DNA Links Mom to 3 Newborn Skeletons

FORT WORTH, Texas - The Tarrant County sheriff says the mystery of who hid two newborn skeletons beneath a mobile home and another in a suitcase has finally been solved.

The sheriff said a woman who previously lived in the mobile home is the biological mother of all three children.

This week the sheriff’s office charged 36-year-old Rachel Lynette New with a felony tampering with evidence charge.

In August her former landlord was cleaning the property located near Rendon, Texas. He found a box and plastic storage bin containing two skeletons beneath the porch.

At the time, New and her brother, who also lived in the home, denied knowing anything about the remains.

But according to the sheriff’s office, DNA evidence links New to the full-term newborn remains.

She has also been linked by DNA to the skeleton of another newborn found in a suitcase in the same area in 2008.

However, investigators have not been able to determine if the babies were born dead or alive. Investigators also do not know who the fathers are.

It is a tremendously complicated investigation, the sheriff said.

New’s brother has not been arrested or charged. The sheriff’s office said he denies knowledge of any crimes.

SEE ALSO:

• Infant Skeleton IDs Remain a Mystery
• Infant Skeletons Found Buried under Home