Mother arrested after genetics solve cold case murder of newborn

LONGVIEW — According to a press release from the Longview Police Department, a 27-year-old cold case involving the discovery of a newborn found dead in a field has been solved using genetics testing.

In June of 1998, officers responded to the area of West Harrison Road and Jordan Valley Road, where they discovered the dead newborn in a field. “Despite extensive investigation and public assistance, detectives were unable to identify the child or the parents at that time,” officials said. “The infant was given the name Baby Jane Doe.”

In 2025, while reviewing cold cases, officers utilized advanced genetic profile technology to identify a potential parent of the child. The investigation led detectives to 47-year-old Misty Marie Mitchell of Longview, who admitted to being the child’s mother during an interview.

Mitchell was arrested on Tuesday for capital murder and is being held at the Gregg County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

“The Longview Police Department is committed to seeking justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed,” officials said. “This case remains under investigation, and anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Longview Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 903-237-1110.”