Ten Years Later: Girl’s Death in Opelika Remains a Mystery
It has been ten years since a girl’s remains were discovered in Opelika, and investigators still don’t know who she was or how she died.
Skeletal remains of the girl, who became known as “Baby Jane Doe” were found on January 28, 2012, at a trailer park on Hurst Street in Opelika. Investigators think she was between 4 to 7 years old.
“Baby Jane Doe” – Photo from Opelika Police Dept./Central Alabama CrimeStoppers
Police, other investigators and concerned residents gathered Friday to make the anniversary at the location that her body was found. Pink balloons were released to mark the sad occasion.
“I just can’t wrap my mind around it,” Lee County District Attorney Jessica Ventiere told Alabama News Network. “Every single day, I think how is this possible that we don’t have a name.”
It’s believed the child died between 2010 and 2011 with a focus on the summer or fall of 2011.
She is believed to have had medium length black hair. Her height, weight, and eye color cannot be determined. An anthropological assessment of her bones suggests she had likely been abused and malnourished.
“Somebody knows who this child is,” Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said. Harris remembers getting the call in 2012 that the child’s remains were discovered, which led to a search and the establishment of a command center. The FBI was also brought in.
“Baby Jane Doe” – Photo from Opelika Police Dept./Central Alabama CrimeStoppers
Does he think this case will be solved?
“I feel confident we’re very, very close,” he said.
Central Alabama CrimeStoppers is offering a $5,000 reward to help find answers.
“We don’t give up on any murders,” Sgt. Alfred White of the Opelika Police Department said. “We’re certainly not going to give up on the murder of a child.”
If you have any information regarding the identity of Baby Jane Doe, please call Opelika Police at (334) 705-5220 or CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP.
