Identified! MS - Pascagoula, WhtFem Child 45UFMS "Delta Dawn", 1-3, Dog River @I-10, Dec'82 - Alisha Heinrich

[Ambercat]

Two bodies of different size will behave differently when thrown into a river. A breeze, a tree branch, sliding into an underwater current will send them to very different places.

For all it's worth, I think it's a murder/suicide. Maybe untreated baby blues that went on for too long.

You're right it could have been postpartum depression of some sort (that probably wasn't being treated). That thought didn't occur to me yesterday. The more I think about this kid, the more I doubt that the woman seen with her is her mom (but that is just IMO), I could be wrong.

 

[paul1980]

I'm kind of concerned about the latest reconstruction photo of her. Why did they give her longer hair and fuller lips? and they made her lips look glossy so it looks as though she's wearing lipstick. I don't think they needed to "girly" her up to get people to care more.

 

[rainwater]

Been lurking on this page for a while-I happened across an article online from GQ magazine about serial truck driver killer Ben Rhoades. The last several sentences of the article grabbed my attention-the article was written by a woman who spent her teen years running away and hitching with truck drivers, including, she believes, Rhoades. The last paragraph of the long article contains the sentences:

One story Debra Davis told still haunts me. She was on a trip with her husband, Bob, the last she ever took in his truck. They were heading west on I-10 and stopped somewhere in Arizona at a busy truck stop. By the restaurant door was a young woman with a baby, trying to get a ride. Debra said she looked about 18 or 19 and desperate. Debra wanted to give her money or do something. (BBM) Her own sister had been on the street, and she was overwhelmed by the woman at the door and didn't want to just walk away. Rhoades saw what Debra was looking at. He came around behind her and grabbed her shoulders. He turned her slowly toward the girl and pointed. "You see that, Debbie," he whispered in her ear. "She's one of the invisible people."


Link to full article:
http://www.gq.com/story/truck-stop-killer-gq-november-2012

 

[carbuff]

That article is worth reading for anybody who follows serial killers or tries to find identities for unidentified bodies.

 

[Claireishere]

Ok here to bump and hopefully not restate what is already stated. For years I thought the mom had been found. Looking at the doe network I see where Delta Dawn was found and then a few days later a single black male was found as well. Clearly they were likely searching the area for evidence and found him after. Her not having eaten that day has always bothered me. Why would a mom toss a child she loves over a bridge? Why could someone know their child was dead and not report it? No child makes it to that age and is cared for daily and then just suddenly killed. The mom is either dead or whoever was caring for her is dead, or convinced she is ok somewhere and has never bothered looking. Maybe an abusive husband killed her and never allowed her to report it? She looks so much like my daughter now and we are from the area. Even though she died before I was born it's hard not to want to save her from this kind of legacy.

 

[SemmesMom]

Bumping for this sweet baby and hoping to answer some of Claireishere's questions.
I'm not an expert on this case but I've read a lot on it since finding the case a few years ago. This is one case that "haunts" me (for lack of a better word) as we would be around the same age and I have always lived in Mobile County.
According to (at least) one report I read, truckers observed a woman on I-10, walking west. There was a "witness" that was listening to CB chatter that evening who said the truckers were "raising he77" about the woman walking with the baby (it was late in the evening, IIRC). I believe someone even attempted to assist her and she refused assistance. I believe the trucker who called in the report of a body in the water actually reported a woman in the water. The woman was never found but they found the baby. If you are familiar with the area than you know it's kinda "swampy" around there. Quite possible a gator, or other wildlife, found the woman.
I was not aware that an African American gentleman was found in that area around the same time though. Frankly, it doesn't surprise me as it seems they are always finding bodies/remains in the coastal area.
Anyway, I have theories as to why/how the baby (and mom?) were never identified since I've read so much on the case but nothing that can be proved, so would rather not post.
If I missed any questions feel free to point them out. I'll try to keep an eye on the thread. Glad I'm not the only local that cares about this baby.

