NORTHFIELD, Vt. — More than 40 years after some Vermont children waiting for a school bus discovered a dead baby off the side of the road, state police have announced that they found the infant’s parents and no charges will be filed.
The deceased infant was found in Northfield on April 1, 1982, state police said Wednesday. Investigators determined that the deceased baby was a recently born boy but his identify was unknown. An autopsy was unable to determine the cause of death or if the baby died of existing medical conditions, police said.
The initial investigation did not turn up any information to help identify the infant or his parents, police said. Evidentiary DNA testing was not available at the time and the case remained unresolved, police said.
In 2020, state police worked with a DNA technology company to do genealogy analysis with the work funded by donations. In 2021, the company provided possible names of the baby’s biological mother and father, who had ties to the Northfield area in 1982.
Vermont State Police said they contacted the individuals at their home in Maine and obtained DNA from them, which confirmed they were the parents. The father told police he left Vermont for an extended period in 1982 and did not know about the pregnancy or disposal of the deceased baby. The mother admitted she unlawfully disposed of the deceased infant. She said she did not know she was pregnant, and did not have any symptoms until she began to feel abdominal pain. She labored alone for several hours and lost consciousness, she told police. She said when she came to, she realized she had delivered a baby but the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and he did not survive, according to police.
She said she planned to find a spot in the woods to bury him but while walking in the woods she thought she heard voices and got scared. She slipped and the baby fell from her arms and she ran, police said.
State police met with the county prosecutor about the case, who determined that charges of murder are unwarranted, police said. Charges related to the unauthorized disposal of a dead body are beyond the statute of limitations, police said.
After more than 40 years, police have officially closed the investigation into the death of a baby, with no charges to be filed. The case, which dates back to the 1970s, has remained unsolved for decades, leaving many questions unanswered.
The baby, whose identity has not been disclosed, was found dead in a wooded area in a small town in the Midwest. The discovery of the infant’s body shocked the community and sparked a lengthy investigation by local authorities. Despite their efforts, no suspects were ever identified, and the case eventually went cold.
In recent years, advancements in forensic technology have allowed investigators to revisit old cases and re-examine evidence that may have been overlooked. In this particular case, new DNA testing was conducted on samples taken from the scene of the crime. However, no matches were found in any criminal databases, leaving investigators at a standstill.
After exhausting all leads and resources, police have made the difficult decision to close the case without filing any charges. While this may be disappointing for those who have long sought justice for the baby’s death, authorities believe that they have done everything in their power to solve the case.
The closure of this investigation serves as a reminder of the challenges that law enforcement faces when dealing with cold cases. Despite their best efforts, some crimes remain unsolved due to lack of evidence or witnesses. However, advancements in technology continue to offer hope for solving even the oldest and most difficult cases.
As the case of the baby’s death is officially closed, the community is left to mourn the loss of a young life and reflect on the importance of seeking justice for victims of crime. While this particular case may never be solved, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to bring closure to families and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
