Hepay Juma, 26, has been arrested on charges of reckless second-degree murder in connection with the death of her newborn baby, referred to as “Baby Jane ‘Grace’ Doe.” The baby’s body was found floating in Pine Island Pond in Manchester, New Hampshire, on March 27, 2025. Juma is accused of causing the death of her child under circumstances that showed extreme indifference to the value of human life, nearly a year after the infant’s body was discovered.
Discovery of the Baby’s Body and Ongoing Investigation
The body of the infant was found by a woman who reported seeing it in the pond. Manchester Police quickly responded, noting that the death was suspicious. Authorities determined that the baby had been placed in the water between March 25 and March 27, 2025, but the child’s identity remained unknown for several months. In May 2025, a public funeral was held for the infant, who had been referred to as “Grace.” The case garnered attention, and police continued their investigation, seeking information from the public.
Charges and Evidence Leading to the Arrest
In the months following the discovery, police gathered evidence and identified individuals linked to the child. While the exact cause of death and the baby’s real name have not been released, authorities confirmed that Juma, the baby’s mother, was arrested after enough evidence was gathered. Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen confirmed that there was sufficient evidence to charge Juma with reckless second-degree murder, stating that the death was determined to be a homicide.
