Today’s #cclivechat centered on the tragic case of Fredericka Mary.
Joe McGinty described the case: “In the early morning hours of Mother’s Day, May 11, 1986, a man in Needham, Massachusetts would make a disturbing discovery inside of a trash barrel as he searched for recyclable bottles at Claxton Field, a local playground in the community. Wrapped inside of a local supermarket shopping bag was the deceased remains of an infant baby girl with her umbilical cord still attached.”
Until today, we do not know the identity of baby Fredericka nor her heritage. There is no DNA from the baby on file so Joe Giacalone favoured exhumation. Joe McGinty explained how he got involved in the case and what he has done since to get Fredericka’s case more media attention.
Fredericka’s case has been officially reopened: “Recently, the Needham Police Department working with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office has reopened the case and is looking into how new tools and information could help solve the decades-old case.
In an interview with The Needham Channel, Needham Police Chief Phil Droney said the department was looking into the case and had contacted the DA’s office for assistance.
“Right now at this stage, there may be somebody out in the neighborhood or in the town or in the surrounding area that at the time didn’t come forward and might have a small piece of information that could help us in this investigation,” Droney said in the interview with The Needham Channel. “We’re hoping […] that someone might have a small part of this that could aid us, a clue, to bring this case to closure.”
Needham Police can be reached at 781-455-7570.
Next week’s #cclivechat is dedicated to Karen Caughlin whose case is featured on DCC. You can find all the posts here. Karen’s case has a new manager and we hope that the change will move the case forward.
The verbatim thread is below.
Cheers
Vidocq_CC | It is noon on the East Coast of the USA so time for another cold case live chat http://t.co/vA2rU4Lp #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:59:55 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | There is a meeting for Zeigler on Aug 30 to determine if there is enough reason to actually hold an evidentiary hearing #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:00:45 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | The cases page is being cleaned up http://t.co/oCtIuIbD and I hope to finish that this weekend. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:01:17 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | Joe, welcome and thank you for being here with us. How are you? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:02:14 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I am doing well. Thank you for having me as a guest. I have a large coffee in front of me so I am ready! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:03:35 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Please tell us how you heard of Fredericka's case. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:04:13 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Sure thing, I was reading a book several years ago about the Needham Police Department in Needham, MA. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:06:50 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I have posted a more detailed explanation of my involvement in this case at the following link: http://t.co/qa4a03ZV #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:07:36 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Right, I read that at @coldcasesquad's blog. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:08:32 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty How did you start your research in this case? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:09:32 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I started to look into the case to see if there were any new leads that developed. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:09:35 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | There were no news leads so I started to do some of my own research on the case. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:09:55 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I started by heading to the local library and searching through micofilm and microfice (Fun Stuff I tell you! ) #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:11:20 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | And of course searching the internet for new info. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:12:16 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty You mentioned that Fredericka's case was snowed under by big events and never returned in the spotlight, right? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:12:37 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | @JoeMcGinty @Vidocq_CC @FrederickaMary terrible story all around #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:13:21 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Yes, that is correct. She was discovered on May 11, 1986... #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:13:52 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | @JoeMcGinty any talk about obtaining a DNA sample from @FrederickaMary ? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:14:12 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | The Challenger disaster was late January 1986 and the Chernobyl accident was late April 1986. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:14:29 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @ColdCaseSquad Hi Joe! How are you? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:14:30 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Therse were two MAJOR stories that dominated newspaper headlines around the world for months - if not years. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:15:40 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | Hey @Vidocq_CC @JoeMcGinty how r u guys doing #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:16:21 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Hi @Coldcasesquad. I am doing well. No new info on obtaining a DNA sample from Fredericka Mary at this time. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:16:53 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Even till today we discuss them so Fredericka did not get national news attention. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:17:05 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @ColdCaseSquad @JoeMcGinty I am good, Joe! And Joe! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:17:24 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I am going to place a call into the DA's Office to see if they will discuss. They were tight lipped before about evidence. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:17:56 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty For those who do not know the case, can you give a quick summary? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:18:28 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Fredericka Mary's death gained no national attention at the time. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:18:53 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | It was a big story in local Boston area for about 2 weeks - then vanished from the headlines. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:19:09 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Summary: Infant girl found deceased in trash barrell with no identifying info and no one coming forward with info... #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:20:12 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | Here is a link to @FrederickaMary story by @JoeMcGinty http://t.co/Zgxw6K56 #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:20:30 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | A local clergy member posthumously baptized her Fredericka Mary in honor of his father, Frederick…. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:21:29 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty But she was not just an infant, she was a newborn still attached to her umbilical cord. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:21:35 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Do you expect this to be a teen birth? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:21:56 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Yes, her umbiligcal cord was still attached. Weight was 4 lbs, 7 ounces. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:22:58 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | That seems to be what most people believe. A young mother who made a terrible mistake. