OPP release new info on tragic Baby Jane Doe dumped in Grand River
Fishermen found the child’s body floating just east of the Grand River dam in Dunnville in May 2022.Since then, detectives have scoured the planet and used every tool at their disposal to identify the toddler — and determine how she died.
Now, investigators are turning to the public hoping they can finally get some answers.
“We need the community’s help in this disturbing and tragic case involving a young child,” OPP Det. Insp. Shawn Glassford said in a press release.
“We hope that the 3D facial approximation will spark someone’s memory and that they come forward. Together, we can give this child her name back.”
On Monday, the OPP released a three-dimensional (3D) facial approximation and a new video in the hopes of identifying the tragic Baby Jane Doe.
The unidentified remains of the child were discovered on May 17, 2022, by two fishermen in a boat. According to cops, she hadn’t been in the water long.
But so far, detectives are not tipping their hands on whether their investigation is a homicide probe.
The facial approximation, completed by the OPP forensic artist/reconstruction analyst, is that of a female child. It has been determined the child was between the ages of 10-and-a-half months and three years at the time of her death.
Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) results revealed that the child’s heritage is half Chinese or neighbouring countries along the southern Chinese border, and also is of North African heritage.
Glassford added: “It’s difficult to understand how someone could throw away a child like that.”
Cops now hope the 3D approximation and video will prompt the public to provide new information to assist the investigation.
In 2023, on the anniversary of the grisly discovery, Glassford gave Postmedia an update on the probe.
“We’ve checked missing person files all over North America,” Glassford said. “We’ve been conversing with different police agencies in Canada and the United States.”
The veteran detective added that it was “rare” for a child not to have been reported missing by someone.
A $50,000 reward, provided by the Government of Ontario, is also now available for information leading to the child’s identification.
Anyone who knows this child, has information that may help identify her or knows of a family who may have left town suddenly or moved away under circumstances that could now be considered suspicious, is encouraged to contact cops.
Call the dedicated tip line at 1-844-677-9403 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tip.
“There’s somebody out there, right now, who knows who this little girl is,” Glassford said in 2023.
