"Baby Hope" Case Development

The New York Times has revealed that police have identified the mother of 'Baby Hope,' the name given to the corpse of a young girl stuffed in an iridescent blue cooler in a wooded area near the Dyckman Street exit off the Henry Hudson Parkway in Washington Heights on July 23, 1991. The young victim appeared to be between three and five years of age, malnourished, and subsequent tests showed she had been sexually abused.

For more than two decades, her identity has remained a mystery. No one ever came forward to report this young girl missing. In 2011, the medical examiner's office completed a DNA profile of the victim after exhuming her remains from St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx. Unfortunately, no matches were made when tested against a database of convicted felons or active missing persons cases.

As a retired police officer who worked in the Crime Stoppers unit for 13 years and a current volunteer who serves on the Board of Directors of Crime Stoppers of Suffolk County, Inc. (which I joined two days after my retirement in 2007), I have something to say (okay, a rant) about the information revealed in this article.

First, however, some information I'd like to share:

It is common practice in Crime Stoppers to profile an unsolved case on or near an anniversary date. There are several reasons for this; among them:

1)The news media refrains from airing/printing 'old news.' However, if a request by Crime Stoppers and the police emerges on/near an anniversary date, it justifies a valid reason to report, once again, on certain unsolved cases. Whether it's print, radio, TV, internet, the reporter/journalist/news broadcaster can say, "It's been X years since..." and include visuals that have been previously issued to the public, or in some cases, release a 'new' visual if one is available, and of course alert the public to the existence of the Crime Stoppers Tips Line.

2) Over time, relationships shift ~ and it's to law enforcement's benefit. Someone in possession of information who was once reluctant or afraid to come forward may now find him or herself in a different situation; it may be due to separation, death, divorce, health reasons, incarceration, a woman (or man) scorned, revenge, guilt ~ any number of reasons that a person with information may NOW feel secure ~ in some cases compelled ~ to reveal what they know. This is why it is vital for Crime Stoppers to periodically issue a plea for information, especially on an anniversary date.

3) When the plea is issued on/near the anniversary date, there's a chance that people who frequent that area during that time of year might see or hear the story, realize they can call (and now text or email) anonymously, and possibly be eligible for a cash reward, if they contact Crime Stoppers. For example, if a crime was committed the day before, after, or on a holiday ~ let's say Thanksgiving ~ if it's a habit to 'return home' to be with loved ones, the advertising of the crime might catch the attention of the 'right' people. Also, it may jar some people into realizing that the information they've held on to for so long is more significant than they realize ~ or they may even have mistakenly assumed the case was solved, and their information is unnecessary.

My years of experience in Crime Stoppers taught me this: If the 'right' person (meaning someone with information vital to an investigation) with a 'good conscience' (one who is willing to 'do the right thing') comes across the plea in whatever medium (a poster, article, blog, radio or TV news report, word-of-mouth, etc.), and becomes aware of the number to call/text/email anonymously to pass that information along, it's a formula for success.

A victim's family and friends, after years of enduring agony and heartache, might have a chance to obtain answers they've wished, hoped, prayed, and dreamed about getting.

This past summer, after the police issued a plea for information about the Baby Hope case, someone (the 'right' person) apparently came forward with information. The caller's information led to a confirmation of the mother's identity through scientific evidence.

Sadly, officials revealed the contents of the confidential tip, evidenced by the journalist printing exactly what the informant told Crime Stoppers. It's unfortunate that the journalist didn't realize the severity of the violation even if the source, the unnamed "official"quoted in this article, did not.

When I handled the tips line, my subsequent reports to corresponding units or agencies responsible for follow up did not even contain the gender of the caller, as is protocol.

The Wall Street Journal reveals that the mother has been identified and is cooperating with police. It also states that the police do not consider the mother a suspect: "...she appears to have been estranged from the girl at the time of her death."

