SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Thirty-seven years ago yesterday, an abandoned newborn baby boy was found dead near a field south of East 26th Street and South Sycamore Avenue.
Sioux Falls Police spokesman Sam Clemens says at the time in 1981, police exhausted all possible leads, but were not able to find the mother. Clemens says the baby appeared to have a normal childbirth and the coroner determined he died of exposure.
Eight years ago, Detective Mike Webb began looking into this unsolved homicide. Clemens says new technology was used to obtain a DNA sample. Clemens won't say how the police obtained the DNA sample.
Clemens says Sioux Falls Police worked closely with the Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office and the South Dakota State Crime Lab to check that DNA with known offenders to possibly find a match of a relative. While the initial scan was unsuccessful, Clemens says that sample is still periodically checked with the hope of finding a match.
Police are hoping someone may come forward with information about this case. Clemens says any details could help solve this crime. Previously unreleased crime scene photos are now being released (see above and at right) to help show the area and details of the blanket, sheet, and shirt that were found with the newborn.
Click the video at right to watch Clemens discuss the case at today's police briefing.