NC woman charged in 47-year-old Columbus County landfill newborn case

Advances in DNA technology led to the arrest of Cathy McKee, 69, in the 1979 cold case

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A 69-year-old woman from Whiteville, North Carolina has been arrested and charged with felony concealing the birth of a child in connection with a 47-year-old cold case. In 1979, the body of a newborn baby girl was discovered inside a trash bag at the Columbus County landfill, but the case remained unsolved until recently when advances in DNA technology allowed investigators to identify Cathy McKee as the infant's mother.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of preserving evidence, even in the oldest unsolved cases, as advancements in forensic science can sometimes provide breakthroughs decades later. It also underscores the emotional toll that unresolved tragedies can have on a community.

The details

According to the Columbus County Sheriff's Office, the newborn baby girl's body was discovered at the local landfill in 1979. Despite an investigation at the time, the case went cold. In recent years, new DNA testing methods allowed investigators to pursue fresh leads, ultimately leading them to identify Cathy McKee as the infant's mother. McKee was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and charged with felony concealing the birth of a child.

  • The newborn baby girl's body was discovered at the Columbus County landfill in 1979.
  • The case remained unsolved for nearly five decades.
  • In recent years, advances in DNA technology allowed investigators to reopen the case and identify a suspect.
  • Cathy McKee, 69, was arrested on Tuesday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Cathy McKee

A 69-year-old woman from Whiteville, North Carolina who has been charged with felony concealing the birth of a child in connection with the 1979 cold case.

Columbus County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that investigated the 1979 case and recently used advances in DNA technology to identify a suspect.

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What they’re saying

“Long before modern DNA testing existed — and before anyone could have imagined the scientific advancements that would come — they treated the case with extraordinary care. They collected detailed evidence and preserved it meticulously, not knowing whether it would ever lead to answers, but believing that someday it might. Their professionalism, compassion, and foresight ensured that this baby girl would not be lost to time.”

— Sheriff Bill Rogers, Columbus County Sheriff (WRAL)

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to grant bail for Cathy McKee at a hearing scheduled for next week.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the importance of thorough evidence collection and preservation, even in the face of unsolved crimes. Thanks to the diligence of the original investigators and the advancement of DNA technology, justice may finally be served nearly five decades later.