Investigators identify dead newborn found on I-10 in 1993

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – On Monday, October 14, Sheriff Matt Haley announced the identification of a dead newborn found on I-10 in 1993.

On December 21, 1993, a newborn baby was found dead on I-10 near the Lorraine Road exit in Gulfport.

An autopsy was performed and the cause of death was determined to be blood loss and exposure. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Homes held a funeral at the Floral Hills Memorial Garden in Gulfport, where she was named Mary Josephine.

Investigators were unable to find the mother at the time and the case was closed.

On December 7, 2023, the Harrison County Criminal Investigation Division, with the assistance of the Harrison County District Attorney’s Office, obtained a court order to exhume the body of baby Mary Josephine to obtain DNA to assist investigators in her identification.

Othram Inc., a DNA/genealogy company in Houston, Texas, performed the DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy.

The Criminal Investigation Department received the results from Othram Inc., which included identified relatives of Mary Josephine.

Investigators were granted a search warrant to compare DNA from the child’s alleged mother.

On October 11, 2024, investigators attempted to contact Mary Josephine’s possible mother in Gautier.

Officers then made their way to the suspected mother’s home, where she was found dead by suicide.

In the house, investigators found a letter in which the woman claimed to be Mary Josephine’s mother.

Sheriff Matt Haley would like to thank Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, Coroner Brian Switzer, Floral Hills Memorial Garden Cemetery, Harrison County District Attorney’s Office, MS State Medical Examiner’s Office, Gautier Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Othram Inc . thank you for your support in this case.

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