SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Charges have finally been filed in the death of a baby thrown in a Sioux Falls ditch 38 years ago.
According to NBC affiliate KDLT, Theresa Bentaas, 57,was arrested Friday on murder and manslaughter charges. Police used DNA and genealogy websites to determine that she is the mother of a child known only as "Baby Andrew."
Bentaas is accused of leaving the newborn in a ditch in Sioux Falls in 1981. He died of exposure. Ten years ago, the baby was exhumed and DNA was obtained. DNA was also obtained from Bentaas using a search warrant.
"I know it sounds cliché, but we don't quit on these," said Mike Webb, retired Sioux Falls police detective. "And I'll be the first to admit you work pretty hard when it's a child case. So, you go through a lot of frustrations and you get knocked down a lot, but you keep getting back up and you don't quit. And that's what we did."
According to court documents, Bentaas said she hid her pregnancy from family and friends. The father was not arrested and authorities say he was not involved.
