New findings may lead to break in frozen baby case

Newton - New findings in the homicide investigation into the death of “Baby Jacob Gerard,” have been announced by the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office Cold Case Unit, working in conjunction with the Vernon Police Dept. The newborn infant was found frozen to death on Sunday morning, Feb. 7, 1994, outside the Holy Counselor Lutheran Church in Vernon. Biological evidence submitted to the N.J. State Police Laboratory, utilizing newer, more technologically advanced scientific methods than were available in 1994, has provided “positive and conclusive DNA findings that are significantly advancing the investigation,” said Sussex County Prosecutor David J. Weaver. “New technology broadens the horizon of investigation by law enforcement,” added Weaver. “The high level of interaction between Vernon police, our office, and the N.J. State Police is closing the gap in our cold case program.” The prosecutor urged anyone with information regarding the case to call his office’s hotline at 973-383-8830 or 973-383-1570; or the county sheriff’s “Crime Stopper’s Hotline” at 888-973-2746; or the Vernon Police Dept. at 973-764-6155. The Crime Stopper’s Hotline offers a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest.