Full Breakdown
Mansfield 1985 Newborn Murder Case Revives After 41 Years: Dianne Curry Peck Charged
7/2/2026, 12:44:38 AM
Reopening a 41-Year-Old Cold Case
On June 30 2026, a Bristol County Grand Jury indicted 59-year-old Dianne Curry Peck of Attleboro on a murder charge for the death of her newborn son discovered in Mansfield, Massachusetts, in 1985. Peck entered a not-guilty plea at Fall River Superior Court and was released on $10,000 bail pending a pre-trial conference scheduled for August 31.
Discovery of the Infant and Initial Investigation (1985)
On January 26 1985, a father and son hunting off Fruit Street in Mansfield followed footprints to a stone wall and found a naked newborn boy partially covered by snow. The medical examiner determined the infant had been born alive but died shortly after exposure. Police held a funeral—funded by the department and then-Patriots quarterback Steve Grogan—videotaped the service, but no suspect was identified and the case went cold.
Forensic Genetic Genealogy Breakthrough (2022-2025)
In April 2022 the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office expanded its cold-case unit to re-examine unidentified remains. Using FBI forensic genetic genealogy, investigators built a family tree from the infant’s DNA, which pointed to a 17-year-old senior at Mansfield High School—Dianne Curry. In 2024, DNA extracted from a soda-bottle cap found in her trash reinforced the maternal link. Interviews in August 2025 yielded a confession that she had hidden a pregnancy discovered in summer 1984, delivered the baby in her ex-boyfriend’s car, and handed the infant to him for adoption. DNA from a relative of the ex-boyfriend later confirmed his paternity; he died in 2020.
Key Individuals
- Dianne Curry Peck – accused mother, former Mansfield High senior.
- Unnamed ex-boyfriend – fellow senior, identified posthumously as the father via relative DNA.
- Jason Mohan – Bristol County prosecutor leading the case.
- Jason Maloney – defense attorney for Peck.
- FBI – provided forensic genealogy analysis.
- Bristol County District Attorney’s Office – oversaw the cold-case unit.
Timeline of Core Events
- Summer 1984: Peck learns she is pregnant.
- January 20 1985: Peck claims to have given birth (medical examiner disputes date).
- January 26 1985: Infant discovered in Mansfield woods.
- April 2022: Cold-case unit expansion.
- 2024: Soda-bottle DNA links Peck to infant.
- August 2025: Peck interviewed; admits pregnancy and delivery.
- June 30 2026: Grand jury indictment and arraignment.
- August 31 2026: Scheduled pre-trial conference.
Official Statements & Responses
Prosecutor Jason Mohan described the scene: “The baby was found sunk into the snow and it appeared that body heat from the baby melted the snow under the baby, turning it to ice.” He added that investigators could not locate anyone who knew of Peck’s pregnancy and found no evidence the ex-boyfriend was involved. Defense attorney Jason Maloney cautioned, “The allegations in question undoubtedly invoke a visceral reaction. Having said that, we would ask all parties reserve judgement until all the facts present themselves. Miss Peck looks forward to her day in court.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Birth date: Peck asserted a January 20 delivery; the medical examiner’s report contradicts this.
- Infant’s sex: Peck later claimed she believed the baby was a girl, though the examiner identified a male infant.
- Ex-boyfriend’s knowledge: DNA confirms paternity, yet investigators found no indication he knew of the pregnancy or participated in the infant’s disposal.
Verbatim Quotes
1. “The baby was found sunk into the snow and it appeared that body heat from the baby melted the snow under the baby, turning it to ice,” — Jason Mohan, Prosecutor
2. “Having said that, we would ask all parties reserve judgement until all the facts present themselves.” — Jason Maloney, Attorney
3. “CBS Boston "She stated that she learned that she was pregnant in the summer of 1984, pregnant with the baby of an ex-boyfriend.” — Jason Mohan, Prosecutor
4. “She stated that after she delivered the baby, she gave the baby to her now ex-boyfriend and that he said he would take it and give it to a family for adoption.” — Jason Mohan, Prosecutor
5. “She stated that she never spoke to the ex-boyfriend again after this incident," Mohan said.” — Jason Mohan, Prosecutor
6. “The investigators were not able to determine a single individual who had knowledge that Miss Peck was pregnant in 1985.” — Jason Mohan, Prosecutor
What’s Next
Peck remains on bail and must surrender her passport. The August 31 pre-trial conference will set a trial date, after which the case will proceed to determine whether the murder charge stands.
