'She was discarded': Newborn baby found floating in pond was killed by her mother, authorities say

A pistillate successful New Hampshire is accused of sidesplitting her newborn baby, whose decease was treated arsenic "suspicious" aft she was recovered floating successful a pond.

Hepay Juma, 26, was arrested for reckless second-degree murder "for causing the decease of Baby Jane 'Grace' Doe, her child, nether circumstances manifesting an utmost indifference to the worth of quality life," the New Hampshire Department of Justice announced connected Thursday. The apprehension comes astir a twelvemonth aft the infant's assemblage was found.

On March 27, 2025, a pistillate said she saw a assemblage floating successful Pine Island Pond successful Manchester, New Hampshire, according to section ABC affiliate WMUR. The Manchester Police Department was contacted, and responding officers investigated.

Police noted that the child's decease was "suspicious," and they reportedly determined that the assemblage was placed successful the h2o astatine immoderate constituent betwixt March 25 and March 27, 2025. However, they were incapable to place the baby, and for months, they asked for the public's assistance with the case.

In May 2025, a nationalist ceremonial was held for the kid victim, who has been referred to arsenic "Grace" since her death. "The mode she was discarded is heartbreaking, and it is important that we springiness her a due farewell," Manchester Police Chief Peter Marr said astatine the time, per Boston-based CBS affiliate WBZ-TV.

The probe continued, and constabulary were capable to place those they judge were progressive oregon related to the child. Though authorities person not released the baby's existent sanction oregon origin of death, the girl's begetter was reportedly portion of the investigation.

"We felt that determination was capable grounds to proceed with an apprehension for reckless second-degree murder," Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen told WMUR of the complaint against the mother, adding that the babe was a newborn. "That means that this was a homicide, that Hepay Juma caused the decease of Baby Doe."

Authorities said that the probe is ongoing.