DNA from soda bottle allegedly links Massachusetts woman to 1985 murder of 'Baby Boy Doe'
DNA from soda bottle allegedly links Massachusetts woman to 1985 murder of 'Baby Boy Doe'
Dianne Curry Peck pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday
By
Louis Casiano Fox News
Published
July 1, 2026 7:40pm EDT close 
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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!DNA from a soda bottle allegedly has linked a Massachusetts woman to the 1985 death of her newborn son, who was found dead in the woods by a father and son hunting rabbits, authorities said this week.
Dianne Curry Peck, 59, appeared in court on Tuesday, where she pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in connection with the death of her son, who became known as "Baby Boy Doe" of Mansfield, Massachusetts.
"Few cases are more heartbreaking than one involving a newborn baby, allegedly abandoned and left to die in the woods by his mother, deprived of the care, love and protection every child deserves," FBI Boston Special Agent-in-Charge Ted Docks said outside the courthouse. "For 41 years, this child was known simply as Baby Boy Doe. He entered this world with limitless promise, but was denied the most basic right to live."
COLD CASE CRACKED AS ILLINOIS SUSPECT CHARGED IN BRUTAL 1993 KILLING OF MOTHER FOUND SLAIN IN FIELD
FBI Boston Special Agent-in-Charge Ted Docks talks to reporters outside a courthouse Tuesday about the case against Dianne Curry Peck. (FBI Boston)
The newborn's body was discovered on Jan. 26, 1985, by a father and son who noticed a set of footprints in the snow. The pair initially thought the child was a doll before realizing it was a naked infant lying on the ground, WCVB reported.
An autopsy determined the child was born alive before dying a short time later.
"It was naked, lying on its back; the umbilical cord was still attached to the baby," Kenneth Martin, who at the time was working as a Massachusetts State Police trooper assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, told the outlet.
The Mansfield Police Department, along with former New England Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan, paid for the baby's funeral, Boston 25 News reported.
The case went cold until Bristol County investigators reopened it in 2022, partnering with the FBI and state authorities.
DNA FROM CHEWING GUM NAILS LONGTIME SEXUAL PREDATOR DECADES AFTER REIGN OF TERROR: REPORT
The grave of the "Baby Boy Doe" of Mansfield, Mass., the infant son of Dianne Curry Peck, 59, who gave birth to the child in 1985, before allegedly abandoning him, authorities said. (FBI Boston)
Using forensic genetic genealogy, investigators analyzed the baby’s DNA, which eventually led them to Peck.
DNA recovered from a soda bottle taken from her trash ultimately linked her to the child, authorities said.
At the time of the birth, Peck was a 17-year-old student at Mansfield High School. She allegedly admitted to investigators that she had given birth to a child in the back seat of her ex-boyfriend’s car, Boston 25 reported.
She claimed she gave the baby to him because he said he knew someone who would adopt the infant. Peck told investigators she believed she had given birth to a girl and never spoke to her ex-boyfriend again. He died in 2020, according to the FBI.
COLD CASE CRACKED AS ILLINOIS SUSPECT CHARGED IN BRUTAL 1993 KILLING OF MOTHER FOUND SLAIN IN FIELD
Dianne Curry Peck, 59, appeared in Bristol County Superior Court on Tuesday in Fall River, Mass. (Google Maps)
Prosecutors also noted there is no evidence that anyone — including Peck’s ex-boyfriend — knew she was pregnant, according to the news outlet.
Peck allegedly told police she gave birth on Jan. 20, 1985, but prosecutors argued in court that the timeline is inconsistent with the condition of the baby’s body and the freezing temperatures at the time.
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According to a medical examiner, the infant had likely been in the woods for only about 12 hours before being discovered.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and Peck's attorney.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].
Spain vs. Austria odds, prediction, time: 2026 World Cup Round of 32 picks from expert on 12-5 roll
Spain looks to continue their march towards their second World Cup championship since 2010 when they battle Austria in a 2026 World Cup Round of 32 matchup on Thursday. Spain, who are third in the FIFA rankings, won Group H by outscoring opponents 5-0. Austria, meanwhile, finished second in Group J. They defeated Jordan 3-1, lost to Argentina 2-0 and played to a 3-3 draw with Algeria. Austria is looking for its best World Cup finish since taking third in 1954.
Kickoff for Spain vs. Austria is 3 p.m. ET from Inglewood, Calif. The latest Spain vs. Austria odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Spain at -300 (risk $300 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with Austria at +900 and a draw at +425. The over/under for total goals is 2.5. Spain are -950 to advance, with Austria at +610. Before locking in any Spain vs. Austria picks or World Cup 2026 predictions, check out the Spain vs. Austria predictions from SportsLine's Jon Eimer.
Eimer is a high-volume bettor who has vast knowledge of leagues and players across the globe. Since joining SportsLine, he has covered the English Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, the FA Cup, and much more. He's been red-hot on his soccer betting picks in 2026, posting a 31-13-2 record and returning over $1,200 of profit on his Champions League picks. He's also off to a fast start in the World Cup and is on an 25-15-2 run (63%) on WC picks. Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.
Now, Eimer has studied Spain vs. Austria and just revealed his 2026 World Cup picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several World Cup odds and soccer betting lines for Austria vs. Spain:
Spain vs. Austria 90-minute money line | Spain -320, Austria +950, Draw +420 |
Spain vs. Austria over/under: | 2.5 goals |
Spain vs. Austria to qualify for next round: | Spain -950, Austria +610 |
Spain vs. Austria picks: | |
Spain vs. Austria streaming: | Fubo (Try for free) |
Top Spain vs. Austria predictions
After examining Spain vs. Austria from every angle, Eimer is leaning Under 2.5 total goals (+106). Eimer sees Spain as being the much more talented side, but hasn't played at their best yet. Austria, meanwhile, are taking part in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and have been one of the more exciting teams so far.
"This is one of the harder to predict Round of 32 matches for me," Eimer said. "If Spain was playing how they should be playing it would be easy, but right now it's a coin-flip of which Spain side shows up." With all of the uncertainties entering the match, Eimer is taking the Under. See Eimer's best bets for Spain vs. Austria at SportsLine, and you can bet the Under in Spain vs. Austria at FanDuel here:
How to make Spain vs. Austria picks
After studying the Spain vs. Austria matchup from every angle, Eimer has found a critical x-factor and locked in two plus-money best bets. You can head to SportsLine to see what they are.
So what are the best bets for Spain vs. Austria? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Spain vs. Austria, all from expert on a 25-15 roll on World Cup picks, and find out.
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