A Manchester woman has been charged in the death of a newborn whose body was found in a city pond last spring, marking the first major break in a case that gripped the community for months and led to a public memorial for the unidentified child.
Hepay Juma, 26, of Manchester, was arrested Thursday and charged with reckless second-degree murder, according to the Attorney General's Office as reported by CBS News Boston. Prosecutors have not released details about how investigators connected Juma to the infant's death. Officials say the investigation is still active and that more information will be made public as the case moves ahead.
Discovery and timeline
The baby, called "Baby Jane Doe" by authorities and widely known among locals as "Baby Grace," was found floating in Pine Island Pond on March 27, 2025. Investigators later narrowed the likely timeframe for when she was placed in the water to sometime between March 25 and March 27, and they urged the public to share any photos, videos or tips that might help.
In the weeks that followed, the city held a public funeral for the infant, and officials offered a reward for information leading to answers in the case, according to New Hampshire Public Radio.
What the charge means
Under New Hampshire law, reckless second-degree murder applies when a person causes a death "recklessly under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life." It is treated as a form of murder that can carry a potential life sentence.
The law draws a line between reckless manslaughter and reckless murder based on how extreme and indifferent the conduct is judged to be. That distinction is what determines how the crime is classified and what penalties apply, as outlined in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes.
Investigation and next steps
The Attorney General's Office is leading the prosecution and says the investigation into the baby's death remains ongoing. An arraignment date for Juma had not been announced at the time of reporting, according to WMUR.
Authorities are still asking anyone who may have information about the case to call the dedicated tip line at 603-716-7236 or to submit anonymous tips through Manchester CrimeLine. Video coverage of the arrest is also available from CBS News Boston.
