A MOM who allegedly wrapped her hours-old son in a bag and left him to die in woods has been arrested more than a decade on.
Jennifer Sahr, now 32, was named hours earlier in a police appeal following a DNA breakthrough in the Baby Boy Horry cold case.
The infant was named after Horry County in South Carolina where he was found three weeks before Christmas in 2008.
He was still alive when he was abandoned soon after birth in woods near Conway, wrapped in a blanket inside a canvas tote bag.
Detectives said he would have survived if given medical attention earlier.
Yesterday police announced scientific evidence had identified his mother as Sahr, who at the time was a Coastal Carolina University student known by her maiden name Jennifer Rickel.
They said she was wanted for homicide by child abuse and issued a warrant for her arrest, reports The Myrtle Beach Sun News.
Chief Joe Hill said: “We are hoping that she sees this and turns herself into the Horry County Police Department or any law enforcement agency that’s nearby.
“We will find her, we won’t stop looking for her and we will bring her to justice.”
The suspect, who now lives in Pensacola, Florida, was arrested by the Carolina Regional Fugitive US Marshals Task Force.
Her attorney said she had willingly travelled with her husband and two young children to North Myrtle Beach.
She was due to hand herself in this morning but officers took her into custody last night.
"She found out about the allegation yesterday and she has done what every responsible citizen would do," the attorney said last night.
"She had our firm reach out to police and say that she would travel here and for whatever reason the police decided to expend time and resources and go ahead and arrest her tonight.
"She was prepared to come in for a lawful and peaceful surrender."
Police said they also know who the child's father is but have not yet released details.
The Baby Boy Horry case has been famous in the area for more than a decade.
Locals have held a memorial each year since the tragedy in honor of the unidentified child.
Horry County Coroner Robert Edge also doggedly tried to keep the case in the public eye.
“It’s a great relief to find out who the mother is,” he told The Myrtle Beach Sun News yesterday.
“It’s just sad that child wasn’t taken somewhere he could receive medical attention and be with us today.”
Lt Jamie DeBari, who was a homicide detective in 2008, said the baby could have lived if it was properly cared for.
He said: “Some cases seem to have a significant impact not only on communities, but on the law enforcement officers out there.”
Police chief Hill was not on the force when utility crews found the baby, but said he has heard countless stories from officers.
He said: “I can tell you it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions.
“From excitement to shear reflection on the events that took place.
“I’m just glad we are able to bring justice to him and to the community.”
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