Reported by: Richard ChilesContributed by: Bill Price and Dave Marlo Web produced by: Ian Preuth By the end of the day Friday, prosecutors and police hope to be one step closer to knowing the identity an infant murdered almost 30 years ago.
The procedure began about 9:30 Friday morning with Springfield Township officers and forensic investigators sifting through the soft earth of the child's grave.
The baby, known only as "Baby Angel" was laid to rest after being discovered beaten beyond recognition and burned in a Springfield Township field in 1979.
Investigators from the coroners office and Springfield Township police hope DNA evidence will help determine the child's identity and reveal the killer who took her life or spark new leads that may solve the case.
Hamilton County Coroner Dr. O'dell Owens said, "The key is going to be coming up with an accurate age for the child because that may stem someone's memory... and then maybe someone may say I remember someone was missing in our neighborhood."
Retired Springfield Township Police Officer Ted Hessler said, "You'd have thought a grand parent or someone would have reported the child was missing but we never heard a word from them."
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