Woman Admits To Killing Newborn Baby In 1986: Greenwich Police

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich Police Department on Friday morning announced that an arrest was made in connection with the 1986 homicide of a newborn baby, nicknamed "Baby John" by investigators over the years.

Janita M. Phillips, 62, of Lake Mary, Fla. was arrested and charged with murder Friday morning, the department said during a press conference Friday. She surrendered at GPD headquarters around 6 a.m., and was taken to court in Stamford to be arraigned.

Phillips was initially being held on a $50,000 court-set bond. The Greenwich Time reported that Phillips was released on a promise to appear, and must check-in with the Bail Commissioner's Office once per week.

Police said in September when authorities first went down to Florida to interview Phillips, she admitted to being the baby's mother and causing the death of the infant.

"Today, we begin to get closure on a death investigation of an infant child from many years ago that happened just across the street from here," said GPD Chief James Heavey. "While today's arrest will not bring him back to us, it does bring recognition that his precious life had meaning and that he is not forgotten."

On May 16, 1986, a newborn baby boy was found dead inside a garbage truck that had just emptied a dumpster at the apartment building located at 27 Havemeyer Place in Greenwich, where Phillips lived, said GPD Deputy Chief Robert Berry.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was strangulation, and ruled the case a homicide.

Phillips hid the pregnancy from her family and friends, police said. She and her husband moved to Florida shortly after the baby's death.

Berry said police collected several pieces of evidence at the scene in 1986, including items soaked with blood. Interviews were conducted with residents at the apartment building, including Phillips, who was a "person of interest," according to Berry.

News 12 Connecticut said police asked Phillips for a blood test in 1986, and she agreed before ultimately cancelling the appointment.

As the investigation wore on, detectives were unable to positively identify the killer.

However, forensic capabilities have improved since 1986, which allowed investigators to keep working on the case.

Det. First Grade Christy Girard from the department's Cold Case Unit was assigned to the case about five years ago.

"Emerging forensic testing allowed for a new examination of the physical evidence previously collected. As a result of this new examination, a possible suspect was identified and she was identified as currently living in Florida after having moved there from 27 Havemeyer Place," Berry said.

Girard worked with authorities in Seminole County in Florida. DNA evidence was acquired by going through Phillips' trash and recycling outside her home in 2020, according to News 12 CT.

Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained. Girard traveled to Florida in September of this year and interviewed Phillips, who admitted she was the baby's mother and caused the death, Berry said. DNA testing confirmed her identity.

"She indicated she had several stressors going on in her life, and that she was not prepared to have more children," Berry said. Phillips had one child at the time, and has since had another.

"She was definitely remorseful. She indicated to Det. Girard that this had troubled her throughout her entire life," said Berry, adding that Phillips has no previous criminal record.

An arrest warrant was obtained earlier this week.

Excellent detective work by Detective 1st Grade Christy Girard for identifying and arresting the suspect of homicide from 1986.https://t.co/9S6KBwco8h pic.twitter.com/s9v9Cg0tl3
— Greenwich PD PIO (@GreenwichCTPD) November 19, 2021

"Many detectives from Greenwich PD have worked on this case over the years to the extent of the resources available to them at the time," Berry said. "I'd like to especially recognize Det. Christy Girard for bringing this case to a close through her dedication, investigative skill and ingenuity."

Berry said it's now time to determine what the next steps of the prosecution are. The Greenwich Time reported that Phillips' attorney, Lindy Urso, is "hopeful" a deal can be reached to avoid trial. Phillips is due in court on Jan. 26, the Time said.