GRETNA, La. (AP) – The parents of a baby killed in 1992 are in custody after newly developed DNA evidence led investigators to them, state police officers said.
A farmer in Picayune, Mississippi who wanted to feed his animals found the infant’s body in a garbage can on April 17, 1992, in a bag wrapped in a towel with other garbage. An autopsy revealed the baby was most likely born the morning it was found. It was also revealed that the baby was about three weeks premature and lived a few minutes before being smothered.
The cause of death was determined to be perinatal asphyxia due to asphyxiation and the case was ruled a homicide.
Picayune police resumed the case in August 2021. Using advanced DNA technology, officers were able to develop their first suspects and create profiles and fingerprints from evidence obtained.
Inga Johansen Carriere, 50, of Avondale, and Andrew K. Carriere II, 50, of River Ridge, are charged with first-degree murder. They are being held at Jefferson Parish Correctional Facility without obligation, awaiting extradition to Mississippi. It was not known if any of them had a lawyer who could speak for them.
The investigation between the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Louisiana State Police and the Picayune Police concluded that the crime took place in Louisiana and the body was dumped in Mississippi. The unidentified child was buried at Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church with a community-donated headstone that reads “Heavens Angel.”
“This breakthrough in the case is a testament to advances in forensic technology and law enforcement’s commitment to doing justice to victims and their families,” state police said in a press release.
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