 

[Jake479]

Today marks 33 years since her body was found. I hope she is identified soon.
RIP Delta Dawn

 

[paul1980]

Someone must have known this baby in life *and* her mother. Even in pre internet days i can't imagine the sudden vanishing of a *white* blonde toddler not causing ripples in her local community. Her being female would just have heightened that - most little boys would not get the same attention or same concern.

 

[Vital Forces]

Delta Dawn is estimated to have been 18 months old at the time of her death in December 1982. That would put her date of birth circa June 1, 1981 plus or minus 3 months. We can be almost certain that she was born between March 1 and August 31, 1981.

If someone (or a group) looked through birth announcements in newspapers within 100 miles of Moss Point, MS, they could compile a list of all baby girls born during that period along with the names of the mothers. Delta Dawn would likely be on that list somewhere.

Comparing the mothers' names against missing persons reports from 1982 onward could narrow down the potential field.

That's a least an idea of how to solve this case. I don't know if Southern newspaper archives from that era would be available online.

 

[paul1980]

Good idea. This baby can be given her name back. There is always hope.

 

[KaylaraOwl]

Ok, I know that reddit links won't work properly but I found this:

Girl I went to high school with and her daughter were riding down the interstate with her ex-boyfriend. He says that she demanded to be let out so he pulled over. She got out, took the baby with her and was never heard from again.

https://www.re dd it.com/r/AskRe ddit/comments/1k6h94/dear_redd it_has_anyone_youve_known_simply/cbm2av0



It's a post from two years ago, and there are no other details. Should I try to contact the poster and get details?

 

[cvaldez1975]

it is a good idea, but I have a feeling she wasn't from that area or else she may have been id'd by now.

Delta Dawn is estimated to have been 18 months old at the time of her death in December 1982. That would put her date of birth circa June 1, 1981 plus or minus 3 months. We can be almost certain that she was born between March 1 and August 31, 1981.

If someone (or a group) looked through birth announcements in newspapers within 100 miles of Moss Point, MS, they could compile a list of all baby girls born during that period along with the names of the mothers. Delta Dawn would likely be on that list somewhere.

Comparing the mothers' names against missing persons reports from 1982 onward could narrow down the potential field.

That's a least an idea of how to solve this case. I don't know if Southern newspaper archives from that era would be available online.

 

[Gourami Watcher]

While searching through Missingpersons.yuku, I found a link to show a postmortem of Delta Dawn. It's black and white and very fuzzy, but it is possible to make out her facial features. It's amazing how the NCMEC was able to produce such a detailed image if they used the same photo that I found. Here's the link: http://smg.photobucket.com/user/suzannec4444/media/Tammy/post-25-1124460704.jpg.html

 

[paul1980]

Walk on in Heaven, Delta Dawn. Many people on Earth are still searching for your name.

 

[carbuff]

Ok, I know that reddit links won't work properly but I found this:




https://www.re dd it.com/r/AskRe ddit/comments/1k6h94/dear_redd it_has_anyone_youve_known_simply/cbm2av0



It's a post from two years ago, and there are no other details. Should I try to contact the poster and get details?

It couldn't hurt if you feel comfortable doing that. Worst that happens is you don't get an answer.

 

[paul1980]

There's a special place in the Christian Hell for the person that tossed this baby girl into the river. IMO.

 

[KaylaraOwl]

I did contact them, and they had no details, but said they would contact their friend and try to get names.

 

[tabacue]

Are there any official rule-outs known? Namus lists her as 1-1, unknown color of hair or bald. Maybe she was younger...

 

[paul1980]

Namus is probably wrong. It's been known to happen.

Rest in the loving arms of God, Delta Dawn.

 

[Gourami Watcher]

Are there any official rule-outs known?

After contacting the Help ID Me run by the NCMEC on Facebook, they said Brandi Krajewski from Nipton, California was ruled out after I submitted her as a potential match.