Meriden PD ID's Mother Of Baby Found Dead 32 Years Ago

MERIDEN, CT — Meriden Police announced Tuesday that they identified the mother of a baby who was left to freeze to death 32 years ago in the city. David Paul, who was named by police, was abandoned in an empty parking lot on Evansville Avenue Jan. 2, 1988.

Chief Jeffry Cosette said the baby's mother is Karen Kuzmak Roche who was 25-years-old when she abandoned the baby, according to the Hartford Courant. Police believe she abandoned the baby on Dec. 28 and the baby was found Jan. 2. The medical examiner determined he was born alive and had died from cold exposure.

Roach told police she had been waiting 32 years for them to show up to her door.

Police solved the mystery with the help of Identifinders International and DNA testing, according to the Record-Journal. A DNA test taken by Roche confirmed she was the baby's mother.

The statute of limitations has expired on a manslaughter charge and it would be difficult to prove intent for murder, Cosette said. The father was identified, but police believe he didn't know he was a father.

David Paul was named with the help of local clergy. Police honor his memory each year along with local clergy and community members.