Authorities said on Wednesday, August 10 that a mother from Wyoming had been arrested and was being held accountable for the death of her child, known as “Baby Garnet.”
Nancy Ann Gerwatowski is the lady who is now awaiting extradition to the Upper Peninsula. She will go on trial for the death of a newborn who was discovered in a pit of human waste in an outhouse 25 years ago.
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The most recent hearing for Gerwatowski took place at the 92nd District Court of Mackinac County on Tuesday, August 9. Authorities claim that she acknowledged giving birth to Baby Garnet.
Eighth District of MSP
@MSPEighthDist MSP Eighth District
A woman was detained for open murder in the 1997 “Baby Garnet” case following a combined investigation by the MSP and Mackinac County Sheriffs Dept. This case was solved thanks to DNA breakthroughs and the great relationships we have with our regional partners.
9 1 Detectives from the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office and the state police travelled to Wyoming to talk with Gerwatowski. Police said that a lengthy investigation that involved tracing the infant’s DNA lineage to her family members was essential in identifying her.
According to a statement from the Mackinac County Sheriff Edward, Nancy provided enough details to support an allegation of child abuse. Added him:
“Further details will be made public following her arraignment.”
When Baby Garnet’s body was found in a septic tank, she was anywhere between 38 and 40 weeks old
On June 26, 1997, a worker at the campsite discovered an almost full-term baby who had been gestated for 38–40 weeks while emptying a septic hole. In order to identify the infant, who was given the name Baby Garnet because of the location of her discovery, she underwent forensic examinations and an autopsy.
Her body was discovered near the Garnet Lake Campground in Hudson Township, a part of Mackinac County in the Upper Peninsula. By the time her body was discovered, she had been abandoned and was assumed dead. At the time, her family’s identity remained unknown.
Investigators were able to begin identifying the baby’s relatives by 2017 because to advancements in DNA tracking technology since then.
Lyden, David
@dmlyden9and10 David Lyden
I JUST IN: In 1997, “Baby Garnet” died, and Nancy Gerwatowski has been accused in Mackinac County with open murder.
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The mother of the child was identified by a genealogist, and on July 12, 2022, detectives arrived in Wyoming and made contact with Nancy Ann Gerwatowski. They spoke with the former Mackinac County resident who had now relocated to Wyoming.
In a statement, the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office said:
“I want to thank Identifinders International, LLC and other law enforcement professionals for their hard work and diligence in helping to solve this case by identifying the perpetrator and bringing criminal charges,” the speaker said.
The neighbourhood contributed about $1000 to pay for the baby’s white casket, which was interred in the Hudson Township Cemetery. Nearly 40 individuals came to her funeral, bringing flowers for the memorial service.