IOWA CITY – This woman is charged with first-degree murder after her baby was found dead in an Iowa landfill 32 years ago, but despite DNA proof, she claims innocence.
On December 21, 1992, the body of an unidentified infant – Baby John Doe – was discovered at the Iowa City Landfill. The Iowa City Police Department, with assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, launched an extensive investigation into the child’s death. However, due to the lack of known circumstances surrounding the birth and death of the baby and limitations in DNA technology, the case did not progress.
Thanks to advances in DNA testing, the case was reopened in October 2020 and evidence was resubmitted for testing. As a result, investigators determined the mother of the child was 58-year-old Cindy Sue Elder, formerly known as Cindy Sue Eckrich. Elder was 26 years old at the time of the incident.
In February 2022, Elder (pictured at top) was discovered to be living in Clever, Mo. Investigators spoke with Elder, who admitted to giving birth while living in an Iowa City residence. Elder told police the baby was born alive and she did not know how the baby died. She placed the newborn in a plastic sack and deposited it in a trash receptacle in Coralville, Iowa, near the residence of the father. The father of the child told police he was unaware Elder was ever pregnant or that she had given birth to a child.
The investigation into the death of Baby John Doe determined Elder’s actions led to the child’s death. As a result, Elder faces one count of First-Degree Murder.
“This case exemplifies our commitment to crime victims, especially ones so vulnerable,” said Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston. “I am grateful for the dedication, partnerships, and technological advances that have made this arrest possible.”
The Iowa City Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Johnson County Attorney’s Office, Johnson County Medical Examiner’s Office, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Coralville Police Department. The case will be prosecuted by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and Johnson County Attorney’s Office. No further information is available at this time.
According to a police report:
On or about the above stated date and time, the Defendant did willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation kill another person. On December 21, 1992, the body of an unidentified white male baby (BABY JOHN DOE) (BJD) was found at the City of Iowa City, Iowa landfill. An autopsy was performed at the University of Iowa Hospitals &Clinics (UIHC). It was determined BJD was a full-term, well developed white male who did not appear to have any identified congenital anomalies. Extensive blunt force injuries were observed that appeared to be postmortem. The placenta was still attached to BJD and was wrapped around his neck. The cause and manner of death were ruled undetermined as the “lack of known circumstances surrounding the labor and delivery of this infant make it impossible at this time.” Investigation revealed BJD’S body had been picked up from trash receptacles at or near an apartment building located at 712 5th Street, Coralville, Iowa. Investigation revealed a maintenance person, who was paid to pick up trash from 712 5th Street, Coralville, Iowa, unknowingly transported the garbage containing the remains of BJD to the landfill. The mother and father of BJD were not identified during the initial investigation. The BJD investigation was reopened in 2020 based on advances in DNA technology. A DNA profile for BJD was developed at this time. CINDY SUE ECKRICH
a.k.a. CINDY ELDER, was identified as the mother of BJD.
Court records show Elder remains in an Iowa jail, awaiting jury trial set for August of 2026.
Iowa’s Safe Haven Act, enacted in 2002, allows parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 90 days without fear of prosecution. Learn more here.