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:23:43 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | It would seem to be logical it would be a teen mother but there is no definitive proof at this time. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:24:27 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty She might have been scared, saw no option, did not think her family would support her. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:24:44 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | I would think it was a scared teen trying to hide it from their family and panicked #cclivechat @FrederickaMary | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:24:57 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Who are you reaching out to now to find more information? Obviously, social media, what else? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:25:13 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Hospitals were checked for woman seeking medical treatment- without a baby - but there was no one who fit that criteria. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:25:59 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Well, I brought the case to the attention of the new Police Chief in town. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:26:52 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | He was not familiar with the case but reviewed the evidence after I brought it to his attention. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:27:04 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty I can see how a teen would not seek medical care but hope to heal on her own. Have you contacted Women's Centers? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:27:23 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | He, along with the DA decided to reopen the case based on the questions I asked of the Police Department. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:28:03 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty A new Chief means a new pair of eyes so Fredericka's case gets a good review right now. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:28:10 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | I'm sure there is a privacy issue that the police would need to hurdle for that type of info #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:28:18 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Can you expand on that a little further? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:28:42 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Yes, I have been using Social Media. This is a great forum by the way along the http://t.co/EUe8hOOn #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:29:02 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | Even with a DNA sample of @FrederickaMary there is no guarantee that a profile will be matched in CODIS, but a sample is neeeded #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:29:49 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty As well as my weekly cold case chat ... shameless plug! 🙂 #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:30:17 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Sure, what exactly would you like me to expand on? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:30:44 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | @Vidocq_CC shameless plugs are always welcomed! We can't forget the missing and unsolved cases! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:31:45 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty What kind of questions did you asked the police? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:31:54 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @ColdCaseSquad No but at least it will be on file. Hopefully one day the Mito will find a match. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:32:36 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @ColdCaseSquad So agree on that but they do gets snowed under. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:32:56 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | @Vidocq_CC @JoeMcGinty that is the reason to convince the DA to exhume the body because of the new technology available #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:33:44 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I went through the media office 1st and gave them background info on the case and reported to them what I knew (cont) #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:33:55 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Wild guess here: check town's citizens records for those born around 1976 and up and see if they are still around. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:34:09 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | From the headlines of the newspapers at the time. They needed to look into the case further. Most people from 26 years earlier #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:35:02 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Investigating the crime had retired or passed away. It took several weeks for them to get back to me after reviewing the case. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:36:15 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | As a journalist I was going to cover this story with or without their help to bring the story back into the spotlight. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:36:37 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | @Vidocq_CC they may be too much of a hurcelan task-my start would have been the local high school teachers and interview them #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:36:57 +0000 |
roserandel | RT @ColdCaseSquad: Here is a link to @FrederickaMary story by @JoeMcGinty http://t.co/Zgxw6K56 #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:37:10 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Do they still have their notebooks from 1986? All cops have personal notebooks to mull things over. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:37:22 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @roserandel Hi there, friend! How are you? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:37:49 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Checking census records is a great idea! The problem is that even though the baby was discovered in Needham, (cont) #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:37:53 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @ColdCaseSquad But then you can bring a list and eliminate/cross reference, etc. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:38:17 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | She could have been from anywhere in the greater Boston area and just dumped in Needham. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:38:30 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | An important aspect of story..not just Fredericka Mary, is the Baby Safe Haven Laws now in place throughout the United States. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:38:47 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | These are designed to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again by providing options to those who dont know they are there. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:39:23 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Right, so it would have to be a census check in an area with Needham as center. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:39:30 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | @JoeMcGinty I would think someone that knew that area, I'm thinking local-interview the high school teachers in the area #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:39:56 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I do not know about the notebook aspect. I can ask again in a follow up to Police. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:40:35 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty It is indeed a good preventive option. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:41:37 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I have posted the story on several Facebook pages/groups for high school graduating classes in Needham from the 1980's. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:41:54 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | This is a teenage couple or at least a teenage girl-HS teachers are aware of a lot of things that parents don't-different time #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:41:57 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Excellent move, add local libraries, churches, and community centers. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:42:53 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | @ColdCaseSquad - Great idea. I can try to track down some teachers from the time - see if they "remember" something. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:43:56 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @ColdCaseSquad But depending on upbringing incl religion she might not have told a teacher because she feared stigma at school #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:44:11 +0000 |
