Velina Jeter Identified After 47 Years

In a moving turn of events that has brought closure to a cold case, Ohio authorities announced the identification of a 20‑month‑old girl whose charred remains were discovered in a field in Springfield Township on February 4, 1979. The child, who had been known as “Baby Angel” for decades, was named Velina Jeter.

Velina, born on June 10, 1977, in Columbus, was found on Eiler Lane after a routine farm‑hand search uncovered a corpse that was not recognizable due to the heat‐drawn skin and fractured bones. Early forensic work indicated she was a One‑year‑old African American girl, but no further clues surfaced.

During the original investigation, investigators recorded a traumatic injury to her head—blood inside her skull—characterizing the death as a homicide. However, the body’s condition made DNA recovery impossible at the time.

Fast forward to 2008, when her remains were exhumed for DNA extraction. Advances in forensic technology allowed genealogists to compare the recovered DNA with family reference samples, leading to a match that confirmed Velina’s identity.

In a press briefing held on May 29, 2026, Dr. Lakshmi Kode Sammarco, Hamilton County Coroner, revealed that Velina’s biological parents, Sharon Jeter and Barry Lee Valentine, are both deceased. Their deaths were noted in the release; Sharon died in December 2013 and Barry in February 2011. The coroner’s office also released the names of the parents to acknowledge the family’s long‑awaited closure.

The investigation remains open, as no suspects have been identified. The Springfield Township Police, Cincinnati Police, and the FBI’s Southern Ohio Cold Case Task Force continue to seek leads, urging the public to provide DNA or additional information that may help resolve the case.

For the community of Springfield Township, the rule of enduring reverence has long dominated a now‑resolved tragedy. The confirmation of Velina’s identity was welcomed as a final step in a decades‑old search, and officers praised the community for its outreach, which helped bring the case back into focus.

Velina’s story illustrates how modern forensic science, combined with community engagement, can bring answers to cases that once seemed beyond hope. While the investigation is still ongoing, the legacy of the young girl lives on in the renewed sense of closure and justice for those who loved her.