Topline: Prosecutors allege the 26-year-old caused her child’s death “under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life.”
Published: March 2, 2026 8:47 am ET
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Hepay Juma (via Manchester New Hampshire Police Department)
CONCORD, NH — Nearly a year after a kayaker spotted the body of a newborn girl floating in a New Hampshire pond, authorities say the child’s mother has been arrested and charged in her death.
Attorney General John M. Formella and Manchester Police Chief Peter A. Marr announced that Hepay Juma, 26, of Manchester, was arrested on a charge of reckless second-degree murder in connection with the death of Baby Jane “Grace” Doe. According to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Juma is accused of causing the death of her child “under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life.”
The infant’s body was discovered March 27, 2025, floating in Pine Island Pond in Manchester. According to WMUR, police later determined the baby had been placed in the pond sometime during a three-day period between March 25 and March 27, though they were initially unable to identify her.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen said investigators believed they had gathered enough evidence to move forward.
“We felt that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with an arrest for reckless second-degree murder,” Chong Yen said. “That means that this was a homicide, that Hepay Juma caused the death of Baby Doe.”
An autopsy led authorities to treat the death as suspicious, according to CBS News. Investigators have not disclosed how the baby died or how they ultimately identified Juma. A police affidavit in the case has been sealed, the Union Leader reported.
Police have determined that the newborn died “by homicide of unspecified means,” according to the criminal complaint cited by the Union Leader.
Chong Yen declined to provide specific details about the investigative steps that led to the arrest.
“Unfortunately, we can’t go into much detail about what that involved in terms of the identification,” he said. “What we can say is that Manchester was tireless in terms of tracking every lead and following up on information provided by the public and making sure they took the investigative steps to be able to make the correct identification.”
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that all parties in the case, including the baby’s father, have now been identified, though their names are not being released. News 9 reported that the father was part of the investigation.
“One of the things that we can say is that the baby was a newborn,” Chong Yen said. “In terms of how old, in terms of weeks, if that were the case, you know, we can’t really go into that amount of detail.”
At the time the baby’s body was found, Chief Marr described the death as “extremely tragic,” according to CBS News. Police publicly appealed for help, asking whether anyone had seen someone discarding anything in the water in the prior 14 days or knew of a pregnant woman who had recently given birth and required medical attention. Authorities also offered a $5,000 reward for information, WMUR reported.
“My message for the mother would be to come forward and tell us what happened,” Marr said at the time, according to the Union Leader.
In May 2025, a public funeral was held at Connor-Healy Funeral Home, where community members gathered to honor the infant. Police had given her the name “Grace” to reflect what CBS News described as an effort “to celebrate the kindness extended to her by those who refuse to let her life go unrecognized.” Chief Marr said at the time, “The way she was discarded is heartbreaking, and it is important that we give her a proper farewell.”
Juma waived arraignment Friday morning in Manchester District Court and did not appear in person or by video, according to the Union Leader. She remains detained, and a probable cause hearing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. next Thursday. Many defendants, on the advice of counsel, waive a probable cause hearing, which would send the case directly to Superior Court.
Juma is being represented by public defender Maya Dominguez.
The Department of Justice said the exact circumstances surrounding the infant’s death remain under active investigation. The charges and allegations against Juma are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Investigators have asked anyone who recognizes Juma’s name or photo and has relevant information to contact authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Mother Charged With Murder in Case of Baby Found Floating in Pond
Prosecutors allege the 26-year-old caused her child’s death “under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life.”
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 2, 2026 8:47 am ET
Hepay Juma (via Manchester New Hampshire Police Department)
CONCORD, NH — Nearly a year after a kayaker spotted the body of a newborn girl floating in a New Hampshire pond, authorities say the child’s mother has been arrested and charged in her death.
Attorney General John M. Formella and Manchester Police Chief Peter A. Marr announced that Hepay Juma, 26, of Manchester, was arrested on a charge of reckless second-degree murder in connection with the death of Baby Jane “Grace” Doe. According to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Juma is accused of causing the death of her child “under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life.”
The infant’s body was discovered March 27, 2025, floating in Pine Island Pond in Manchester. According to WMUR, police later determined the baby had been placed in the pond sometime during a three-day period between March 25 and March 27, though they were initially unable to identify her.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen said investigators believed they had gathered enough evidence to move forward.
“We felt that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with an arrest for reckless second-degree murder,” Chong Yen said. “That means that this was a homicide, that Hepay Juma caused the death of Baby Doe.”
An autopsy led authorities to treat the death as suspicious, according to CBS News. Investigators have not disclosed how the baby died or how they ultimately identified Juma. A police affidavit in the case has been sealed, the Union Leader reported.
Police have determined that the newborn died “by homicide of unspecified means,” according to the criminal complaint cited by the Union Leader.
Chong Yen declined to provide specific details about the investigative steps that led to the arrest.
“Unfortunately, we can’t go into much detail about what that involved in terms of the identification,” he said. “What we can say is that Manchester was tireless in terms of tracking every lead and following up on information provided by the public and making sure they took the investigative steps to be able to make the correct identification.”
