A cold case from 1994 involving the death of a newborn in Monterey County, California, has had a massive breakthrough with the arrest of the infant’s mother, Pamela Ferreyra.
At a Glance
- Pamela Ferreyra, 60, has been arrested for the 1994 murder of her newborn son, known as Baby Garin.
- The infant’s body was found in a grocery bag on the side of Garin Road.
- Advances in DNA technology led to Ferreyra’s arrest after 30 years.
- Ferreyra is being held on $1 million bail and faces a murder charge.
- The case highlights the impact of technological advancements in solving cold cases.
Three-Decade-Old Cold Case Solved
In a significant breakthrough, authorities have arrested 60-year-old Pamela Ferreyra for the 1994 murder of her newborn son in Monterey County, California. The case, which remained unsolved for nearly 30 years, was cracked open thanks to advancements in DNA technology and the dedication of a newly formed cold case task force.
The Discovery of Baby Garin
The tragic story began on February 12, 1994, when the body of a newborn boy was discovered in a shopping bag at an unofficial garbage dump on the side of Garin Road in Monterey County. The infant, estimated to be about three days old, was wrapped in a pink and blue blanket. Law enforcement named the child “Baby Garin,” not only after the location where he was found but also because of the name’s meaning of protection.
“We named the baby ‘Garin,’ not only for the area where he was found but also because we stand as guardians for our community. The name ‘Garin’ means protection. Every child deserves protection and people to advocate and seek justice for them,” Monterey County Sheriff Tina M. Nieto said.
The discovery of the infant’s body shocked the community and left investigators with a heart-wrenching case to solve. Despite their efforts, the case went cold, leaving Baby Garin’s death a mystery for decades.
Breakthrough in the Investigation
The turning point in the case came when it was reopened last year by a newly formed cold case task force. Leveraging advancements in DNA technology, investigators were able to process forensic evidence that had been preserved from the original crime scene. The California Department of Justice and Othram, a private forensic lab, played crucial roles in developing a DNA profile suitable for genetic genealogy.
Solved by DNA, a Colorado-based company, provided leads on the victim’s family, ultimately leading to the identification of Pamela Ferreyra as the mother of Baby Garin. This breakthrough demonstrates the power of modern forensic techniques in resolving long-standing cold cases and bringing closure to tragic events.
Arrest and Charges
Pamela Ferreyra was arrested at her home in Watsonville without incident. She is currently being held on a $1 million bail and faces a murder charge. The district attorney’s office has stated that they have sufficient evidence to proceed with the murder charge against Ferreyra.
“Some of them seem to think that they have gotten away with it and are very surprised. Some of them have been waiting for that knock on the door for decades. I couldn’t tell you which situation this falls under, but we’re happy that this day has come and that we’re able to do something about this situation that happened 30 years ago,” Assistant District Attorney Matt L’Heureux said.
L’Heureux noted that Ferreyra has other children and works as an in-home health care provider.
Sources
- Cold Case: Mother arrested for 1994 Monterey County murder of newborn
- California Mother Charged With Murder of Dead Newborn ‘Baby Garin’ in 30-year Cold Case
- Woman arrested 30 years after a baby’s body was found discarded in a shopping bag
