CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A Portsmouth woman will serve 32 years in prison in a cold murder case of her infant son from two decades ago.
Melissa Chrisman's sentence comes after she pled guilty to first-degree murder in the death of a newborn baby who came to be known as "Baby Daniel." A child found the infant's body in Western Branch Park back in January 2003. It was determined the infant, who was discovered in only a diaper and a blue blanket, died from hypothermia.
The cold case was reopened in 2019 when additional tests were run that helped lead authorities to the infant's mother — Chrisman.
Police arrested Chrisman in 2020 after they said forensic evidence linked her to the crime. Separate charges of felony abuse and neglect were set aside as part of Chrisman's plea agreement.
Chrisman "denied any involvement until confronted with the DNA evidence" which is when officials say she admitted to being the baby's mother and abandoning him.
“This newborn baby is perhaps the most innocent and completely helpless victim Chesapeake has ever seen," said Commonwealth’s Attorney Matt Hamel. "Instead of caring for her baby, this defendant betrayed her obligation and left her baby in the snow-covered woods to die. She then evaded detection for nearly 20 years."
Her total sentence was 55 years, but 23 years were suspended, according to online court records.