roserandel | RT @Vidocq_CC: My guest for today is @JoeMcGinty who will take us through a heartbreaking case. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:44:59 +0000 |
roserandel | RT @Vidocq_CC: The cases page is being cleaned up http://t.co/oCtIuIbD and I hope to finish that this weekend. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:45:08 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | @Vidocq_CC in my day the teachers were aware of a lot of things that went unreported, not like today where there are laws #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:45:21 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Do not forget about convents in the area. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:45:48 +0000 |
ColdCaseSquad | I have to bid you all an adieu-The case of @FrederickaMary is one for #Justice #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:46:17 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | We have mentioned story several times on our newscast - The Needham Channel News to try and keep the story alive around town. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:46:49 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @ColdCaseSquad Thanks you your great input, Joe! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:47:09 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | http://t.co/0VRdmrgR is website. Site is currently under maintenance but we mention story quite frequently in newscasts. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:47:58 +0000 |
dedekeene | RT @Vidocq_CC: @ColdCaseSquad No but at least it will be on file. Hopefully one day the Mito will find a match. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:48:20 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Thank you @ColdCaseSquad for your help with this case! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:48:59 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @dedekeene Hi Dede, how are you? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:49:11 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Keep us posted on any developments in the case? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:49:50 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Absolutely. The police did want to dicuss specifics of case (evidence, witnesses etc) in order not to compromise the case. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:52:11 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Completely understand, I just hope this brainstorming helps, gives the cops ideas, etc. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:53:05 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | @Vidocq_CC This is a great forum by the way! Good job to you for your efforts! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:53:26 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty I just host, my guests do the talking! But thanks! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:54:17 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | I have submitted story to America's Most Wanted and other meida outlets hoping it gets picked up for more exposure. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:54:54 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Want to end with a call for action from people? #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:55:24 +0000 |
roserandel | @Vidocq_CC Hi back at ya!! Sorry for missing #cclivechat busy, busy. You do such great work on behalf of #coldcases!! You Rock! | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:55:31 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | Sure, please share this story with others in hopes we get the word out on this case. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:57:05 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | This was a tragedy that NEVER should have happened. Remeber, there are now Baby Safe Haven Laws in place! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:57:44 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Thank you so very much for being here today and for telling us about Fredericka. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:58:03 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Agreed, it bet it was a traumatic experience for the mother. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:58:30 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | @Vidocq_CC It has been an honor and a pleasure to be a guest in your forum. Keep up the good work. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:59:02 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | @Vidocq_CC From the closing words of John Walsh from Americas Most Wanted...Remember, you can make a difference! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:59:47 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Will do my best! I will post a recap later incl links and the verbatim thread. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 16:59:56 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty If you have a blog, link to that for even more exposure and to let the case come up in search results. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:00:24 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Agreed, we can all make a difference. We just need to reach that one person who might have moved away. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:00:51 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Thanks again, Joe and keep me posted! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:01:04 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | Next week, this forum is centered on the Karen Caughlin case. This is a Canadian cold case. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:01:47 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | Karen Caughlin's case can be found here http://t.co/RfTTqJme #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:02:31 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | Her sister, Kathy Caughlin, is organizing a protest on Aug 18 in Ontario to get the case moving. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:03:02 +0000 |
JoeMcGinty | @Vidocq_CC I do not yet have a blog but it sounds like a good idea! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:03:17 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | Please tune in next week and brainstorm with me. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:03:31 +0000 |
Org9 | RT @Vidocq_CC: Karen Caughlin's case can be found here http://t.co/RfTTqJme #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:03:51 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | @JoeMcGinty Excellent, if you do let me know so I can link to it! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:03:55 +0000 |
Org9 | RT @Vidocq_CC: Her sister, Kathy Caughlin, is organizing a protest on Aug 18 in Ontario to get the case moving. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:04:05 +0000 |
Vidocq_CC | It is past 1pm EST and I have to go. Will post recap later. Signing off! #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:04:28 +0000 |
roserandel | RT @Vidocq_CC: Karen Caughlin's case can be found here http://t.co/RfTTqJme #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:04:38 +0000 |
roserandel | RT @Vidocq_CC: Her sister, Kathy Caughlin, is organizing a protest on Aug 18 in Ontario to get the case moving. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:04:45 +0000 |
roserandel | RT @Vidocq_CC: Please tune in next week and brainstorm with me. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:04:51 +0000 |
roserandel | RT @Vidocq_CC: Next week, this forum is centered on the Karen Caughlin case. This is a Canadian cold case. #cclivechat | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:04:58 +0000 |
Org9 | #cclivechat I will be paying close attention to the/any new developments in Karen Caughlin's outstanding case.. | Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:05:37 +0000 |