Mother Arrested Nearly 50 Years After Newborn Baby Girl Found Dead in Landfill

The Columbus County Sheriff's Office cracked one of the area's oldest and "most heartbreaking" cold cases.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Nearly 50 years after a newborn baby girl was found dead inside a trash bag at a landfill in North Carolina, investigators said they finally cracked the case. The Columbus County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Cathy McKee, the infant's biological mother, who has been charged with concealing the birth of a child.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of preserving evidence and the dedication of law enforcement to solve even the oldest and most challenging cold cases. The arrest brings closure to a tragic incident that has haunted the community for nearly half a century.

The details

In 1979, deputies responded to the Columbus County landfill after the baby's body was discovered. Investigators carried out an extensive investigation at the time, but with no clear leads and limited forensic technology, the case eventually went cold. The sheriff's office formally reopened the case more than a year ago, partnering with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to review the evidence. Advancements in DNA technology allowed them to identify Cathy McKee as the child's biological mother, leading to her arrest.

  • The baby's body was discovered in 1979 at the Columbus County landfill.
  • The case was formally reopened more than a year ago by the Columbus County Sheriff's Office.
  • Cathy McKee was arrested on Tuesday afternoon.

The players

Cathy McKee

The biological mother of the newborn baby girl found dead in the landfill, who has been charged with concealing the birth of a child.

Bill Rogers

The Columbus County Sheriff, who stated that "every child who enters this world deserves protection, love, and the chance to be known."

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation

The law enforcement agency that partnered with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office to review the evidence and develop new leads in the case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As a father, this case is one that hits deeply. Every child who enters this world deserves protection, love, and the chance to be known. For 47 years, this baby girl's life -- however brief -- mattered to the investigators who first held that case in their hands and to every detective who reviewed it after. She was never just evidence, never just a report. She was a child, and she was never forgotten.”

— Bill Rogers, Columbus County Sheriff (KATV)

“Because of the compassion and foresight of those original deputies who preserved the evidence so carefully, and because of the determination of our detectives and SBI partners who have worked tirelessly on this investigation for more than a year, we are finally able to give this child what she deserved all along -- the truth. This case shows that in Columbus County, time does not erase responsibility. We remember, and we keep working until answers are found.”

— Bill Rogers, Columbus County Sheriff (KATV)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Cathy McKee's bail status at a hearing on Thursday.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of preserving evidence and the dedication of law enforcement to solve even the oldest and most challenging cold cases. The arrest brings closure to a tragic incident that has haunted the community for nearly half a century, demonstrating that time does not erase responsibility and that authorities will continue to pursue justice for victims.