Missouri Woman Charged With Murder 32 Years After Baby Found in Iowa Landfill

Missouri Woman Charged With Murder 32 Years After Baby Found in Iowa Landfill

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A decades-old mystery has led to a murder charge, after investigators say advanced DNA technology identified the mother of an infant found dead in an Iowa landfill more than 32 years ago.

Cindy Sue Elder, 58, of Clever, Missouri, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case. Elder was 26 years old in December 1992 when the baby’s body was discovered at the Iowa City Landfill inside a plastic bag left in a Coralville trash can.

At the time, investigators were unable to make progress, citing limited forensic tools and little information about the child’s birth. The case remained cold for nearly three decades.

In 2020, the Iowa City Police Department reopened the investigation, resubmitting preserved evidence for testing with new DNA technology. Detectives were eventually able to identify Elder as the child’s mother.

According to authorities, Elder admitted giving birth while living in Iowa City. She claimed the baby was born alive but said she did not know how the child died. Investigators allege Elder placed the newborn in a plastic bag and discarded it.

The baby’s father, who has not been publicly named, told police he was unaware of both the pregnancy and birth.

“This case exemplifies our commitment to crime victims, especially ones so vulnerable,” Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston said in a statement. “I am grateful for the dedication, partnerships, and technological advances that have made this arrest possible.”