Arrest Made in 35-Year-Old Cold Case of Baby Jane Doe in Georgia; Mother and Stepfather Indicted for Murder

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has made a major breakthrough in one of the state’s oldest cold cases, announcing an arrest in the murder of a three-year-old girl that occurred in 1988. The child, known as Baby Jane Doe until now, was found deceased and wrapped in a baby blanket, inside a gym bag which was then concealed in a cement-filled suitcase. The suitcase was hidden in a TV console cabinet in Ware County.

After nearly 35 years, the GBI was able to identify the child as Kenyatta Odom. In a press conference held on Monday, agents expressed their satisfaction in finally being able to not only identify Baby Jane Doe but also make an arrest in connection with her death. The child’s mother, Evelyn Odom, and her stepfather, Ulyster Sanders, have been indicted on charges of felony murder and concealing a death.

According to the indictment, it is alleged that Odom and Sanders subjected the child to extremely hot water, resulting in serious disfigurement of her legs and feet, ultimately leading to her death. The couple then conspired to cover up the crime by encasing her body in concrete and placing it in the TV console, which they later dumped in the woods, approximately two hours away from their home in Albany.

The GBI’s success in solving this cold case can be attributed in part to the assistance of the Othram DNA lab in Texas. Othram has played a crucial role in helping to solve numerous cold cases in recent years, including several in Georgia. By utilizing DNA analysis, Othram has been able to provide critical information that has led to the identification of victims and suspects alike.

One of the cases Othram helped solve involved the identification of a woman found unconscious on the side of a highway in Albany in 1985. After her remains were exhumed in 2012 and a bone fragment was taken, Othram used DNA to identify her as Mary Anga Cowan from Florida in March of 2022.

In another case, human remains were discovered in Stone Mountain in 1982, and investigators believed they had been there for up to 10 years. In 2021, the remains were sent to Othram, which was able to match them to the victim’s daughter. The victim was identified as Marlene Standridge.

Othram’s assistance was also crucial in identifying the remains of a woman found in Heflin, Alabama, in February of 1990. Investigators determined her cause of death to be homicide. In 2023, Othram identified her as Clara Reynolds from Georgia. While a suspect has been identified in her death, the investigation remains ongoing.

Additionally, Othram helped identify the remains of a woman found in a trash dumpster in Jenkins County in 1988. The victim, 26-year-old Chong Un Kim from Liberty County, was wrapped in plastic and duct tape inside a large suitcase. Othram’s involvement in the case led to her identification in 2023.

The Othram lab has also played a significant role in solving other cold cases in Georgia, including the identification of a newborn baby found stabbed in a trashcan in a women’s restroom at a UGA dormitory in 1996. Through DNA testing, Othram was able to identify the mother as Kathryn Ann Grant, who took her own life in 2004.

In another case, Othram helped identify the remains of a victim found inside a burned home in Atlanta in January of 2022. The victim was identified as 59-year-old Zachary Wells, and investigators were able to determine that the fire was not the cause of death.

The success of Othram in solving these cold cases highlights the importance of DNA analysis in criminal investigations. By utilizing advanced technology and techniques, Othram has been able to provide crucial information that has led to the identification of victims and suspects, bringing justice to the families affected by these crimes.

The GBI’s collaboration with Othram and their dedication to solving cold cases demonstrates their commitment to pursuing justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed. As technology continues to advance, it is hoped that more cold cases will be solved, providing closure and peace to those affected by these long-standing mysteries..