ST. IGNACE, Mich. – A court will soon decide whether a mother’s statement to law enforcement authorities regarding the murder of “Baby Garnet” will be admissible at trial.

On June 26, 1997, a worker discovered a baby girl, known as “Baby Garnet,” in the waste pit of a campground outbuilding on Garnet Lake while emptying a septic tank at the campground. It was estimated that the baby was almost full-term.

Nancy Ann Gerwatowski, 60, was charged with open murder, involuntary manslaughter and concealing the death of a person.

The case came up for review in 2017 when investigators turned to forensic genetic genealogy to search for answers. Authorities said additional DNA testing of Gerwatowski in 2022 confirmed her ancestry. She was arrested and charged that year.

Investigators said Gerwatowski confirmed to them that she is the child’s mother.

Authorities believe that Gerwatowski delivered the newborn alone at her Newberry home, where Baby Garnet died due to asphyxiation, and that the death could have been prevented by medical intervention that Gerwatowski did not request. She then allegedly hid the newborn’s body in an outbuilding at the campground in Hudson, more than 20 miles outside the city.

In May 2024, a judge ruled that Gerwatowski will stand trial on murder charges. If convicted, she faces life in prison.

According to court records, a hearing will be held on December 12, 2024 to decide whether Gerwatowski’s statement to law enforcement, her consideration for abortion and lack of prenatal health care can be used in the trial. The hearing will also decide whether or not to dismiss a concealment of death charge.