A woman from Manchester, New Hampshire was arraigned on the morning of Feb. 27, 2026, in connection with the death of her newborn daughter. The infant’s body had been found floating in Pine Island Pond nearly a year earlier, a discovery that deeply affected the community and led to an extensive 11‑month investigation.
Hepay Juma, 26, is facing charges of reckless second-degree murder for allegedly causing the death of Baby Jane “Grace” Doe under circumstances showing extreme disregard for human life, according to New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella. Juma waived her arraignment in Manchester District Court and did not appear either in person or via video.
The newborn’s body was discovered around 4 p.m. on March 27, 2025, by a passerby near Pine Island Park, a quiet spot near Manchester-Boston Regional Airport with walking paths and a playground. Police were alerted to an object floating in the water, which turned out to be a newborn girl. Investigators concluded the infant had been in the pond for no more than two days, placing the timeframe between March 25 and March 27, 2025. The death was immediately ruled suspicious following an autopsy, which determined she was the victim of a homicide, though the exact cause was undetermined.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Chong Yen praised Manchester police for their extensive work on the case, noting that investigators were “tireless in terms of tracking every lead and following up on information provided by the public.”
The case drew widespread attention as authorities struggled for weeks to determine the baby’s identity. Manchester Police Chief Peter Marr made a public appeal soon after the discovery, urging anyone who may have seen unusual activity near the pond to contact police. Investigators sought information from anyone who might have seen someone discarding something into the water during the three-day period in late March. By April 2, police had received about 50 tips but still could not identify the infant or her parents.
Authorities initially offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest, which they increased to $5,000 on April 15. In the days after the discovery, Manchester police brought in the New Hampshire State Police K-9 Unit and conducted multiple thorough searches of the park, examining the shoreline and surrounding areas for additional clues.
With no immediate identification, Manchester police named the infant Grace to honor the compassion shown by community members who refused to let her life be forgotten. A detective in the Juvenile Division created a tribute portrait—an artist’s rendering meant to humanize the child. A public funeral was held on May 12, 2025, at Connor-Healy Funeral Home on Union Street, where residents, officials, and strangers gathered to honor a baby they had never known.
Inside the funeral home, Baby Grace lay in a small white casket surrounded by pink and white flowers, with a Manchester police officer in full dress uniform standing watch. Mourners walked through to offer prayers for the infant whose short and tragic life had touched many. “The way she was discarded is heartbreaking,” Chief Marr said, “and it is important that we give her a proper farewell.” She was buried at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Bedford.
Prosecutors have not disclosed specific details about how investigators identified Juma or the precise age of the infant, referring to her only as a newborn. The police affidavit remains sealed. Authorities have identified the baby’s father but are withholding his name and any identifying information. The circumstances surrounding the case continue to be under active investigation.
Juma, whose most recent address was listed on Ahern Street in Manchester, is still in custody. She is being represented by public defender Maya Dominguez. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on March 5, 2026.
The case has once again highlighted New Hampshire’s Safe Haven Law, which was expanded in September 2024. Under the updated legislation, a parent may anonymously surrender a newborn up to 61 days old—an increase from the previous seven-day limit. Babies can be safely surrendered at any hospital, police station, or fire station at any time, or at a church during scheduled hours, with no personal information required from the parent. The law also offers new protections ensuring that evidence obtained solely through the surrender cannot be used to prosecute the parent.
The arrest follows months of detailed work by Manchester police and the Attorney General’s Office. Authorities urge anyone familiar with Juma or who has information related to the case to contact the Manchester Police Department Tip Line at 603-716-7236. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040.
