11 years ago police began investigating why a newborn baby girl was found dead inside a burn barrel.
On December 29th, 2003, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Jerry Sauers became the primary investigator on an unsolved mystery.
He says, “Every day this case sits on my desk and every day I look at it and there’s something I try to do with it.”
Trooper Sauers says, “A baby was discovered in a burn barrel at 522 Weaver Road, Strasburg Township.”
How the baby got there remains unknown. But police believe a new form of DNA testing will help crack the case.
Trooper Sauers says, "We have resubmitted evidence to our lab for DNA analysis that wasn't available 11 years ago."
It's called Touch/Ownership DNA. Police plan to reevaluate evidence collected over the years. Including DNA from a Turkey Hill Market on N. Decatur Street. Police say it's where an employee recalled finding something in the store's restroom shortly after the incident.
Trooper Sauers says, "If you touch this not only can I get your fingerprint off of that I can now get your DNA sample from it."
When Lester Cramer heard about the story 11 years ago, he named the baby "Allison."
Cramer says, "I hope either the people involved or somebody that knows, comes forth because it's the only way to give the child justice and peace."
Cramer was also granted permission to bury baby Allison in the Conestoga Memorial Park.
Cramer says, "The mere fact she was a child that somebody didn't want and disposed of her in such a horrific manner, the least somebody could do was give her a decent burial."
State Police are working with several other agencies in Lancaster County. Police want the mother, or someone who knew her to come forward and talk to them. Police believe the mother is now between 24 and 30 years old. Police wouldn't discuss what charges, if any, the mother could face.