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that all parties in the case, including the baby’s father, have now been identified, though their names are not being released. News 9 reported that the father was part of the investigation.
“One of the things that we can say is that the baby was a newborn,” Chong Yen said. “In terms of how old, in terms of weeks, if that were the case, you know, we can’t really go into that amount of detail.”
At the time the baby’s body was found, Chief Marr described the death as “extremely tragic,” according to CBS News. Police publicly appealed for help, asking whether anyone had seen someone discarding anything in the water in the prior 14 days or knew of a pregnant woman who had recently given birth and required medical attention. Authorities also offered a $5,000 reward for information, WMUR reported.
“My message for the mother would be to come forward and tell us what happened,” Marr said at the time, according to the Union Leader.
In May 2025, a public funeral was held at Connor-Healy Funeral Home, where community members gathered to honor the infant. Police had given her the name “Grace” to reflect what CBS News described as an effort “to celebrate the kindness extended to her by those who refuse to let her life go unrecognized.” Chief Marr said at the time, “The way she was discarded is heartbreaking, and it is important that we give her a proper farewell.”
Juma waived arraignment Friday morning in Manchester District Court and did not appear in person or by video, according to the Union Leader. She remains detained, and a probable cause hearing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. next Thursday. Many defendants, on the advice of counsel, waive a probable cause hearing, which would send the case directly to Superior Court.
Juma is being represented by public defender Maya Dominguez.
The Department of Justice said the exact circumstances surrounding the infant’s death remain under active investigation. The charges and allegations against Juma are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Investigators have asked anyone who recognizes Juma’s name or photo and has relevant information to contact authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mother Charged With Murder in Case of Baby Found Floating in Pond
Prosecutors allege the 26-year-old caused her child’s death “under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life.”
By Jacob Charles
Published: March 2, 2026 8:47 am ET
Hepay Juma (via Manchester New Hampshire Police Department)
CONCORD, NH — Nearly a year after a kayaker spotted the body of a newborn girl floating in a New Hampshire pond, authorities say the child’s mother has been arrested and charged in her death.
Attorney General John M. Formella and Manchester Police Chief Peter A. Marr announced that Hepay Juma, 26, of Manchester, was arrested on a charge of reckless second-degree murder in connection with the death of Baby Jane “Grace” Doe. According to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Juma is accused of causing the death of her child “under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life.”
The infant’s body was discovered March 27, 2025, floating in Pine Island Pond in Manchester. According to WMUR, police later determined the baby had been placed in the pond sometime during a three-day period between March 25 and March 27, though they were initially unable to identify her.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen said investigators believed they had gathered enough evidence to move forward.
“We felt that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with an arrest for reckless second-degree murder,” Chong Yen said. “That means that this was a homicide, that Hepay Juma caused the death of Baby Doe.”
An autopsy led authorities to treat the death as suspicious, according to CBS News. Investigators have not disclosed how the baby died or how they ultimately identified Juma. A police affidavit in the case has been sealed, the Union Leader reported.
Police have determined that the newborn died “by homicide of unspecified means,” according to the criminal complaint cited by the Union Leader.
Chong Yen declined to provide specific details about the investigative steps that led to the arrest.
“Unfortunately, we can’t go into much detail about what that involved in terms of the identification,” he said. “What we can say is that Manchester was tireless in terms of tracking every lead and following up on information provided by the public and making sure they took the investigative steps to be able to make the correct identification.”
The Attorney General’s Office confirmed that all parties in the case, including the baby’s father, have now been identified, though their names are not being released. News 9 reported that the father was part of the investigation.
“One of the things that we can say is that the baby was a newborn,” Chong Yen said. “In terms of how old, in terms of weeks, if that were the case, you know, we can’t really go into that amount of detail.”
At the time the baby’s body was found, Chief Marr described the death as “extremely tragic,” according to CBS News. Police publicly appealed for help, asking whether anyone had seen someone discarding anything in the water in the prior 14 days or knew of a pregnant woman who had recently given birth and required medical attention. Authorities also offered a $5,000 reward for information, WMUR reported.
“My message for the mother would be to come forward and tell us what happened,” Marr said at the time, according to the Union Leader.
In May 2025, a public funeral was held at Connor-Healy Funeral Home, where community members gathered to honor the infant. Police had given her the name “Grace” to reflect what CBS News described as an effort “to celebrate the kindness extended to her by those who refuse to let her life go unrecognized.” Chief Marr said at the time, “The way she was discarded is heartbreaking, and it is important that we give her a proper farewell.”
Juma waived arraignment Friday morning in Manchester District Court and did not appear in person or by video, according to the Union Leader. She remains detained, and a probable cause hearing has been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. next Thursday. Many defendants, on the advice of counsel, waive a probable cause hearing, which would send the case directly to Superior Court.
Juma is being represented by public defender Maya Dominguez.
The Department of Justice said the exact circumstances surrounding the infant’s death remain under active investigation. The charges and allegations against Juma are merely accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Investigators have asked anyone who recognizes Juma’s name or photo and has relevant information to contact authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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