A decade-long mystery solved: Police identify Baby Boy Horry’s mother
5 p.m. update: Horry County police say the suspect has been arrested.
After more than a decade of not knowing who left Baby Boy Horry to die in the woods, police say they identified his mom who is now wanted for murder.
Horry County police announced on Tuesday that Jennifer Sahr, 32, is wanted for homicide by child abuse in connection to the 2008 Baby Boy Horry case.
She lived in the Pensacola, Florida, area, though her current whereabouts are unknown.
“We are hoping that she sees this and turns herself into the Horry County Police Department or any law enforcement agency that’s nearby,” Chief Joe Hill said at a Tuesday news conference announcing the case development. “We will find her, we won’t stop looking for her and we will bring her to justice.”
Utility workers found Baby Boy Horry in a bag along Meadowbrook Road in the Conway area on Dec. 4, 2008. Local officials gave the deceased infant the name “Baby Boy Horry” after efforts to find his mother were unsuccessful.
Authorities say forensic testing confirmed Sahr — who was a Coastal Carolina University student at the time — is the biological mother of Baby Boy Horry.
The case garnered attention as the motorcycle club Rolling Thunder held annual memorial services. Horry County Coroner Robert Edge also doggedly tried to keep the case in the public’s eye.
“It’s a great relief to find out who the mother is,” Edge told The Sun News on Tuesday. “It’s just sad that child wasn’t taken somewhere he could receive medical attention and be with us today.”
Edge thanked Rolling Thunder for their efforts and added the community will “get justice for Baby Boy Horry.”
Police released few details of what led them to name Sahr as the suspect in the case. They would only say it was based on scientific evidence.
Jimmy Richardson, solicitor for the 15th Judicial Circuit, said the case remains active. He added Tuesday’s announcement is the second time in a few days Horry County police solved a high-profile case.
“Today, this hard work has come together and we have begun the process of justice for a child simply known as Baby Boy Horry,” Richardson said.
Lt. Jamie DeBari was a homicide detective in 2008 and said he remembers when the child was found in the woods. The child was alive at one point and could have lived if it was properly cared for, he said.
The case remained with DeBari for the last decade and recently he told his wife that he hoped it would be solved before he retired.
“Some [cases] seem to have a significant impact not only on communities, but on the law enforcement officers out there,” DeBari said.
Hill was not part of Horry police when crews found Baby Boy Horry, but said he has heard countless stories from officers. He said when they had their evidence and named a suspect it was a moment of mixed emotions.
“I can tell you it’s been a roller coaster of emotions,” Hill said, “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.”
This story was originally published March 3, 2020 at 1:04 PM with the headline "A decade-long mystery solved: Police identify Baby Boy Horry’s mother."
