An upstate New York woman was sentenced on Friday to 25 years in prison for the death of her newborn, whose body was found in an Albany park nearly 30 years ago.
Keri Mazzuca, of Altamont, was arrested last year in connection with the cold case that was finally solved with the help of DNA evidence.
The 53-year-old mother of two was arrested by Albany police on Sept. 14 and charged with second-degree murder and related crimes.
Prosecutors accused Mazzuca of killing her newborn, whose remains were found under the statue of Moses in Albany’s Washington Park on the morning of Sept. 7, 1997.
The baby, still with his umbilical cord attached, was wrapped in charred cloth, officials said. He was later determined to have been born alive and healthy.
Investigation into the shocking discovery, which became known as the “Baby Moses” case, went cold due to a lack of evidence. However, in 2020, police reopened the case and partnered with the Cold Case Analysis Center at the College of Saint Rose in Albany.
Using previously unavailable DNA technology, forensic specialists extracted a usable DNA profile from preserved evidence, which led them to Mazzuca.
On Feb. 13, Mazzuca pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence in Albany County Court. As part of the plea, she admitted to suffocating her newborn son to death and concealing his body.
During her sentencing on Friday, Mazzuca addressed the court and apologized for her actions.
“I did a horrible, unimaginable thing. And I lived with remorse and regret,” Mazzuca said when asking for leniency. “I’m a great mom. I’ve lived a law-abiding life. I do deserve a lengthy sentence, I just hope you use some discretion.”
Albany County Judge Roger McDonough wasn’t convinced.
Calling her actions a “tragedy beyond measure,” McDonough sentenced her to the statutory maximum of 25 years in prison.
