Murder of Texas Newborn Solved Nearly 40 Years Later After Forensic Genealogy Matched Woman to Specific Air Base

A cold case from 1988 has reached a significant resolution with the recent guilty plea of Tammy Sue Kerns, who has admitted to the murder of her newborn son. The case, which had been closed for nearly three decades, was reignited in 2015 when the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) began a renewed effort to uncover the truth surrounding the infant’s death.

The tragic discovery of the baby boy occurred on 4 August 1988, when his body was found hidden in a laundry bin at Ponds Laundry in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was wrapped in linens belonging to the Air Force Regional Hospital at nearby Sheppard Air Force Base, where Kerns was employed at the time. An autopsy performed in the following days revealed no toxic substances and indicated no visible abnormalities, leading investigators to close the case without identifying any suspects.

However, the investigation was reopened in 2015 after the AFOSI decided to pursue new leads. Their efforts included conducting interviews and ultimately resulted in DNA sampling in 2017, which was sent to the Air Force’s DNA Identification Laboratory. This reinstatement of the inquiry marked the beginning of a lengthy process to uncover the identity of the mother, as DNA technology began allowing for familial connections to be drawn from samples.

In 2022, the private forensic laboratory Othram was brought on board to process the DNA from the infant. After analysing the results, they identified the biological father, who was subsequently interviewed in 2024. Drawing upon personnel records from the late 1980s, investigators narrowed down the search and found Kerns, who was the only woman stationed at Andrews Air Force Base during the time of conception and at Sheppard Air Force Base when the child died.

Kerns was then interviewed by officials, where she confessed to being the child’s mother. According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Kerns disclosed that she had concealed her pregnancy and gave birth alone during a night shift in the hospital’s X-ray room. In a shocking revelation, she admitted to suffocating her newborn by covering his mouth until he ceased breathing. Following the act, she cut the umbilical cord and placed the infant in a laundry bin before returning to her duties.

To confirm her identity as the mother, Kerns voluntarily provided a DNA sample, which corroborated her confession. The relentless work of forensic genealogists and investigative personnel has unveiled truths that had long been hidden, bringing closure to a tragedy that had remained unsolved for decades.

Ryan Raybould, the U.S. Attorney for the region, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts that led to this breakthrough. “Forensic genealogy shattered the silence surrounding this crime and revealed the truth the defendant hid for nearly forty years,” he stated. Raybould further emphasized that time does not offer protection to those who commit violent crimes and commended the diligence of the investigative teams involved.

Sentencing for Kerns is scheduled for 8 January 2027, where she faces a prison term ranging from five to twenty years, along with a potential fine of up to £250,000 and a supervised release of up to five years. The length of her sentence reflects the severity of her crime and the lasting impact it has had on the community and the families involved.

This case underlines the advancements in forensic technology and genealogical research, showcasing how these modern techniques can bring justice to long-forgotten tragedies. As the legal proceedings unfold, it serves as a reminder of the importance of relentless investigative work and the efforts made to ensure that justice prevails, no matter how long it takes.