The Iowa City Police Department has made an arrest in a 32-year-old death investigation.
On December 21, 1992, the body of an unidentified infant - Baby John Doe - was discovered at the Iowa City Landfill. The Iowa City Police Department, with assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, launched an extensive investigation into the child's death. However, due to the lack of known circumstances surrounding the birth and death of the baby and limitations in DNA technology, the case did not progress.
Thanks to advances in DNA testing, the case was reopened in October 2020 and evidence was resubmitted for testing. As a result, investigators determined the mother of the child was 58-year-old Cindy Sue Elder, formerly known as Cindy Sue Eckrich. Elder was 26 years old at the time of the incident.
In February 2022, Elder was discovered to be living in Clever, Mo. Investigators spoke with Elder, who admitted to giving birth while living in an Iowa City residence. Elder told police the baby was born alive and she did not know how the baby died. She placed the newborn in a plastic sack and deposited it in a trash receptacle in Coralville, near the residence of the Elder's father. The father of the child told police he was unaware Elder was ever pregnant or that she had given birth to a child.
The investigation into the death of Baby John Doe determined Elder's actions led to the child's death. As a result, Elder faces one count of First-Degree Murder.
"This case exemplifies our commitment to crime victims, especially ones so vulnerable," said Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston. "I am grateful for the dedication, partnerships, and technological advances that have made this arrest possible."
The Iowa City Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Johnson County Attorney's Office, Johnson County Medical Examiner's Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Coralville Police Department. The case will be prosecuted by the Iowa Attorney General's Office and Johnson County Attorney's Office. No further information is available at this time.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Safe Haven Act
Iowa's Safe Haven Act, enacted in 2002, allows parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 90 days without fear of prosecution. Learn more here.
