Criminal Justice Major Helps Police Solve Cold Case

When Jasmia Molina ’21 learned that the Meriden Police Department was looking for an intern to work on a cold case, she submitted her resume. She never expected, though, that she would play a critical role in solving the case less than a year later.

The decades-old case centered around a newborn baby who was found 32 years ago abandoned under a tree. Meriden police – who named the little boy "David Paul" – vowed to find the baby’s mother. In 2012, they began using genealogy to try to find her.

As part of her internship, Molina reorganized all the information police had on the case so that it was easily accessible. Sorting through boxes of files, she organized the information in Word and Excel documents and, later, created a PowerPoint presentation.

"I hope students learn that there are exciting internships out there where you can make a difference."Michael Clark, M.A.

"Working on the case gave me the opportunity to become familiar with all the components of solving a crime," she said. "It tested my critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of ensuring that every detail, no matter how small, was looked at."

Detectives ultimately used the latest DNA and forensic-genealogy technology, as well as the information that Molina organized, to locate the baby’s mother. Molina’s discovery of a detail that didn’t match up with the original timeline was a crucial piece that helped police solve the puzzle.

"Cases such as this one represent the best of investigative practices, both in the use of the latest forensic techniques and in the dogged determination to never give up on finding the truth, no matter how long it takes," said David Schroeder, Ph.D., acting dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven. "To enable our students to experience investigative realities like those found in this case is what a Lee College education is all about."

Meriden police recently announced that David Paul’s mother had been found, and Molina says attending the press conference when the findings of the case were shared was a "surreal" experience.

"One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of ensuring that every detail, no matter how small, was looked at."Jasmia Molina ’21

"When detectives told me they’d found the baby’s mother and that the information I pieced together had a vital role in solving the case, I was speechless," she continued. "I couldn’t believe I was a part of something so big. It is such a humbling feeling to know I had a part in something so significant. This experience was definitely once in a lifetime, and it helped reassure my career path."

Molina, who hopes to work for the FBI, says her experiences in the classroom provided a strong foundation for her work with the Meriden Police Department. She credits networking opportunities and her coursework with enabling her to feel confident and comfortable communicating with police.

Michael Clark, M.A., who first mentioned the internship opportunity to Molina, says her success could inspire other students.

"I am very proud of Jasmia and her efforts in solving this case," said Clark, a retired FBI special agent. "I hope students learn that there are exciting internships out there where you can make a difference. Don’t be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone when seeking an internship. The rewards can be amazing."