The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an infant found by the grounds crew at the Riverview Memory Gardens, Defiance, Ohio on October 28, 1994. The baby’s body was discovered inside a dry cleaner bag on cemetery property. An autopsy revealed a newborn female with no obvious cause of death. An investigation by Defiance County Sheriff’s Office detectives ensued after this discovery. All leads have been exhausted and almost 23 years later the baby’s identity remains a mystery.

Law enforcement continues to want to find answers to what unfortunate circumstance led to the baby girl’s death and her being left at the cemetery.

On August 8, 2017, at approximately 9 a.m., the unidentified infant was exhumed in order to obtain DNA. DNA was not available in 1994. Advances in technology may assist in identifying her.

Law enforcement is hopeful that someone in the community may have some information regarding our unidentified infant. It is apparent that measures to preserve the infant’s life had been tried and were unsuccessful, a medical clamp had been placed on the umbilical cord.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office at 419-784-1155 or the FBI, Toledo Resident Agency at 419-243-6122.

Assistance is being provided by the Defiance County Coroners Office and the Defiance County Prosecutors Office.

Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to Sheriff Engel at 418-784-1155, SSA Jake Hardie at 419-243-6122 or SA Vicki D. Anderson at the Cleveland Office of the FBI, 216-522-1400 or Vicki.Anderson@ic.fbi.gov.