an unhappy expectant mother who was ready to hand over her newborn, the witness statements tell a different story, as is revealed in A Child of My Own. When authorities tracked her down in the kidnapping case, Arturo was also arrested with her and spent over two years behind bars, despite maintaining that he believed her and knew nothing of her scheme.

The pair tied the knot in July 2000 when Alejandra was 17 and pregnant. The pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, but their parenthood dreams were never really over. As they continued trying for a child for years, she experienced more losses. In fact, in A Child of My Own, Arturo acknowledges just how desperately he wanted to become a biological father. “At some point, I did put pressure on her. I said I want to be a dad and I want to have a kid [biologically].”

Arturo was also against adoption since he believed it wouldn’t be “the same.” So, when the third miscarriage happened, Mendoza decided to continue the pretence by deliberately gaining weight. She even fabricated medical documents and went as far as to obtain maternity leave. However, Arturo and Alejandra both insisted that the former really believed she was pregnant.

When the case went to trial, Arturo was acquitted of any involvement in the grand scheme. And one of the most revealing pieces of evidence in his favour is the footage he filmed the night before Mendoza’s supposed due date. So, for those curious about when he actually got a hunch? Well, it was after she kidnapped Mayra’s newborn and met him outside the hospital.

She reportedly admitted that she’d lost their baby and had been “given” another one. Although Arturo was allegedly furious, they went to a hotel from where the baby was recovered by law enforcement, and the couple were arrested. He was arrested on suspicion of being an accomplice and spent two years and six months behind bars before the acquittal.

The experience changed him, leaving him initially enraged towards Mendoza. However, the more time he spent, the more he softened, ultimately leading him down a road of reconciliation. During her 13-year sentence, the pair allegedly maintained their relationship. That said, by the time Alejandra left prison, her perspective towards motherhood had changed in more ways than one.

“During my 13 years in prison, I have focused on accepting not being a mom. Before, I think my desire to be a mom was more about pleasing others,” she says. Although Arturo admitted that he still wanted a child, Mendoza reportedly suggested that he go and “find his happiness” before a brief separation. However, that wasn’t the endgame for the two.

Arturo is now a free man and a father to a child he had with another woman during a brief relationship. Despite their separation, Arturo and Alejandra have reportedly reconciled after he became a father.