Woman charged in ‘Baby Boy Horry’ cold case booked into jail

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – Horry County police announced that charges are pending in connection with the “Baby Boy Horry” cold case from more than a decade ago.

According to Horry County Police Chief Joseph Hill, arrest warrants have been issued for Jennifer Sahr, out of Escambia County, Fla., who is facing a charge of homicide by child abuse.

Sahr was arrested late Tuesday afternoon in the North Myrtle Beach area while with her husband, according to her attorney, Greg McCollum.

HCPD officials said Sahr was taken into custody by members of the Carolina Regional Fugitive U.S. Marshals Task Force.

Jail records show she was booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center around 6:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Agents with the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division confirmed that 32-year-old Sahr, whose last name was formerly Rickel, is the biological mother of Baby Boy Horry.

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“We have begun the process of justice for a child simply known as Baby Boy Horry,” solicitor Jimmy Richardson said.

Hill said Sahr was a student at Coastal Carolina University at the time of the baby’s birth and discovery. Scientific evidence is what led authorities to name her as a suspect, he added.

On Dec. 4, 2008, a newly-born baby boy was found after being deserted on the side of a road off S.C. 544 and Meadowbrook Drive. The newborn, since named Baby Boy Horry, was found abandoned in a shopping bag by utility workers. Investigators believe he was less than two days old, but the infant has never been identified.

Baby Boy Horry is buried at Hillcrest Cemetery, where a memorial headstone was erected in his honor, according to a HCPD press release.

A memorial service is held at the site every year, led by Horry County Coroner Robert Edge and members of the community.

“Baby Horry became part of our county family as he was discovered abandoned just three weeks before Christmas in 2008 and we are eager to assist in pursuing justice for him,” Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said in a statement. “Robert, myself and our department appreciate everyone who has helped us remember him and celebrate his short life throughout the last 11 years.”

McCollum said she had no idea she was part of the investigation until police showed up at her home in Florida informing her about the warrants out for her arrest.

He added that it’s important for the public to remember this woman is innocent until proven guilty.

“We live in an age of misinformation, people get very emotional and bring out the pitchforks early,” said McCollum. "It’s very easy to get arrested for something but what really happens takes a much deeper dive into the history and evidence.

At the time of WMBF’s conversation with McCollum, he thought Sahr was still on her way to Horry County to turn herself into police Wednesday morning. He’s not sure why law enforcement went looking for her on Tuesday to make an arrest.

Sahr is expected to make her first court appearance on Wednesday at J. Ruben Long Detention Center where she will face homicide by child abuse charges.

“We look forward to going through the process, she is presumed innocent and people should not get out their pitchforks at this point a lot of times these cases are highly emotional,” said McCollum.

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