Authorities identify Baby Doe from decades old cold case

Friday, Dubois County Prosecutor Beth Schroeder provided an update on a 1987 Dubois County cold case in which criminal charges have been filed.

After nearly four decades, investigators have identified the infant long known only as “Baby Doe,” found deceased at the Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand in 1987.

Advances in DNA technology and investigative genealogy have finally given this child an identity, allowing the community to remember him with dignity.

In late 2025, the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter against the child’s biological mother, who was a juvenile at the time of the incident. Following a recent request for information about this case, the office has decided to issue a press release with preliminary information. The case remains pending at this time.

However, as the legal process moves forward, officials have emphasized the need to approach this case with sensitivity and compassion.

“This has always been about honoring the life of a child who could not speak for himself,” said Prosecutor Beth Schroeder. “Thanks to science and the perseverance of Indiana State Police Cold Case Unit, we are able to close one chapter of this case while remembering the human circumstances surrounding it.”

Authorities noted that the pregnancy was unintended and that the defendant was a minor at the time. The seriousness of the charges reflects the loss of life, but officials stressed that the case also highlights the challenges faced by young people in crisis.

“Justice and compassion can walk hand in hand,” said Prosecutor Schroeder. “Our responsibility is not only to pursue accountability, but also to recognize the difficult realities that may have led to this tragedy.”

For decades, “Baby Doe” represented an unanswered question for the community. Today, with his identity restored, officials hope that a measure of peace can be found, even as the judicial process continues.

Out of respect for privacy and legal considerations, additional details will not be released at this time.

*All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.