FBI Renewing Bid to Uncover Identity of South Jersey Baby Found Dead in Dumpster 40 Years Ago
The FBI's Philadelphia field office is once again reaching out for help in identifying a still-unnamed newborn baby girl found dead in a dumpster in Washington Township, New Jersey, nearly four decades ago. The case, which has entered its 40th year, remains shrouded in mystery, with investigators still unable to pinpoint the killer or even give the infant a name.
The discovery was made on December 4, 1986, when a farmer searching for scraps in dumpsters outside a pizzeria stumbled upon the young girl. Despite an extensive investigation, which included searching for fibers and partial fingerprints at the scene, no one has ever been charged with her murder. The baby was just hours old and still had part of her umbilical cord attached.
New details have surfaced since the case was initially reported. A distinctive beach towel, featuring a multi-colored image of a cheetah surrounded by trees, was discovered wrapped around the infant's body in a silver plastic bag. The FBI is now releasing updated images of the towel and calling on the public to come forward with any information that may help identify the girl.
The FBI has been actively re-engaging with the community since Thursday, the anniversary of the baby's death, as part of their efforts to solve the case. They are urging anyone who can provide a lead to submit a tip online or call the Philadelphia field office at (215) 418-4000.
Investigations into the girl's origins have been ongoing for decades, but it appears that DNA evidence, which was still in its infancy as a forensic tool at the time of her death, may not have played a role in identifying the infant. The FBI has renewed their call for information on social media and is working to re-examine any new leads that may have emerged over the years.
The case remains one of the most baffling unsolved murders in American history, with many questions still unanswered about how the girl came to be in a dumpster, alone and unattended. The FBI's efforts to identify Baby Jane Doe serve as a poignant reminder that even decades after the initial discovery, justice for this young victim may still be within reach.
The FBI's Philadelphia field office is once again reaching out for help in identifying a still-unnamed newborn baby girl found dead in a dumpster in Washington Township, New Jersey, nearly four decades ago. The case, which has entered its 40th year, remains shrouded in mystery, with investigators still unable to pinpoint the killer or even give the infant a name.
The discovery was made on December 4, 1986, when a farmer searching for scraps in dumpsters outside a pizzeria stumbled upon the young girl. Despite an extensive investigation, which included searching for fibers and partial fingerprints at the scene, no one has ever been charged with her murder. The baby was just hours old and still had part of her umbilical cord attached.
New details have surfaced since the case was initially reported. A distinctive beach towel, featuring a multi-colored image of a cheetah surrounded by trees, was discovered wrapped around the infant's body in a silver plastic bag. The FBI is now releasing updated images of the towel and calling on the public to come forward with any information that may help identify the girl.
The FBI has been actively re-engaging with the community since Thursday, the anniversary of the baby's death, as part of their efforts to solve the case. They are urging anyone who can provide a lead to submit a tip online or call the Philadelphia field office at (215) 418-4000.
Investigations into the girl's origins have been ongoing for decades, but it appears that DNA evidence, which was still in its infancy as a forensic tool at the time of her death, may not have played a role in identifying the infant. The FBI has renewed their call for information on social media and is working to re-examine any new leads that may have emerged over the years.
The case remains one of the most baffling unsolved murders in American history, with many questions still unanswered about how the girl came to be in a dumpster, alone and unattended. The FBI's efforts to identify Baby Jane Doe serve as a poignant reminder that even decades after the initial discovery, justice for this young victim may still be within reach.