N.C. woman charged nearly 5 decades after infant was found dead in landfill
02/27/2026 3:07 pm PST
COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (TCN) -- A woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a newborn baby found dead nearly half a century ago.
In 1979, the body of a newborn girl was found inside a trash bag in a landfill in Columbus County, North Carolina, WCNC reports. According to People, the baby’s cause of death has not been publicly shared.
An investigation began, but the case went unsolved. Thanks to advances in DNA-related technology, investigators were able to pursue new leads, and one identified the mother of the child as Cathy McKee, 69. In an announcement, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said that the evidence was treated with “extraordinary care” and was “meticulously preserved.”
After the case was officially reopened, according to the announcement, “Detectives began a renewed, patient, and methodical review of the evidence alongside SBI partners. Because that original evidence had been preserved, advances in DNA technology allowed investigators to pursue new leads and ultimately identify Cathy McKee as the infant’s mother.”
McKee was arrested and charged Feb. 24 with felony concealing the birth of a child, according to the NCSBI.
WECT reports Sheriff Bill Rogers said McKee had to be charged based on 1979 laws and that if that case had happened today, she would likely be charged with murder. North Carolina has a safe surrender law, which allows parents to surrender newborns 30 days old or younger to a health care provider, first responder, or social services worker without having to give their name.
McKee was initially held on $20,000 bond, according to WECT, but it was reduced to $5,000 during her first court appearance. She posted it and has reportedly waived her right to counsel.
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