Kerns was charged via Information with unlawfully killing a newborn male infant with malice aforethought on Sept. 1.
"Forensic genealogy shattered the silence surrounding this crime and revealed the truth the defendant hid for nearly forty years: she deliberately and maliciously murdered her newborn baby," said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. "This plea is a direct result of relentless investigative work and scientific advances that allowed us to identify both parents and bring justice to an infant who was denied his first breath. Time will never shield those who commit violent crimes. I am extremely grateful to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the forensic specialists for their diligence and extraordinary work in the case."
"A case is never just a file on a shelf—it's a promise. Decades may pass, but we do not walk away, we do not forget, and we will never stop fighting to find the truth and seek justice," said Mr. John Fine, Chief, Cold Case Team, Air Force Office of Special Investigations. "When the AFOSI Cold Case Team was established in 2015, one of its first priorities was reopening the 1988 investigation into the murder of an infant at Sheppard Air Force Base. Our commitment to securing justice for the victim remained absolute. Through outstanding persistence, paired with advanced forensics and investigative genealogy, the team was ultimately able to resolve the case. We are deeply grateful to base leadership, local and federal law enforcement partners, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for working alongside us to bring about this resolution."
"Although this tragic loss occurred nearly four decades ago, the passage of time has not diminished our commitment to the truth," said Deputy Commander of the 82nd Training Wing, Col. Joseph Wierenga. "On behalf of Sheppard Air Force Base, we are proud partners in this effort and hope these long-awaited answers bring a meaningful sense of closure and healing to our installation and our community. We extend our profound gratitude to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Cold Case Team, whose relentless determination and use of modern forensic science were instrumental in solving this case, as well as our sincere appreciation to U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould and the dedicated prosecutors of the Northern District of Texas for their tireless work."
According to court documents, on or about Aug. 4, 1988, a deceased full-term infant was found in a laundry bin at Ponds Laundry in Wichita Falls, Texas, wrapped in linens from the Air Force Regional Hospital at Sheppard Air Force Base. At the time of discovery, all known pregnant patients and newborns at the hospital and on the base were accounted for.
An autopsy conducted on Aug. 5, 1988, determined that the full-term male infant had no morphologic abnormalities. The report indicated there was evidence of live birth and the toxicology screen returned negative for all substances. The cause of death was ruled hypovolemia and anemia. With no suspects identified, the investigation was eventually closed.
Forensic genealogy breakthrough
The case was revived decades later through advanced forensic genealogical methods. In 2015, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations reopened the investigation and conducted new interviews. In 2017, the U.S. Air Force pathology unit located genetic material from the deceased infant and sent it to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory to build a familial Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, profile.
In May 2022, forensic DNA laboratory and technology company Othram, Inc. performed laboratory testing of tissue samples from 1988 using advanced DNA sequencing and conducted forensic genetic genealogy research to identify biological relatives. This work led to a major breakthrough in 2023, identifying M.R. as the potential father of the infant. M.R. was interviewed on Dec. 10, 2024, and later confirmed as the biological father through DNA comparison.
"No child should be forgotten, no matter how much time has passed," said Othram CEO David Mittelman. "We are honored to have supported AFOSI with the DNA testing that helped uncover the truth in this case."
Identification of the mother
AFOSI Cold Case Unit analyzed personnel rosters from Andrews Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base covering 1987–1988. Through this roster analysis, investigators determined there was only one female service member stationed at Andrews the same time as M.R. during the likely conception period and reassigned to Sheppard at the time of birth: Tammy Sue Kerns.
On May 20, 2025, AFOSI conducted a non-custodial interview with Kerns where she admitted she was the infant's mother. She confirmed to investigators she concealed her pregnancy and never sought medical care.
In plea papers, Kerns admitted she went into labor while working a night shift at the hospital, hid herself in the x-ray room so that no one would see her and locked the doors to prevent others from entering. Kerns gave birth during the shift and once she delivered Infant Male Doe, she placed her hand over his mouth until he stopped crying and/or breathing. Kerns then severed the umbilical cord from Infant Male Doe and the placenta and wrapped the cord around his body. Kerns then wrapped Infant Male Doe in hospital linens and placed the deceased infant in the laundry bin, cleaned up the room and returned to her shift. At the conclusion of the interview, Kerns voluntarily provided her DNA which confirmed she was the mother of Infant Male Doe.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Kerns faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release up to five years. Her sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 8, 2027, before Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor.
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allyson Monte from the Fort Worth Division is prosecuting the case.
