Mary Catherine Snyder Crumlich Sentenced to 1 Year for Leaving Newborn to Die in 1984

On April 21, 2024, Mary Catherine Snyder Crumlich, now 57 years old, was sentenced to 1 year in jail for manslaughter in the 1984 death of a newborn baby girl known as 'Baby Mary' in Mendham Township, New Jersey. Crumlich left the baby, with her umbilical cord still intact, wrapped in a towel in a plastic bag in the woods on Christmas Eve when she was 17 years old. The baby's body was later discovered by young boys and her death was ruled a homicide.

The case went cold for 40 years until DNA evidence led police to Crumlich. In 2014, a DNA profile was established for Baby Mary, leading the Morris County Cold Case Unit to reopen the investigation. Detectives worked with a genealogist and found a DNA match to a man who had died by suicide, which led them to focus on Crumlich as a suspect.

Crumlich was arrested in 2020 and charged as a juvenile due to her age at the time of the offense. She was ultimately convicted and began serving her 364-day sentence at the Morris County Correctional Facility on April 3, 2024.

Why this matters: The resolution of the Baby Mary case after four decades serves as proof of law enforcement's dedication to pursuing justice for victims, even in cold cases. It also showcases the effectiveness of DNA evidence and genealogy in resolving long-standing mysteries and providing closure to families and communities.

Mendham Township Police Chief Ross Johnson expressed that there are still more questions than answers and doubts that Crumlich will ever publicly share the full story of what happened on that Christmas Eve in 1984. However, he acknowledged the importance of holding her accountable for her actions. "The justice system worked the way it was supposed to work," Johnson said. "Obviously, it took a long time, but ultimately she was held responsible for her new actions."

Key Takeaways

• Mary Crumlich, 57, sentenced to 1 yr for 1984 baby death
• Newborn 'Baby Mary' left to die in woods, body later found
• DNA evidence led police to Crumlich after 40-yr cold case
• Crumlich convicted as juvenile, began 364-day sentence in 2024
• Case shows law enforcement's dedication to cold case justice