A pregnant woman is believed to have been stabbed to death and her unborn child surgically removed by her attacker in New York.

Police were called to the scene after being alerted of a fight in the Wakefield neighbourhood of the Bronx on Friday afternoon, according to NBC.

Police reportedly found 22-year old Angelikque Sutton stabbed in the stomach multiple times.

The victim had also been strangled and the unborn baby removed from her womb, according to New York City councilman Andy King who was briefed by authorities on the case.

The alleged suspect claimed the child was hers and that she had given birth during the altercation, before being taken into custody, according to Mr King.

Miss Sutton was rushed to hospital where doctors were unable to save her.

New York Daily News reported the baby is healthy and unhurt and that Patrick Bradley, Miss Sutton’s boyfriend of eight years, tried to see the baby but was told he couldn’t because of the pending investigation.