This photo of the victim's grave was included in a tweet by Tim Fleischer from Eyewitness News:

Big break! #NYPD cracks 22 y/o cold case Baby Hope's mother found Live EWN @ 5 @eyewitnessnyc pic.twitter.com/0VtczllzEt

— Tim Fleischer (@TimFleischer7) October 8, 2013

If you look closely at the bottom of the gravestone, there's a plea for information along with the NYC Crime Stoppers number. It promises, "All calls will be kept confidential."

I am absolutely thrilled that this case may be on its way to a successful conclusion, as the identity of the Baby Hope is now known to police, and the murder investigation can properly begin. However, I am deeply saddened that "officials" decided to violate the basic premise (and promise) of the Crime Stoppers program. Because of this violation, it may preclude future callers from reaching out, as they now know that a caller's information (and gender, which can certainly clue a murderer/fugitive/bank robber/drug dealer/kidnapper/rapist in to whom called the tips line) may be exposed by "officials" to the media. This is a serious breach of trust that could have a negative impact on such a valuable program.

The information may appear to be benign in most reader's eyes, but for anyone who's worked or volunteered with Crime Stoppers, it is a blatant infraction.

The information given could have easily been provided to the media without revealing the gender of the caller nor the content of his/her information; it could simply have been revealed that as a result of the publicity on the anniversary, information was received that has led investigators to the possible identity of the mother of Baby Hope. End of story ~ at least until the investigation has a chance to get underway and updated information can be released, while all along protecting the existence and identity of the anonymous source who came forward.

In the unlikely event the informant doesn't mind having his/her identity or information revealed, in the interest of protecting the program, it's still optimal for law enforcement and journalists to keep that information confidential. If there is an insistence to have one's gender or information revealed, at the very least, a statement should be included that it's against the protocol of the Crime Stoppers program to reveal an informant's gender and the content of his/her information, but with this rare exception, it's being revealed at the request, consent, and/or insistence of the informant. In this situation, future callers might then be assured that the confidential information they may provide would not routinely be released to the public, and that Crime Stoppers does guarantees anonymity.

An updated New York Times article online now reveals:

According to two law enforcement officials who spoke only on the condition of anonymity, the mother is originally from Mexico and at one point lived in Queens. She was interviewed by detectives and Manhattan prosecutors in recent days.

Follow me on Twitter @katcop13. 

National Poetry Month: "30 Days of the 5-2" Blog Tour

I'm happy to be celebrating National Poetry Month by participating in the “30 Days of the 5-2″ Blog Tour.

Editor Gerald So publishes an original poem in text and audio/video every Monday at “The 5-2: Crime Poetry Weekly."  Submissions of poems (crime-related, or the poet’s reaction to what he or she sees as crime), 60 lines or fewer per poem (any form or style) are open year-round. The 5-2 seeks original, unpublished work only. Read the complete submission guidelines for further information. Follow Crime Poetry Weekly on Twitter @poemsoncrime.

If you would like to help promote The 5-2 Blog Tour this month, use the hashtag #30OfThe52.

During the month of April 2013, sales proceeds of poetry publications by The 5-2 will be donated to the non-profit American Academy of Poets to support poets at all stages of their careers and to foster the appreciation of contemporary poetry. Sales proceeds from The 5-2 Shop at CafePress.com will also be donated this month.

I would like to feature a poem by Christine Aletti, called "Sylvia Plath: Gaslight Left On," which was published on The 5-2: Crime Poetry Weekly on February 11, 2013 -- the 50th anniversary of the tragic suicide of 30-year-old Plath. She was the youngest person to receive a Pulitzer Prize posthumously; it was awarded in 1982 for her Collected Poems.

Sylvia Plath, via Biography.com

SYLVIA PLATH: GASLIGHT LEFT ON

I waited by the phone for you to call

the coals from burning, burning off the bed.

I suppose I never knew you at all. 

When clouds' rims reddened, rope began to fall

& overanalyzed lies swayed and pled.

I waited by the phone for you to call.

Itch my anger, the skin's started to crawl;

Crack the coating, the olive oil's bled.

I suppose I never knew you at all.

In the street, villagers started a small

affair, stomping and singing, but instead,

I waited by the phone for you to call.

