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February 16, 2022 - Harrisburg, PA

Pennsylvania State Police Investigating 1980 Baby Doe Cold Case, Seeking Tips

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) announced that it continues to investigate a 1980 cold case involving the homicide of Baby Boy John Doe in Larksville Borough, Luzerne County. In addition to a partnership with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office and Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, PSP encourages the public to submit tips to Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers.

"With the advancements in technology over the years, the Pennsylvania State Police continues to look for new ways to support older cases," said Major Jeremy Richard, PSP Acting Deputy Commissioner of Operations. "We are hopeful that technological advancements combined with public support will generate leads and a conclusion for this case."

The Criminal Investigation Unit at Troop P, Wilkes-Barre began its investigation on Aug. 6, 1980, after an employee of the now defunct West Side Landfill discovered the infant's body within the mounds of garbage dumped from local waste haulers. An autopsy determined the full-term, white, male infant had died within two hours of birth due to immediate neglect. A second forensic opinion in 2000 held that the infant may have lived for several days. Baby Boy John Doe is listed as Unidentified Person 15765 (UP-15765) in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS).

Speakers Include:
Master Trooper Deanna Piekanski
Trooper Edward Urban, Lead Investigator
Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce



The Pennsylvania State Police discuss a new partnership with Othram Inc. to assist with a 1980 cold case investigation involving the homicide of Baby Boy John Doe in Larksville Borough. The new partnership will utilize advanced DNA testing, a first of its kind in the country for a private laboratory, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_01.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Criminal Investigation Unit at Troop P, Wilkes-Barre began its investigation on Aug. 6, 1980, after an employee of the now defunct West Side Landfill discovered the infant's body within the mounds of garbage dumped from local waste haulers. Pennsylvania State Police announce a new partnership with Othram Inc. to assist with the case, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_02.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Criminal Investigation Unit at Troop P, Wilkes-Barre began its investigation on Aug. 6, 1980, after an employee of the now defunct West Side Landfill discovered the infant's body within the mounds of garbage dumped from local waste haulers. Pennsylvania State Police announce a new partnership with Othram Inc. to assist with the case, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_03.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Criminal Investigation Unit at Troop P, Wilkes-Barre began its investigation on Aug. 6, 1980, after an employee of the now defunct West Side Landfill discovered the infant's body within the mounds of garbage dumped from local waste haulers. Pennsylvania State Police announce a new partnership with Othram Inc. to assist with the case, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_04.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Edward Urban, who serves as the lead investigator of the case, discusses PSP's partnership with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office and Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, and encourages public to submit tips, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_05.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Edward Urban, who serves as the lead investigator of the case, discusses PSP's partnership with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office and Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, and encourages public to submit tips, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_06.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Edward Urban, who serves as the lead investigator of the case, discusses PSP's partnership with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office and Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, and encourages public to submit tips, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_07.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Luzerne County District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce discusses partnership with Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, and encourages public to submit tips, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_08.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Luzerne County District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce discusses partnership with Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, and encourages public to submit tips, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_09.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Pennsylvania State Police discuss a new partnership with Othram Inc. to assist with a 1980 cold case investigation involving the homicide of Baby Boy John Doe in Larksville Borough. The new partnership will utilize advanced DNA testing, a first of its kind in the country for a private laboratory, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_10.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Pennsylvania State Police discuss a new partnership with Othram Inc. to assist with a 1980 cold case investigation involving the homicide of Baby Boy John Doe in Larksville Borough. The new partnership will utilize advanced DNA testing, a first of its kind in the country for a private laboratory, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_11.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Trooper Deanna Piekanski, Public Information Officer with the Pennsylvania State Police, announces a new partnership that will aid in the continued investigation of a 1980 cold case involving the homicide of Baby Boy John Doe, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022. <br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_12.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Edward Urban, who serves as the lead investigator of the case, discusses PSP's partnership with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office and Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, and encourages public to submit tips, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_13.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Pennsylvania State Police discuss a new partnership with Othram Inc. to assist with a 1980 cold case investigation involving the homicide of Baby Boy John Doe in Larksville Borough. The new partnership will utilize advanced DNA testing, a first of its kind in the country for a private laboratory, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_14.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Luzerne County District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce discusses partnership with Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, and encourages public to submit tips, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_15.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Luzerne County District Attorney Samuel Sanguedolce discusses partnership with Othram Inc. to modernize the investigative response, and encourages public to submit tips, in Wilkes-Barre, PA on February 16, 2022.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/20533_psp_babyDoe_16.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>