Death of the Innocents
Digest
This episode delves into the disturbing case of Susan Connell, a woman who abandoned her two infants, resulting in their deaths. The story begins with the discovery of the infants' remains by Rebecca Mems, who purchased a trailer and found the mummified remains of one infant and the skeletal remains of another. Police investigations revealed that the trailer was previously owned by Otis Baker, who claimed his granddaughter, Susan Connell, used it as a playhouse. However, Connell denied any knowledge of the infants. Rumors about Connell's pregnancies surfaced, and DNA tests confirmed she was the mother of the infants. However, the investigation stalled due to the inability to determine if the infants were born alive. The case went cold until cold case detectives reopened it. Connell eventually confessed to giving birth to both babies at home alone and unassisted. She claimed she was scared and didn't know what to do. The case was reopened by a new sheriff who believed approaching Connell in the right way would help her release guilt. FBI profilers suggested using a middle-aged man and a younger female detective to connect with Connell. The detectives successfully got her talking, and she admitted to giving birth to the infants. Connell described the births of her children, including the first birth in her parents' bathroom and the second birth in an apartment complex. She cited an abusive home life as her reason for abandoning the babies. A police report confirmed Connell's claim that her father threatened her with a gun when she told him she was pregnant. Connell was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. She served five years and was released in 2006. Connell reflects on her actions and expresses regret, claiming she was scared and didn't see any other options.
Outlines
The Discovery and the Investigation
This episode begins with the discovery of the mummified and skeletal remains of two infants in a trailer. Police investigations reveal that the trailer was previously owned by Otis Baker, who claimed his granddaughter, Susan Connell, used it as a playhouse. However, Connell denies any knowledge of the infants. DNA tests confirm she is the mother of the infants, but it's unclear if they were born alive. The case goes cold until cold case detectives reopen it.
Susan Connell's Confession and the Reopened Case
Susan Connell admits to giving birth to both babies at home alone and unassisted. She claims she was scared and didn't know what to do. A new sheriff in Chilton County reopens the case and assigns two detectives to investigate. They believe approaching Connell in the right way will help her release guilt. FBI profilers suggest using a middle-aged man and a younger female detective to connect with Connell. The detectives get her talking and she eventually admits to giving birth to the infants.
The Details of the Births and the Sentence
Susan Connell describes the births of her children, including the first birth in her parents' bathroom and the second birth in an apartment complex. She cites an abusive home life as her reason for abandoning the babies. A police report confirms Connell's claim that her father threatened her with a gun when she told him she was pregnant. Susan Connell is arrested and charged with two counts of murder. She pleads guilty and is sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Susan Connell's Reflections and Future
Susan Connell reflects on her actions and expresses regret. She claims she was scared and didn't see any other options. Susan Connell was stripped of custody of her children but fights to regain it. She served five years in prison and was released in 2006.
Keywords
Mummified Remains
The preserved body of a deceased organism, often dried out and shrunken, typically found in arid environments.
Skeletal Remains
The bones of a deceased organism, often found in archaeological sites or crime scenes.
DNA Testing
A scientific technique used to identify individuals or determine biological relationships by analyzing their genetic material.
Cold Case
An unsolved criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time.
Child Abandonment
The act of leaving a child without proper care or supervision, often in a dangerous or neglectful situation.
Domestic Violence
Violent or abusive behavior within a household, often involving physical, emotional, or psychological abuse.
Q&A
What led to the discovery of the infants' remains?
Rebecca Mems, while cleaning a trailer she purchased, found the mummified remains of an infant. Later, she found the skeletal remains of a second baby.
How did investigators identify Susan Connell as the mother of the infants?
DNA tests confirmed that Susan Connell was the mother of the infants, but it was unclear if they were born alive.
Why did the case go cold initially?
The investigation stalled due to the inability to determine if the infants were born alive. Without a life, there can be no death, and therefore no murder charge.
What prompted the reopening of the case?
A new sheriff in Chilton County reopened the case and assigned two detectives to investigate. They believed approaching Connell in the right way would help her release guilt.
What was Susan Connell's motive for abandoning her infants?
Susan Connell cited an abusive home life as her reason for abandoning the babies. She claimed she was scared and didn't know what to do.
What was the outcome of the case?
Susan Connell was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Show Notes
When a woman and her son find the mummified remains of two infants while cleaning out their new trailer, investigators are tasked first with finding the identity of the mother. After Susan Connell admits to leaving both infants the even more difficult question is… were they alive?
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