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Police make arrest in 'Baby Daniel' cold case in Chesapeake

In January 2003, police found a newborn baby dead in Western Branch Park. Seventeen years later, they arrested a woman and charged her with murder and child abuse.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Police have made a cold case arrest nearly 17 years after an infant was found dead in Western Branch Park.

Chesapeake Police released a video on Twitter explaining the nature of the crime.

On January 17, 2003, a newborn was found abandoned and dead at the park by an 11-year-old boy.

He was found with an oversized diaper and wrapped in a blanket. Investigators and the community named the baby "Daniel."

An umbilical cord was still attached to the baby leading investigators to believe he had just been born at the time.

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On Tuesday, Melissa Chrisman was arrested and charged with felony murder and felony child abuse and neglect. Police said forensic evidence linked her to the crime.

She told a judge during her first court appearance Wednesday that her mother was looking for an attorney to represent her. A court-appointed attorney was assigned to her until another one is hired.

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