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Background: Pine Island Pond in Manchester, New Hampshire (WMUR-TV/YouTube). Inset: Hepay Juma (Manchester Police Department).
In a distressing case out of New Hampshire, a young woman stands accused of the tragic killing of her newborn, a case that has drawn significant attention due to its heart-wrenching details. The infant, whose death was initially categorized as “suspicious,” was discovered floating in a pond, leading to an investigation that gripped the community.
Hepay Juma, aged 26, now faces charges of reckless second-degree murder. Authorities allege that she caused the death of her newborn, referred to as Baby Jane “Grace” Doe, showing a shocking disregard for the infant’s life. This announcement by the New Hampshire Department of Justice was made public on Thursday, nearly a year after the grim discovery of the baby’s body.
It was on March 27, 2025, when a local resident reported a chilling sight in Pine Island Pond, located in Manchester, New Hampshire. The body of the infant was seen floating, prompting a call to the Manchester Police Department, which swiftly began an investigation, as reported by WMUR, an ABC affiliate.
From the outset, police labeled the death as suspicious. They deduced that the baby had been placed in the water sometime between March 25 and March 27, 2025. Despite their efforts, identifying the infant proved difficult, leading to pleas for public assistance in unraveling the mystery surrounding the case.
In a poignant gesture of respect, a public funeral was held in May 2025 for the child known as “Grace.” This event underscored the community’s shared sorrow and determination to honor the infant’s short life. “The way she was discarded is heartbreaking, and it is important that we give her a proper farewell,” Manchester Police Chief Peter Marr expressed during the ceremony, as reported by WBZ-TV, a CBS affiliate based in Boston.
The investigation continued, and police were able to identify those they believe were involved or related to the child. Though authorities have not released the baby’s real name or cause of death, the girl’s father was reportedly part of the investigation.
“We felt that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with an arrest for reckless second-degree murder,” Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen told WMUR of the charge against the mother, adding that the baby was a newborn. “That means that this was a homicide, that Hepay Juma caused the death of Baby Doe.”
Authorities said that the investigation is ongoing.