DNA, video ID's mom accused of leaving dead infant at park: Prosecutors

A woman faces charges for allegedly dumping her infant in a Massachusetts park (WPRI/YouTube).

Prosecutors said DNA and surveillance footage identified a 22-year-old mother accused of leaving a dead infant for a passerby to find weeks later at a park in Massachusetts .

Daniela Michell Escobar-Mejia faces a charge of improper disposal of a body in connection with the case, prosecutors said.

“I want to thank investigators for their efforts in this very sad and tragic case,” Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in a statement, NBC Boston affiliate WBTS reported.

The case came to light on Dec. 9. New Bedford police responded to Fort Taber Park at 12:40 p.m. after receiving a 911 call regarding the discovery of a dead infant, the DA’s office said in a news release .

Once there, police learned a woman had been walking near the water with her niece when she saw a blanket near a thicket of bushes and noticed an odor of decay. Citing court records, Boston.com reported the woman also saw maggots.

The woman approached the blanket and found a white plastic bag wrapped inside, and found the decomposing body of a boy inside the plastic bag, authorities said.

She immediately yelled out to two men nearby, and one of them called 911.

Authorities said they determined through DNA testing that the boy, “Baby Doe,” had likely been dead for up to four weeks before he was found. The cause and manner of death could not be determined, prosecutors said. It was also unknown if the baby had been alive when he was ditched.

At the time, authorities said they were reviewing several weeks’ worth of surveillance footage from the surrounding area and had partnered with a private lab in Texas to perform extensive genealogical and forensic testing of DNA and other evidence collected in the case.

“As part of our efforts, we have expedited and are utilizing advanced forensic technology in an attempt to establish a familial link to the deceased infant,” Quinn said then. “If you have any information about this case, it is imperative that you come forward. No piece of information is insignificant.”

She was released on personal recognizance and was expected in court again on Sept. 12.

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