The mystery surrounding the identity of "Baby Jane Doe" has been unraveled nearly 35 years after the discovery of her remains in a rural area of Ware County.
The 5-year-old victim, now identified as Kenyatta Odom, met a tragic fate at the hands of her mother, Evelyn Odom, and her live-in boyfriend, Ulyster Sanders, in 1988, as per News4Jax.
Baby Jane Doe, Killer Finally Identified After 35 Years
The story began on December 21, 1988, when road workers in Ware County made a gruesome discovery: a container inside an old television cabinet that housed the remains of a young girl.
Kenyatta's body, wrapped in a blanket and encased in concrete within a duffel bag, was found just off Duncan Bridge Road. After years of being known as "Baby Jane Doe," Kenyatta Odom finally has her name back.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jason Seacrist, in a Monday news conference, declared, "Baby Jane Doe is no longer unnamed, is no longer unknown.
The baby that was thrown out into a trash pile has been identified, and we're working to bring justice to her. Kenyatta Odom, that's the name we want out there, 'Keke.'"
Evelyn Odom, also known as Zmecca Luciana, and Ulyster Sanders are charged with aggravated battery-family violence, felony murder, conspiracy to conceal a death, and concealing an end, respectively, in the indictment.
On November 1, the grand jury indictment was submitted, bringing to a close an investigation that had lasted since the summer and culminated in their apprehension on November 9.
The shocking details of the crime emerged as the indictment revealed that Kenyatta was killed by being pushed into boiling water.
Subsequently, her mother and stepfather allegedly attempted to bury her body in cement and discard it in a trash pile. Road workers initially found the remains in December 1988, initiating an enduring quest for justice.
The identification of Kenyatta was made possible through DNA testing that began years ago and a crucial tip received by investigators in January. The young victim, who met her tragic end in her hometown of Albany, Georgia, was dumped 110 miles away outside Waycross and discovered among broken furniture and debris in the woods, according to Daily Beast.
Crimes Involving Kenyatta Odom's Mom, Boyfriend
Seacrist emphasized the significance of this breakthrough at the news conference streamed online, stating, "Baby Jane Doe is no longer unnamed, is no longer unknown. The baby that was thrown out into a trash pile has been identified, and we're working to bring justice to her."
The alleged perpetrators, Evelyn Odom and Ulyster Sanders, both remain in custody, indicted on charges that paint a horrifying picture of the crimes committed against Kenyatta.
As the legal process unfolds, the community grapples with the revelation of a young life lost to unspeakable cruelty. The case, which baffled investigators for decades, took a pivotal turn when a woman provided a critical tip in January.
This information contradicted the story by Kenyatta's mother, who claimed that the child had gone to live with her father. The end led investigators to finally identify Kenyatta, shedding light on a case that had haunted the community and law enforcement for over three decades.
As the case heads to trial, District Attorney Greg Edwards of the Albany-based Dougherty Judicial Circuit expressed confidence in the evidence gathered, stating, "We believe that there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that will lead to justice being found for Kenyatta."
The chilling story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of perseverance, advancements in forensic technology, and the role of the community in bringing justice to those who have long been denied it, NBC New York reported.
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