UPDATE: Baby Precious Identified, Suspect Indicted After Cold Case Investigation (Photo)

September 21, 2023 12:29

  

“Baby Precious,” a newborn infant girl who was found deceased over a decade ago, has been identified, and a suspect has been arrested related to her death.

On Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at 8:33 a.m., North Precinct officers responded to a report of a deceased baby found in a recycling center at 4325 North Commerce Street. The Medical Examiner ruled the baby's death a homicide. Despite significant community outreach by the Portland Police Bureau and Crimestoppers of Oregon, and widespread community concern, the identity of Baby Precious remained unknown and the case went cold.

In 2019, the Portland Police Cold Case Unit took on the case under primary Detective Brendan McGuire. Detective McGuire sent tissues to a Bode Technology, a private forensics laboratory with whom the Bureau has partnered on several cases for forensic genetic genealogy assistance. It did not immediately result in a lead. In December 2021, Detective McGuire was alerted to a family connection found. But the submission was anonymous. It took another year-and-a-half of investigation to identify Baby Precious’ maternity and paternity, and locate a suspect.

Detective McGuire, with the assistance of the initial investigator, Detective Kristina Coffey, also learned that Baby Precious’ name was Amara.

In September of 2023, the case was presented to a Grand Jury by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office. On September 18, the Grand Jury indicted Amara’s father, Alnath Omar Oliver, 53, of Portland, on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (2 counts), Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree (2 counts), Rape in the Third Degree, and Concealing the Birth of an Infant. On September 21, 2023, The United States Marshals Service arrested Oliver and booked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center on the arrest warrant.

“While we continue to mourn the death of baby Amara, we hope this significant announcement helps our community with the healing process from this tragedy,” said Chief Chuck Lovell. “I want to express my appreciation for the tenacity of the investigators in this case, and the determination they had to seek justice for ‘Baby Precious.’”

In April 2022, Chief Lovell temporarily reassigned a Sergeant and two Detectives from the Cold Case Unit to the Homicide Unit to address a record number of homicides. However, the detectives retained their cases and continued to work on them, this case included, as they were able. The Portland Police Bureau recognizes the resolution of every homicide case is important for the family and community. With the assistance of our partners at the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory and the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, we will continue to seek justice for those victims that have no voice.

Oregon’s Safe Place for Newborns law (ORS 418.017) allows for a parent to leave an infant 30 days of age or younger at a hospital, birthing clinic, physician's office, sheriff's office, police station, fire station, or county health department. The parent will not face criminal penalties so long as there is no evidence of abuse present. The person leaving the newborn is not required to provide any identifying information about the newborn or parent, and may leave the facility at any time.

Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 cash for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous. Anyone wishing to submit a secure and anonymous tip regarding any unsolved felony crime should visit http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com or visit the App Store and download P3 Tips for your smart phone or tablet. Crime Stoppers of Oregon is funded 100 percent by community donations. To support Crime Stoppers with a donation, or to view other unsolved cases, please visit http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com/

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

Memorial Scheduled for 'Baby Precious' Found in North Portland Recycling Center
June 27, 2013 07:30

Portland Police Bureau Homicide investigators are continuing to investigate the death of a newborn baby found at a North Portland recycling center.
A memorial celebration for "Baby Precious" has been scheduled for June 28, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. The memorial will be held at the Maranatha Church, located at 4222 Northeast 12th Avenue. An internment will follow at Riverview Cemetery, located at 0300 Southwest Taylors Ferry Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations of new baby items or diapers will be accepted.

Crime Stoppers has received numerous tips about the case but none of them have led to the identification of the baby's mother or how the baby came to be at the recycling center.

This investigation started on Tuesday May 28, 2013, at 8:33 a.m., when North Precinct officers responded to EFI Recycling, located at 4325 North Commerce Street, on the report that a person discovered a deceased baby among recycling items.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and determined that the baby was a full-term (or nearly full-term) African American or mixed-race baby girl with the umbilical cord still attached. The Medical Examiner has ruled the baby's death as a homicide.

Based on the autopsy results, detectives believe that the baby was born within a few days of being discovered.

Detectives have released a photo of the baby's hand and foot prints as part of an emotional plea for information.

Detectives want to hear from anyone with information about this case. The mother of the baby may need or have sought medical attention shortly after the birth.

Oregon Safe Haven Law allows for a parent to leave an infant 30 days of age or younger at any authorized facility (hospital, birthing center, physician's office, sheriff's office, police station, or fire station).

###PPB###

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