Overview

• Franklin Police Department revealed during a July 14 ceremony at Greenlawn Cemetery that public genetic genealogy had identified Baby Hope’s parents.
• DNA analysis confirmed Cheryl D. Larson, who died in 2018, as the newborn’s mother and Paul R. Shepherd as her father.
• Officers relied exclusively on data from users who opted in for law-enforcement matching to ensure privacy safeguards.
• Paul Shepherd has cooperated fully with investigators, providing a DNA sample and naming the child Hope Shepherd in tribute.
• No charges have been filed and detectives say the homicide investigation remains active as they seek additional evidence.