Franklin Police Name Baby Hope's Parents After 31 Years

Franklin, Indiana police have identified the biological parents of 'Baby Hope,' a newborn found stabbed to death in a trash can in 1994, using advanced DNA and genealogy technology. The mother was Cheryl Dawn Larson, who died in 2018, and the father is Paul Shepherd, who was unaware of the pregnancy and has cooperated with investigators. Shepherd, upon learning the truth, was grief-stricken and chose the name 'Hope Shepherd' for his daughter. No charges have been filed, as Larson is deceased and key questions about the circumstances remain unanswered. The case is still open, and authorities are seeking further information from the public. The identification provides some closure for the community, though the full story behind Baby Hope's death remains unresolved.