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After nearly four decades New Jersey investigators have cracked the 1984 cold case of Baby Mary. The breakthrough came through extensive DNA analysis. And led to the arrest of the baby's mother, who was a minor at the time of the alleged crime.

In 1984 a newborn girl was found dead in Mendham Township on Christmas Eve.

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Details of a 1984 cold case

In the morning two young boys fishing at Woodland Lake in the Dismal Harmony Natural Area stumbled upon a gruesome discovery: a baby girl's lifeless body, wrapped in a towel and encased in a plastic bag. 

The infant was discovered near Mt. Pleasant Road in Mendham Township, New Jersey, at approximately 10:35 a.m. on December 24, 1984. Her umbilical cord was still attached. 

The Medical Examiner determined Baby Mary had been alive at the time of her birth, and her death was officially ruled a homicide.

Reverend Michael Drury of St. Joseph Church baptized her and gave her the name "Baby Mary," but her true identity remained shrouded in mystery for nearly four decades.

This story haunted Mendham Township, its police department, and the community at large. Year after year, the local residents met at the baby’s gravesite. And dedicated their Christmas Eve afternoons to ensure that Baby Mary was never forgotten. Justice for her remained elusive until now.

Nine years ago, former Chief Steven Crawford called for a renewed investigation into Baby Mary's case, marking the 30th anniversary of the cold case. It would take 9 more years for the case to be solved.

The breakthrough in this cold case occurred through advanced DNA analysis.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll announced at a press conference on Thursday that the DNA analysis led investigators to identify the father first and then ultimately led them to the mother. Both have been verified as the biological parents of Baby Mary through DNA testing.

 "Our officers, alongside our partners from the county and state, would pursue many leads and investigative avenues, eventually bringing justice for this infant who never had a chance to fight for herself," said Mendham Township Police Chief Ross Johnson.

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The suspect was a minor in 1984

Due to the mother's status as a minor at the time of the alleged crime, prosecutors have not disclosed her name. She is now a resident of South Carolina. The man identified as the baby's father has since passed away, with no evidence suggesting his awareness of the pregnancy or the birth. No information was released on his age at the time of Baby Mary’s death. 

On April 24, 2023, a juvenile delinquency complaint was filed against Baby Mary's mother. She now faces one count of manslaughter, a second-degree crime if committed by an adult.

This case is sad on so many levels. And even though DNA technology solved the Baby Mary cold case the township still remembers the victim.