It started out as just entertainment for Jenna Gerwatowski, a resident of Newberry, Michigan, but her action ended up solving a 25-year-old detective mystery, reports CNN. Two years ago, at age 23, Jenna took a recreational DNA test, a common practice in the United States, to explore her origins. “ A friend of mine had received a recreational DNA kit for Christmas. I thought it was a scam, but I still wanted to try “, she explains in a video on TikTok. A year later, she received a call from the police telling her that her DNA profile matched that of a criminal wanted since 1997.
A simple DNA test turns into a police investigation
The case in question, known as “ baby Garnet ”, is a “ cold case » well known locally. A newborn baby was discovered lifeless in the toilets of the Garnet Lake campsite, where Jenna grew up. At the time, identifying the culprit seemed impossible.
Initially thinking it was a joke, Jenna discovers that her DNA could actually close this investigation. Further analysis reveals that the culprit is none other than her maternal grandmother, Nancy Gerwatowski, now 60 years old. Nancy was questioned and tried in Michigan court.
The Mystery of “Baby Garnet Finally Solved”
According to CNNNancy explained that she gave birth alone in a bathtub, but the baby, unfortunately, died of asphyxiation after getting stuck. Without access to a phone to call for help, she lost consciousness, before managing to extract the baby. She then hid the body in a bag at the campsite. Nancy's trial is expected before the end of the year, with a possible sentence of life in prison.
Jenna, upset by this revelation, explains in her TikTok video that she had little contact with her grandmother, whose existence she only learned about when she was 15 due to previous family conflicts.
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