Woman indicted for murder 35 years after infant found in Kentucky landfill
We’ve got an update on *** cold case arrest from 1991. Every day we work to obtain justice and peace for victims of crime and their families. One way we’re doing this is through the work of the Office of the State Medical Examiner. The medical examiner plays *** vital role in the investigative process. The office provides law enforcement with forensic evidence used to identify and prosecute subjects. Because of the nearly 3000 examinations the court conducts each year, Kentucky’s safer and more families get the closure that they deserve. We saw this last week thanks to the collaborative efforts of the state medical examiner’s office and the Kentucky State Police. Their work led to an arrest in the three decade old cold case out of Madison County in 1991. An unidentified baby was found dead at *** landfill in Madison County. Following an investigation, the state medical examiner’s office found that the baby was born healthy before being placed in *** dumpster at Eastern Kentucky University. Despite investigative efforts, the case went cold, but the medical examiner, along with KSP detectives in the forensic lab, did not give up. Thanks to the office of the state medical examiner, the Kentucky State Police, and other law enforcement agencies, justice is being served. Last week, these agencies identified *** person of interest living in Virginia, and the suspect was arrested and lodged in *** Kentucky jail right here in Kentucky. Today we have *** video from the Chief Medical Examiner Doctor Ralston discussing this case. Thank you Governor Brashear for taking the time to recognize the important work of the Office of the State Medical Examiner and forensic investigators across the Commonwealth. I know how much work goes into cases like this. The autopsy is just one piece of the puzzle identifying injuries and disease, determining the cause of death, and recovering and securing evidence, but often much more is needed. Death investigation is truly *** team effort, which is why I’m proud to work with Kentucky State Police investigators, the crime lab, other local law enforcement investigators, and coroners across the Commonwealth. I know the job is going to get done. Cases like this one are always in the back of my mind. But I know one day justice will be served. Advances in forensic pathology, investigative techniques, and forensic laboratory science such as DNA technology allow us to better serve Kentucky and find answers in cold cases like this. Thanks to the teamwork between our office, the Kentucky State Police, and local law enforcement, we were able to secure justice for this infant and for the Madison County community who were invested in this case and we’re hoping for an outcome like the one we got. Justice and closure are our purpose and are behind everything my office does. Together we support Kentucky families in tough times and support Kentuckians when they need it most. We’re proud to serve and will continue to work each day in the name of *** safer new Kentucky home. Thank you. Thank you to Doctor Ralston and the Kentucky State.
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Woman indicted for murder 35 years after infant found in Kentucky landfill
An arrest has been made in a decades old cold case in Kentucky involving a baby in a dumpster.Kentucky State Police arrested Jennifer Cummins, 55, of Fairfax, Virginia, on Jan. 6.Cummins was arrested in connection to the death of an infant who was found at the former Richmond Landfill in Madison County back in 1991.Police said the baby was healthy and alive before being placed in a dumpster on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus.Using forensic science and investigative technology, police were able to identify Cummins as a person of interest.She was indicted for murder by a grand jury in late 2025.”Thanks to the teamwork between our office, the care state police and local law enforcement, we were able to secure justice for this infant and for the Madison County community who were invested in this case,” Gov. Andy Beshear said on Thursday.Cummins is being held at the Madison County Detention Center.
An arrest has been made in a decades old cold case in Kentucky involving a baby in a dumpster.
Kentucky State Police arrested Jennifer Cummins, 55, of Fairfax, Virginia, on Jan. 6.
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Cummins was arrested in connection to the death of an infant who was found at the former Richmond Landfill in Madison County back in 1991.
Police said the baby was healthy and alive before being placed in a dumpster on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus.
Using forensic science and investigative technology, police were able to identify Cummins as a person of interest.
She was indicted for murder by a grand jury in late 2025.
“Thanks to the teamwork between our office, the care state police and local law enforcement, we were able to secure justice for this infant and for the Madison County community who were invested in this case,” Gov. Andy Beshear said on Thursday.
Cummins is being held at the Madison County Detention Center.
