Man acquitted of all charges in “Baby Mary” death
An Adah man was acquitted of all charges Thursday in the death of a newborn baby whose body was found in a North Union Township creek in 2000. Warren Bircher, 35, testified Wednesday that he did not kill the infant whose body was found in a backpack, wrapped in plastic bags in Cove Run Creek on June 4, 2000.
He also told jurors that he never had sex with the baby’s mother – his former sister-in-law – Sarah Sue Hawk, 26.
It was Hawk who testified that Bircher could be the father of the infant who became known as Baby Mary.
She testified he delivered the child, told her it was not breathing, and then disposed of the newborn’s body.
“I’m glad they did see through the evidence,” said Bircher’s defense attorney, Jack W. Connor. “It’s a situation, in my opinion, where justice prevailed.”
In addition to criminal homicide, Bircher was also charged with concealing the death of a child and conspiracy to commit each. Jurors deliberated two hours and 45 minutes before returning with the verdict.
For more on the case, read tomorrow’s Herald-Standard.