Authorities said Wednesday, August 10, a Wyoming mother has been arrested and will be held accountable for the death of her child, known as “Baby Garnet.”
Nancy Ann Gerwatowski is the woman now awaiting extradition to the Upper Peninsula. She is on trial for the death of a newborn baby discovered 25 years ago in a pit of human excrement in an outhouse.
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The final hearing for Gerwatowski was held on Tuesday, August 9, in the Mackinac County 92nd Circuit Court. Authorities claim that she admitted giving birth to Baby Garnet.
Eighth District of MSP
@MSPEighthDist MSP Eighth Ward
A woman was arrested in 1997 in the “Baby Garnet” case after a combined investigation by the MSP and the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Dept. This case was solved thanks to DNA breakthroughs and the great relationships we have with our regional partners.
9 1 Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office and State Police detectives traveled to Wyoming to speak with Gerwatowski. Police said a lengthy investigation that traced the child’s DNA ancestry back to her family members was key to the identification.
According to a statement from Mackinac County Sheriff Edward, Nancy provided enough details to support an allegation of child molestation. Added him:
“Further details will be released after their indictment.”
When Baby Garnet’s body was found in a septic tank, she was between 38 and 40 weeks old
On June 26, 1997, a campground worker discovered a nearly term baby, 38 to 40 weeks pregnant, while emptying a septic tank. She underwent forensic examinations and an autopsy to identify the infant, who was dubbed Baby Garnet because of the location.
Her body was discovered near Garnet Lake Campground in Hudson Township, part of Mackinac County in the Upper Peninsula. When her body was discovered, she had been abandoned and was presumed dead. At the time, the identity of her family was unknown.
Investigators were able to begin identifying the baby’s relatives by 2017 due to advances in DNA tracking technology since then.
Lyden, David
@dmlyden9and10David Lyden
ME CURRENTLY IN: In 1997, “Baby Garnet” died, and Nancy Gerwatowski was charged with open murder in Mackinac County.
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The child’s mother was identified by a genealogist, and on July 12, 2022, detectives arrived in Wyoming and contacted Nancy Ann Gerwatowski. They spoke to the former Mackinac County resident who had now moved to Wyoming.
In a statement, the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Office said:
“I would like to thank Identifinders International, LLC and other law enforcement agencies for their hard work and diligence in resolving this case by identifying the perpetrator and filing criminal charges,” the spokesman said.
The neighborhood contributed about $1,000 to pay for the baby’s white coffin, which was buried in Hudson Township Cemetery. Almost 40 people attended her funeral and brought flowers for the memorial service.