Close to half a century after the grim discovery of a newborn girl in a trash bag at a landfill in North Carolina, a significant breakthrough has been made in one of the region’s most enduring unsolved mysteries. Authorities have now arrested a woman in connection with this longstanding cold case.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office revealed on February 25 that Cathy McKee, a 69-year-old resident of Whiteville, North Carolina, has been apprehended and charged with the felony of concealing the birth of a child. The breakthrough came after DNA testing identified McKee as the mother of the infant.

Back in 1979, the investigation commenced when the lifeless body of the newborn was found at a Columbus County landfill. Despite a rigorous inquiry, the trail eventually went cold, leaving investigators without leads. Yet, officials have emphasized that this case was “never forgotten.”

Cathy McKee’s arrest occurred on February 24, marking a pivotal moment in the decades-old investigation that began when the infant was found at the landfill.

“For 47 years, the story of this baby girl has been kept alive, passed down through generations of investigators,” stated the sheriff’s department. “Some of those who initially worked on the case are still remembered today, while others have since retired, moved on, or passed away.”

The department noted that the responsibility felt by the original investigators “did not fade,” underscoring that the case served as a persistent reminder of the child’s right to be remembered and the necessity of finding answers to her tragic story.

Officials noted that although the case predated modern DNA technology, investigators used “extraordinary care” in preserving evidence, which ultimately made the arrest possible decades later.

“Their professionalism, compassion, and foresight ensured that this baby girl would not be lost to time,” the department said.

Cathy McKee, 69, was arrested after investigators used modern DNA testing to identify her in connection with a newborn baby found at a Columbus County landfill in 1979. (Columbus County Sheriff’s Office)

The case was formally reopened more than a year ago, and investigators were able to pursue new leads using advances in DNA testing, ultimately identifying McKee as the baby’s mother.

Sheriff Bill Rogers said that even after nearly half a century, the child was “never forgotten.”

“As a father, this case is one that hits deeply. Every child who enters this world deserves protection, love, and the chance to be known,” he said. “For 47 years, this baby girl’s life — however brief — mattered to the investigators who first held that case in their hands and to every detective who reviewed it after. She was never just evidence, never just a report. She was a child, and she was never forgotten.”

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest on Feb. 25 in a cold case from 1979 where a newborn was found dead in a landfill. (Columbus County Sheriff’s Office)

McKee was released from custody on a $5,000 bond and waived her right to counsel at a court appearance this week.

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