CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — The woman who pleaded guilty to the murder of her baby, after he was found frozen to death, was sentenced to serve just over 30 years in prison.
Melissa Chrisman was arrested and charged in 2020 — 17 years after the baby was found dead. An 11-year-old discovered “Baby Daniel” while walking in Western Branch Park on Jan. 17, 2003. The boy found the baby wrapped in blankets, with its umbilical cord still attached.
The case went cold for many years until the 2020 arrest, and it wasn’t until November 2023 that Chrisman pleaded guilty to murder — 20 years later.
At the time of the incident, Chrisman was 24. She was sentenced on April 5 to 55 years with 23 suspended, leaving 32 years to serve.
“Baby Daniel” would’ve been close to 21 years old today.
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