27-Year-Old Cold Case Cracked: Suspect Arrested in Albany!
Albany police have made a breakthrough in the 27-year-old cold case of the “Baby Moses” homicide. Keri Mazzuca, 52, from Altamont, New York, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of an infant found near the Moses statue in Washington Park in 1997
. The case, which stunned the community, remained unsolved until a recent collaboration between state and federal authorities led to the identification of Mazzuca as the infant’s mother. Alongside the murder charge, she faces charges of concealing a corpse and tampering with evidence.
On the morning of September 7, 1997, the lifeless body of a baby boy, now referred to as “Baby Moses,” was discovered near the Moses statue in Albany’s Washington Park. The case quickly became known as the “Baby Moses” cold case after the location of the discovery. For years, the Albany Police Department and other law enforcement agencies continued to search for answers, but the case remained unsolved.
However, recent forensic advancements and diligent detective work reignited hope for justice. Working closely with state and federal agencies, authorities were able to link Mazzuca to the crime through DNA analysis
. Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins emphasized that the department never gave up on the case, stating that the arrest demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to pursuing justice for the most vulnerable victims, even when years have passed.
The case had a profound impact on the community when it first emerged. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan recalled the shock and disbelief that surrounded the discovery of “Baby Moses.” In a statement, she praised the law enforcement officers who tirelessly pursued the case, particularly under the leadership of Chief Hawkins. “The closure of this 27-year-old homicide demonstrates yet again the incredible dedication of the men and women of APD,” she said.
Mazzuca has been arraigned in Albany County Court and is currently being held in county jail. Alongside the second-degree murder charge, she has also been charged with concealing a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence, crimes which carry additional penalties if proven.
This case underscores the importance of advances in forensic science, particularly DNA technology, in solving cold cases. The ability to extract and analyze DNA from crime scenes has transformed the way law enforcement approaches unsolved crimes, enabling them to identify suspects and build cases that were previously deemed unsolvable.
Albany’s “Baby Moses” case highlights both the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing justice and the emotional toll that such tragedies take on communities. While Mazzuca’s arrest brings a significant development to the case, the legal process will now determine her guilt.
Authorities have expressed their gratitude to the community for their patience and support throughout the investigation. While it took over two decades, the arrest brings a sense of closure to a case that haunted Albany for many years. The next steps in the legal process will involve a thorough examination of the evidence and testimonies as Mazzuca faces trial for her alleged crimes.
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As the trial progresses, more details will likely emerge about the circumstances leading to the tragic death of the infant. For now, Albany residents and law enforcement officials alike are focused on the pursuit of justice for “Baby Moses,” a case that had seemed destined to remain unsolved but is now moving toward resolution.