2022/02/22

Forensic Magzine February 21, 2022: Pennsylvania State Police Seeking Tips in 1980 Baby Doe Cold Case

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced today that it continues to investigate a 1980 cold case involving the homicide of Baby Boy John Doe in Larksville Borough, Luzerne County. In addition to a partnership with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office and Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, PSP encourages the public to submit tips to Pennsylvania Crime StoppersOpens In A New Window.

"With the advancements in technology over the years, the Pennsylvania State Police continues to look for new ways to support older cases," said Major Jeremy Richard, PSP Acting Deputy Commissioner of Operations. "We are hopeful that technological advancements combined with public support will generate leads and a conclusion for this case."

The Criminal Investigation Unit at Troop P, Wilkes-Barre began its investigation on Aug. 6, 1980, after an employee of the now defunct West Side Landfill discovered the infant's body within the mounds of garbage dumped from local waste haulers. An autopsy determined the full-term, white, male infant had died within two hours of birth due to immediate neglect. A second forensic opinion in 2000 held that the infant may have lived for several days. Baby Boy John Doe is listed as Unidentified Person 15765 (UP-15765) in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS). more