Woman Arrested 47 Years After Newborn Found in North Carolina Landfill
Woman Arrested 47 Years After Newborn Found in North Carolina Landfill
In 1979, a newborn baby girl was discovered inside a trash bag at a landfill in Columbus County, North Carolina. Despite an extensive investigation at the time, authorities were unable to identify the child’s mother, and the case eventually went cold.
The infant was never publicly identified.
On February 24, 2026, the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office arrested 69-year-old Cathy McKee. Authorities said advances in DNA technology led investigators to identify McKee as the baby’s biological mother.
Officials stated that although the case predated modern forensic tools, evidence from the original investigation was preserved, allowing detectives to pursue new leads decades later. The case was formally reopened more than a year ago as investigators revisited the evidence using updated DNA testing methods.
McKee has been charged with felony concealing the birth of a child. She was released on a $5,000 bond and waived her right to counsel during a recent court appearance.
Sheriff Bill Rogers said the case remained active for decades and was never forgotten by investigators.
The investigation remains ongoing.
