Mother Confesses to Killing Newborn 33 Years After Baby Jane Doe Found Dead on N.Y. Road

Denise Merker, 55, allegedly told police "I did it" and admitted to smothering her crying baby in 1993

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Denise Merker, a 55-year-old woman, has been charged with second-degree murder in the 1993 death of her newborn baby, known as Baby Jane Doe, after allegedly confessing to the crime earlier this month. According to a felony complaint, Merker told a detective "I did it. I did everything" and admitted to putting a paper towel in the baby's mouth because she would not stop crying. The newborn was found dead on the side of a road in Calverton, New York in 1993, and police were unable to determine the parents at the time due to the limited forensic DNA testing available. It is unclear why Merker allegedly confessed to the crime now, 33 years later.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of solving cold cases, especially those involving newborns, and the potential for new forensic technologies and investigative techniques to uncover long-buried secrets. It also raises questions about the motivations behind Merker's alleged confession after over three decades, as well as the mental health and social factors that may have contributed to the tragic death of the infant.

The details

According to the felony complaint, on February 2, 2026, Denise Merker allegedly confessed to a detective from the Suffolk County Police Department, saying "I did it. I did everything" and admitting to putting a paper towel in the baby's mouth because she would not stop crying. Merker was then charged with second-degree murder in the 1993 death of the newborn, known as Baby Jane Doe, whose body was found on the side of the road in Calverton, New York. Police were unable to determine the parents at the time due to the limited forensic DNA testing available in the early 1990s.

  • Baby Jane Doe was found dead on the side of the road on September 27, 1993 in Calverton, New York.
  • On February 2, 2026, Denise Merker allegedly confessed to the crime to a detective from the Suffolk County Police Department.
  • Merker was booked into custody the following day on February 3, 2026 and has remained at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility since then.
  • Merker's first court appearance was scheduled for March 2, 2026, but was postponed for unknown reasons.

The players

Denise Merker

A 55-year-old woman who has been charged with second-degree murder in the 1993 death of her newborn baby, known as Baby Jane Doe.

Suffolk County Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated the 1993 death of Baby Jane Doe and recently received Merker's alleged confession.

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What they’re saying

“I did it. I did everything.”

— Denise Merker (People)

“I put the paper towel in the baby's mouth because she was crying.”

— Denise Merker (People)

What’s next

Merker is expected to make her first court appearance on March 2, 2026 after her initial scheduled dates were postponed. The judge will decide whether to allow her to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the challenges of solving cold cases, especially those involving newborns, and the potential for new forensic technologies to uncover long-buried secrets. It also raises important questions about the mental health and social factors that may have contributed to the death of the infant, and the motivations behind Merker's alleged confession after over three decades.