Police Reveal Identity Of Toddler Whose Charred Remains Were Found 47 Years Ago

[Sugar Cookie]

Authorities in Ohio have disclosed the identity of a 20-month-old whose charred remains were found buried in a field nearly five decades ago.

The toddler, who for decades has been known as "Baby Angel," was identified as Velina Jeter, Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Kode Sammarco announced at a press briefing on Friday, May 29.

The investigation began on Feb. 4, 1979, when the child's corpse was discovered in a field on Eiler Lane in Springfield Township, Ohio, Sammarco said at the briefing, which was streamed online by Local 12.

Velina was born on June 10, 1977 in Columbus, Sammarco said, adding that questions linger about how she ended up about 100 miles away.

"The body was not recognizable and there was post-mortem charring," Sammarco said of the discovered remains.

She added that there was scant information at the time, making identification difficult. Forensic data from early stages of the investigation indicated the corpse belonged to an African American 1-year-old girl, but nothing more at the time.

Investigators were later able to determine the cause of death to be trauma to the head, Sammarco said, noting that Velina had blood inside her skull. It was ruled a homicide.

Her remains were exhumed in 2008 to obtain DNA information, which is what eventually led to her identification, according to Sammarco.

The coroner's office also released the names of Velina's parents, who are both deceased; her mother, Sharon Jeter, died in December 2013 and father Barry Lee Valentine died in February 2011.

https://people.com/police-reveal-identity-of-toddler-charred-remains-found-47-years-ago-11986796

It’s not clear who had custody of Velina at the time of her death. Neither of her parents is suspected of being involved in the death. Authorities do not believe she was ever reported missing. Investigators do not know how Velina ended up near Cincinnati.

Sammarco said authorities found living family members in Columbus and they were also reportedly unsure why Velina ended up where she did. Velina does have a sibling, but he may have been living in a different home.

Toddler found dead in field near Cincinnati 47 years ago identified as girl from Columbus

DNA evidence identified the toddler as Velina Jeter. It's unclear how she ended up near Cincinnati or who killed her.

www.10tv.com

Velina is not mentioned in Valentine's obituary. I guess Sharon was no longer a "special friend"

Barry Lee Valentine, 64, passed away February 17, 2011. An avid photographer and lover of music, he sang with The Sensational Disciples and The Gospel Recruiters. Preceded in death by daughter Daliska Valentine, parents Mildred N. and Clark J. Valentine, Sr.; grandparents Willie and Sarah Middleton, and brother Anthony S. Valentine. Survived by daughters Schnequa Strider and Angelica Hairston; brothers, Clark J. Valentine, Jr., Keno J. Valentine, and William Valentine; sisters Darlene A. Devonshire and Crystal (Rigerberto) Gould; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including special friends Virginia Crawley and Patricia Strider.

Barry Lee 'Uncle B.' Valentine Obituary February 17, 2011 - Diehl-Whittaker Funeral | Cremation Services

View Barry Lee 'Uncle B.' Valentine's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.diehl-whittaker.com

 

[Kleng]

Dad did it and lied to Mom.