Manchester Mom Arrested On Murder Charge In Pine Island Pond, 'Baby Grace' Case

MANCHESTER, NH — A Manchester woman has been accused of second-degree murder in connection with a deceased infant found near a local pond last year.

Hepay Juma, 26, of was arrested for reckless second-degree murder, accused of causing the death of Baby Jane “Grace” Doe, her child, under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.

Police, fire, and AMR ambulance were called to Pine Island Pond on Brown Avenue in Manchester last March. A caller reported a body near the pond, which is located next to a playground.

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An item was found next to the water, which was quickly determined to be a deceased newborn girl. Police held a press conference, pleading with the public for leads in the investigation.

Sources have said that a DNA test led to a connection with a relative of Juma, and investigators used other evidence to lead to the charge of reckless second-degree murder.

Police say that the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain under active investigation.