Baby Garnet: How a Cold Case From 1997 was Reopened Because of an Ancestry DNA Test.
- Claire Kelly
- Mar 4
- 2 min read
In June 1997, a deceased baby girl, estimated to be between 36-42 weeks old, was discovered in an outhouse at Garnet Lake Campground in Naubinway, Michigan. The infant, later named “Baby Garnet,” became the focus of a case that haunted the community but remained unsolved for 25 years. That changed when an ancestry DNA test reopened the investigation.
Jenna Rose Gerwatoski, a Michigan-based TikTok user, went viral after sharing her connection to the case. She had purchased an Ancestry DNA kit on a whim, inspired by a friend’s experience. “You spit in a tube, send it in, and they give you your results,” Jenna explained. A year later, she received an unexpected call from a Michigan State Police detective informing her that her DNA somehow matched Baby Garnet’s.
Further investigation revealed that Jenna’s mother was a direct relative of the infant. DNA testing and research eventually identified Nancy Gerwatoski, Jenna’s grandmother, as Baby Garnet’s mother. At the time, Nancy was living in Pinedale, Wyoming. A search warrant confirmed her identity through DNA, leading to her arrest in July 2022. Gerwatoski was then charged with murder, involuntary manslaughter, and concealing the death of an individual.
Michigan Department of Attorney General shares the state believes that Gerwatowski delivered the child at her Newberry home, where baby Garnet died from Asphyxiation. This death could have been prevented, the state alleges, but Gerwatowski did not seek medical intervention.
Asphyxia, a condition that can occur during childbirth, is defined as a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain. It happens when a baby’s brain and other organs do not receive sufficient oxygen or nutrients. Birth asphyxia has various causes but is treatable in most cases. According to the Seattle Children’s Research Institute, babies with mild or moderate asphyxia often recover fully.
Nancy Gerwatoski, who now resides in Wyoming, was released on a personal recognizance (PR) bond following her arrest. A PR bond allows the accused to be released without paying bail but comes with conditions. Judges consider factors such as the defendant’s criminal history, employment, community ties, the likelihood of appearing in court, public safety risks, and the severity of the charges before granting this type of bond.
Ultimately, Gerwatoski was required to wear a GPS-tracking device and remain under house arrest. In May 2024, it was announced that she would stand trial for the crime. She is scheduled to appear before the 11th Circuit Court of Mackinac County for a motion hearing on December 12, 2024.
This case, which shocked the nation 27 years ago, is nearing its conclusion. Advances in genetic testing and investigative techniques helped bring it to light once again. Jenna Rose Gerwatoski’s decision to purchase a DNA kit ultimately led to the identification and arrest of her grandmother, Nancy Gerwatoski, who now faces charges for the tragic death of Baby Girl Garnet, her daughter.
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