How DNA technology identified baby found in Columbus County landfill in 1979 episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 30, 2026 · 42 MIN

How DNA technology identified baby found in Columbus County landfill in 1979

from Decor Threads · host AC Wilson

The episode chronicles the forty-seven-year investigation into the identity of a newborn girl discovered in a North Carolina landfill in 1979. While the case remained stagnant for decades, modern breakthroughs in forensic genetic genealogy and advanced DNA sequencing eventually allowed investigators to link the infant to her biological family. These scientific efforts, led by specialized labs and local law enforcement, resulted in the 2026 arrest of Cathy McKee, the child's mother, for concealing the birth. The narrative emphasizes how diligent evidence preservation and evolving technology can provide accountability for cold cases that were once considered unsolvable. Ultimately, the source highlights the intersection of cutting-edge science and restorative justice in bringing closure to a tragic mystery.This episode includes AI-generated content.

The episode chronicles the forty-seven-year investigation into the identity of a newborn girl discovered in a North Carolina landfill in 1979. While the case remained stagnant for decades, modern breakthroughs in forensic genetic genealogy and advanced DNA sequencing eventually allowed investigators to link the infant to her biological family. These scientific efforts, led by specialized labs and local law enforcement, resulted in the 2026 arrest of Cathy McKee, the child's mother, for concealing the birth. The narrative emphasizes how diligent evidence preservation and evolving technology can provide accountability for cold cases that were once considered unsolvable. Ultimately, the source highlights the intersection of cutting-edge science and restorative justice in bringing closure to a tragic mystery.This episode includes AI-generated content.

NOW PLAYING

How DNA technology identified baby found in Columbus County landfill in 1979

0:00 42:21

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

A Spooky Action At A Distance David Masters Welcome to 'Spooky Action at a Distance,' a weekly podcast where we chart the mysterious spaces between the mundane and mystical. From ghostly tales to UFO narratives, music phenomena to divine conundrums, our exploration rooted in para-psychology challenges conventional wisdom, ignites thought-provoking dialogues, and illuminates the enigmatic threads of existence. Guided by seasoned hosts, we venture into the labyrinth of the extraordinary, investigating each peculiarity from varied perspectives. Tune in, open your mind, and join us on this captivating quest, traversing the spectral landscapes of the strange and supernatural.A Ground Zero Radio podcast Mindful Trip Min Lee Everyone has a story and I believe that sharing your story has the power to connect people. And talking to those who’ve experienced the therapeutic magic of psychedelics and hearing about their personal journey has become my passion. Mindful Trip is a safe space to have conversations that demystify and de-stigmatize the use of psychedelics for therapeutic use. Conversations that allow us to have deeper connections with ourselves and others. I hope that sharing these intimate, funny, and inspiring stories helps you find the answers you’re looking for. So, join me in unraveling the threads, staying open, and trusting the journey. The Last Outlaws Impact Studios at UTS In a History Lab season like no other, we're pulling on the threads of one of Australia's great misunderstood histories, moving beyond the myths to learn what the Aboriginal brothers Jimmy and Joe Governor faced in both life and death.Australia's budding Federation is the background setting to this remarkable story, that sees the Governor brothers tied to the inauguration of a 'new' nation and Australia's dark history of frontier violence, racial injustice and the global trade and defilement of Aboriginal ancestral remains. This Impact Studios production is a collaboration with the Governor family, UTS Faculty of Law and Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research.The Last Outlaws teamKatherine Biber - UTS Law Professor and Chief InvestigatorAunty Loretta Parsley - Great-granddaughter of Jimmy Governor and the Governor Family Historian Leroy Parsons - Governor descendant, Narrator and Co-WriterKaitlyn Sawrey - Host, Writer and Senior ProducerFrank Lopez - Writer, Red Skelton - Old Time Radio Shows Inception Point Ai In the tapestry of American entertainment, Red Skelton threads a vibrant color of joy. His journey with NBC began in 1939, a time when radio was the hearth around which America gathered. Sponsored by Avalon Cigarettes, Skelton's voice became a familiar comfort with "Avalon Time." As the world braced for change, on October 7, 1941, Skelton offered a new respite, "The Raleigh Cigarette Program." Here, he wove together a patchwork of characters, each unique in their follies and affections, from the lovably disoriented Cauliflower McPugg to the ever inebriated Willie Lump-Lump.One could hear the laughter of a nation in Junior's catchphrase, "I dood it!" — a phrase that wiggled its way into the very lexicon of America. There was the crafty San Fernando Red, with his peculiar seagull companions, Gertrude and Heathcliffe, and the endearing Clem Kadiddlehopper, whose naiveté often outshone the glitter of high society, much to the chagrin of his cynical father.In those times of global unrest, S

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Decor Threads?

This episode is 42 minutes long.

When was this Decor Threads episode published?

This episode was published on June 30, 2026.

What is this episode about?

The episode chronicles the forty-seven-year investigation into the identity of a newborn girl discovered in a North Carolina landfill in 1979. While the case remained stagnant for decades, modern breakthroughs in forensic genetic genealogy and...

Can I download this Decor Threads episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!