New Jersey investigators have announced a major breakthrough in the decades-old cold case of “Baby Mary,” an infant discovered wrapped in a towel inside a plastic bag nearly 40 years ago on Christmas Eve 1984 in a wooded area of Mendham Township.
The newborn girl, given the name “Baby Mary” by Reverend Michael Drury of St. Joseph Church, remained unidentified until recent developments led to her mother’s arrest and the resolution of this long-standing mystery.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll disclosed the breakthrough during a press conference, revealing that the mother, who was a minor at the time of the alleged crime, has been apprehended in South Carolina and charged with manslaughter. Authorities have chosen not to disclose her name. The man identified as the baby’s father has since passed away, with no evidence indicating his awareness of the pregnancy or birth.
For nearly four decades, investigators tirelessly pursued leads to identify Baby Mary and uncover the circumstances surrounding her tragic discovery. The case was re-examined nine years ago at the request of former Chief Steven Crawford, marking the 30th anniversary of the discovery.
Mendham Township Police Chief Ross Johnson praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, stating, “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.”
Baby Mary was found near Mt. Pleasant Road in Mendham Township, New Jersey, at approximately 10:35 am on December 24, with her umbilical cord still attached. The Medical Examiner determined that the infant had been alive at birth, and her death was classified as a homicide.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll explained, “DNA analysis led investigators to an identification of the father. Thereafter, literally running down hundreds, if not thousands, of leads led to identification of the mother. Both the father and the mother have been verified through DNA as being the proper mother and father.”
On April 24, 2023, a juvenile delinquency complaint was filed against Baby Mary’s mother, charging her with one count of manslaughter, which, if committed by an adult, would be a second-degree crime.
“This arrest is the culmination of decades of effort, across multiple generations of law enforcement,” Mr. Carroll emphasized. “It is a tribute to the tenacity and dedication of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, our Major Crimes Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mendham Township Police Department.”
He continued, “The death and abandonment of this baby girl is a tragic loss and even after nearly 40 years, remains just as heartbreaking. Justice may not take the form the public has imagined all these years, but we believe with this juvenile delinquency complaint, justice is being served for Baby Mary.”
Every Christmas Eve for the past 35 years, members of the Mendham Township police department and the community have gathered to remember Baby Mary with a service by her grave, ensuring she is never forgotten.
“Today, we are finally able to bring closure to this case and the community that has supported her,” Chief Johnson declared.
