Virginia woman arrested in decades-old cold case involving baby found dead at EKU

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A Virginia woman is expected to be brought back to Kentucky to face charges in a cold case that dates back more than three decades — the death of a baby whose remains were found in a dumpster near Eastern Kentucky University.

According to the Kentucky State Police, 55-year-old Jennifer Cummins was arrested Tuesday in Fairfax, Virginia, in connection with a case that began in 1991. Investigators say Cummins is currently in jail and awaiting extradition to Kentucky.

State police say the case goes back to 1991, when an EKU sanitation worker discovered the remains of a baby in a dumpster at the former Richmond landfill in Madison County. The infant became known as “Baby Jane Doe.”

The state medical examiner later determined the baby had been born alive and healthy before being placed in the dumpster, according to investigators.

Trooper Justin Kearney with Kentucky State Police says the case eventually went cold, but it was never forgotten.

“Even after decades of time that has passed, with the collaboration of new technologies, advancements, and persistence, we’ve been able to discover new leads in this case,” Kearney said. “That’s why it’s so important for people to know these cases never go cold to us.”

Investigators say advancements in forensic science played a key role in identifying Cummins as a suspect all these years later.

Even with the arrest, Kearney says investigators are still asking for the public’s help — especially with one critical detail that remains unanswered.

“One part that remains unresolved is where this child was buried,” Kearney said. “Despite extensive efforts, we have not been able to identify where the child was buried. If anyone has any knowledge of this case or remembers something from 1991, we’re asking them to please reach out.”

Kentucky State Police say the investigation remains active, and more information could be released as the case moves forward.

ABC36 NEWS NOW will continue to follow the case and share updates, including how forensic science helped revive the investigation decades later.