Summary

In March 2022, the remains of an infant were discovered alongside a roadway in Shelby County, Tennessee, which includes the city of Memphis. Authorities responded to the scene near a church in northeast Memphis, where they found the infant wrapped in a towel and placed inside of a bag.

Following the discovery, investigators conducted an extensive search for witnesses and leads. However, despite their efforts, the infant’s identity could not be established, and the case eventually went cold. The unidentified infant was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP126323.

In early 2025, the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center partnered with Othram to explore the possibility of identifying the infant or a biological parent using advanced DNA technology. With casework costs paid by the Roads to Justice program, forensic evidence was sent to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas, where scientists successfully developed a DNA extract. Using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, Othram's team built a comprehensive DNA profile for the infant. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team used this profile to conduct a genealogical search in order to generate new investigative leads.

The information uncovered through this process ultimately led to the identification of potential relatives of the infant, allowing investigators to identify the infant’s mother. Because the investigation into the circumstances of the case is ongoing, the identity of the baby's parents will not be disclosed at this time.

This case was investigated as part of Othram’s Project 525 initiative. Launched on May 23, 2024, Project 525 is a collaborative effort between Othram and RTI International, which manages the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). The initiative aims to help resolve 525 cases involving unidentified or missing children whose details are published in NamUs.

Of the more than 24,400 active missing persons cases currently supported by NamUs, approximately 24 percent involve juveniles. In addition, NamUs is assisting with more than 1,200 active unidentified decedent cases involving children. By leveraging the efficient and comprehensive case assessment framework established by NamUs, Project 525 seeks to help restore names to some of the most vulnerable members of our population.

The identification of the child's mother represents the the 24th publicly announced case in the State of Tennessee. To see more cases in Tennessee, including those that have been solved and those that are still in need of funding, check DNASolves.