5-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in 1988 Finally Identified as Kenyatta Odom; Mother and Boyfriend Taken into Custody

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Five-year-old Kenyatta Odom, whose body was found in 1988, has finally been identified, according to an announcement made on Monday. The breakthrough came after decades of investigation into the child’s death, which was initially ruled a homicide but the cause of death remained unknown. In a shocking turn of events, Kenyatta’s 56-year-old mother, Evelyn Odom, and her then live-in boyfriend, Ulyster Sanders, 61, have been taken into custody in connection with the case.

The events leading up to this discovery can be traced back to December 21, 1988, just days before Christmas, when authorities discovered the body of a female child in an illegal dump site near Millwood, Georgia. The child’s identity could not be confirmed at the time, and she became known as “Baby Jane Doe.” It wasn’t until earlier this year that the victim was finally identified as Kenyatta Odom.

According to CBSNews, Evelyn Odom and Ulyster Sanders were dating at the time Kenyatta was found dead, but their current relationship has not been confirmed. The motive behind the alleged murder has not yet been revealed.

Authorities provided details about the condition in which Kenyatta’s remains were found. She had been stuffed in a duffel bag, wrapped in a blanket, and placed inside a TV cabinet, which was then covered in concrete. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jason Seacrist addressed the matter in a press conference, stating, “Baby Jane Doe is no longer unnamed, is no longer unknown, the baby that was thrown out into a trash pile has been identified and we’re working to bring justice to her.”

The breakthrough in identifying Kenyatta came with the help of DNA technology. For years, law enforcement had no leads on the child’s identity, as she did not match any missing children mentioned in local newspapers at the time. However, in 2019, authorities looked into the genome sequencing of the victim and discovered a possible family tree in Albany, Georgia.

Speaking about the use of DNA technology in the investigation, Jason Seacrist stated, “The forensic technology has changed. It has changed the investigative landscape. In 1988, I don’t even know that DNA was on anybody’s mind.” The identification of Kenyatta as “Baby Jane Doe” was made possible after a tipster came forward following news reports on the anniversary of the girl’s death in 2022. The tipster had knowledge of a missing child who was believed to have gone to live with her father, but the tipster never believed that story.

The identity of Kenyatta’s father is now a priority for law enforcement. The investigation into her death and the alleged involvement of her mother and then-boyfriend continues. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of advancements in forensic technology and the tireless efforts of law enforcement in seeking justice for victims of unsolved crimes.

Note: The article contains references to a minor’s death, and reader discretion is advised..