Woman Arrested for 23-year-old Fort Collins Cold Case
42-year-old Jennifer Katalinich was arrested on Tuesday morning for a 23-year-old Fort Collins cold case, according to a press release from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
Katalinich, also known as Jennifer Tjornehoj, is charged with both first- and second-degree murder for the 1996 "Baby Faith" murder case. She's listed as a resident of Erie.
"Baby Faith" had been found by two Fort Collins boys on Aug. 24, 1996. The unidentified newborn girl was found floating in a plastic bag in the north end of Horsetooth Reservoir.
Investigators reopened the case in 2006 hoping advances in DNA would help but unfortunately no new information surfaced.
Investigators resubmitted evidence in 2016 and five individuals were found with a probability of being related to Baby Faith.
Investigators traveled to Minnesota and Maryland to conduct interviews with the potential family matches. Investigators met with Katalinich on Oct. 18, 2019.
A warrant was issued for Katalinch's arrest on Nov. 1. She surrendered to authorities on Tuesday morning.
"This case is a great reminder that (Larimer County Sheriff's Office) is determined to solve all cases despite the amount of time that passes," said Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith in the press release.
"It often takes just one citizen to come forward with information to spark a new life to a cold case."
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in the court of law. An arrest is merely an accusation of a crime by law enforcement.