A California woman has been apprehended and charged with murder in connection with a 30-year-old cold case involving the death of a newborn baby. Pamela Ferreyra, 60, was taken into custody last Thursday following DNA testing that confirmed her as the mother of the infant, whose body was discovered in a paper bag at a Monterey County dumpsite in 1994.
The infant, who was found by an individual collecting cans, was known only as “Baby Garin,” named after the road where he was discovered. The name Garin, which signifies protection, was chosen to honor the child, according to Monterey County Sheriff Tina M. Nieto.
Sheriff Nieto emphasized the importance of seeking justice for every child, expressing relief at the progress made in the decades-old case. The exact age of the baby at the time of his death and whether he was alive or deceased when abandoned remains unknown.
The discovery of the infant’s body was a shocking and distressing event, said Monterey County Sheriff’s Commander Andres Rosas. He noted that cases involving crimes against children are among the most challenging and emotionally taxing for law enforcement professionals.
Ferreyra, who works as an in-home health care provider and has several children, was arrested at her residence without incident. She has been charged with one count of murder. Local news outlet KSBW-TV reported on her arrest but did not specify the number of children she has.
Ferreyra is currently being held on a $1 million bail. She is scheduled for arraignment on Friday afternoon. The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has remained unsolved for three decades, bringing a measure of closure to a community that has long sought answers.