In a landmark breakthrough for a decades-old mystery, a woman from Virginia has been arrested in connection with the death of a newborn whose remains were discovered in a Kentucky landfill over thirty years ago.
A Chilling Discovery and a Cold Case
The case, which had long gone cold, dates back to 1991. A sanitation worker made a grim discovery at the former Richmond Landfill in Madison County, located near the campus of Eastern Kentucky University. The remains were those of a baby girl, who became known only as "Baby Jane Doe." Initial investigations by the Kentucky State Police failed to identify the infant or pinpoint anyone responsible, leaving the case unresolved for generations.
Modern Science Reopens the Investigation
Detectives recently revived the investigation, applying contemporary forensic tools and updated techniques. With crucial assistance from the State Medical Examiner, they made a pivotal determination: the infant had been born alive and healthy before being placed in a dumpster on the Eastern Kentucky University campus. This new forensic evidence provided the breakthrough investigators needed.
The updated inquiry ultimately identified Jennifer Cummins of Fairfax County, Virginia, as a person of interest. In late 2025, the evidence was presented to a Madison County grand jury, which returned an indictment charging Cummins with murder. She was taken into custody on 6 January 2026.
Justice Pursued Across Decades
Kentucky State Police Trooper Justin Kearney emphasised the force's enduring commitment, stating, "Even after decades of time that has passed, with the collaboration of new technologies, advancements, and persistence, we've been able to discover new leads in this case. That's why it's so important for people to know these cases never go cold to us."
Authorities have not yet disclosed the nature of Cummins's relationship to the child or the specific circumstances surrounding the infant's death. The Kentucky State Police have confirmed the investigation is still active and they continue to seek the public's help to resolve unanswered questions.
Jennifer Cummins is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center while she awaits extradition to Kentucky to face the murder charge.