There’s no enamel left here to enthrall;

Stroke heaven’s match on its gelatin head.

I suppose I never knew you at all 

This little note was just what I could scrawl:

I’m sorry. I didn't mean what I said.

I waited by the phone for you to call.

I suppose I never knew you at all.

***

Come follow me on Twitter @katcop13

New Gilgo Theory: One Killer

Today's Newsday headline blasts, "Newsday Exclusive: New Gilgo Theory: One Killer - From LI" with a sub-headline, "Top cop: Police fear serial killer will strike again."

This information surprises me, and then again, it doesn't. The first thing that came to mind is that the Police Commissioner of the past eight years, Richard Dormer, is leaving office soon (as a new County Executive, Steve Bellone, takes office in January, he will choose a new police commissioner). It's conjecture on my part, but it's possible that Newsday wanted to give him a chance to say any last parting words about the case, and he gave it to them (hence the exclusive). The article has been written by Tania Lopez.

It was nearly one year ago that a K-9 cop, conducting a search in the hopes of possibly finding evidence of missing person Shannan Gilbert, came across remains. Subsequent searches turned up multiple remains (eight females, one male, one female toddler); yet none belonged to Shannan. Dormer states in the article that detectives do not think Shannan's case is connected; that it was pure coincidence that she went missing in Oak Beach, and the bodies were found on Gilgo Beach.

I worked on the Crime Stoppers tips line (1-800-220-TIPS) for thirteen years, and spoke with hundreds of people who called with information that lead to arrests for homicide, narcotics, robbery, larceny, and other felonies. This case truly needs the break of someone with information to step forward. If you, or someone you know has information, please consider giving a call, or emailing or texting a tip anonymously. There is a cash reward available via the Crime Stoppers program, a civilian organization, of which I am a volunteer.

The Suffolk County Police Department's website has set up a page with sketches of two unidentified victims, and jewelry recovered with the remains of two victims. Please give it a brief view and see if it looks familiar.

How Quickly Life Changes

Life changed completely and unexpectedly in my family on July 7, 2011. My 40-year-old sister-in-law, Irene, died suddenly. It is believed she suffered a massive heart attack. She was my brother's widow. My brother was killed ten years ago in a motorcycle crash, four days before their fifth wedding anniversary. 

Their ten-year-old son is now an orphan. I hope to become his legal guardian, as I've been close with him since he was born, and began watching him on Saturdays when he was three months old when his mom returned to work. 

After my brother's death, I proposed the following to Irene, the single parent of a five-month-old boy: that I take him at least once a month, overnight, to give her a break; and to allow him to grow up knowing the love of his father's family. This way, if she ever needed to travel, attend an event, etc., she would always have a place for her son to stay ~ somewhere he'd already be familiar with; a place she could count on as a safe, loving environment. 

We had this arrangement for the past ten years. Hours before she died, she wrote me an e-mail asking for certain dates in July and August for my nephew to sleepover. This has been his second home his entire life. 

It's as if I was preparing for this role for ten years and didn't know it. 

We hope and pray that all goes well and my nephew will become a permanent member of our immediate family. He's been growing up with my two children more as siblings than cousins. We love him dearly. 

When a tragedy like this strikes ~ it serves as a reminder to review how prepared you and/or your family members are, regarding your wishes. Are wills completed, or do they need updating? Does someone in your family know your wishes? Do they know whom your attorney is, whom to contact, where important documents are, etc? A sudden, unexpected tragedy is difficult enough to deal with; but preparations done in advance certainly helps those left behind. 

Do the right thing ~ make sure your family knows your wishes; have a will made; maintain of list of where important documents are kept; keep a list of those to contact in case tragedy strikes ~ which I pray never does ~ but at least you'll have peace of mind knowing you've made your wishes known and have eased the burden on your loved ones. 

Here's a list of 12 Easy Steps to Preparing Your Estate Plan. Also, check out Emergencies: Are You Prepared? Your Personal Checklist of Important Documents.