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DNA Cracks Decades-Old Baby in Trash Bag Case
28 Feb
Summary
- Newborn found in trash bag 47 years ago, cold case now solved.
- DNA testing identified the mother after decades of investigation.
- Authorities arrested a 69-year-old woman in the decades-old case.
A North Carolina cold case, dormant for nearly 50 years, has been solved with the arrest of a suspect. In 1979, a newborn baby girl was discovered in a trash bag at a Columbus County landfill. The Columbus County Sheriff's Office announced on February 25, 2026, that Cathy McKee, 69, was arrested and charged with felony concealing the birth of a child.
McKee was identified as the infant's mother through DNA testing. The investigation, though extensive at the time, had exhausted all leads. However, investigators diligently preserved evidence, which proved crucial with modern DNA technology. The case was formally reopened over a year ago, leading to new leads and ultimately McKee's arrest.
The sheriff emphasized that the child was never forgotten by successive generations of investigators. He stated that every child deserves protection and to be known, underscoring the lasting impact of the case on law enforcement. The professionalism and foresight of the initial investigators made this decades-later resolution possible.
