The Marlboro County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday that it is reopening a 6-year old cold case involving a possible infanticide.

An infant girl was found dead in the Marlboro County Transfer Trash Station on June 16, 2003. The child has yet to be identified and officials were unable to determine either the cause of death or parentage.

"Although the investigation is six years old, we believe that reopening it will spur interest among the public and the development of new information will occur," said Lt. Jamie G. Seales, Marlboro County investigator. "The investigation will continue until the mother of the child is identified and baby Jane Doe is given her proper name. The child has a family... and they deserve to know who she is."

Seales added that, at the time of the incident, the mother's judgement was likely skewed by emotional strain.

"We feel that, at the time of the incident, the mother was under a great deal of stress and her judgment may have been clouded for some reason," Seales said. "We believe the mother did what she thought was right and may now understand the mistake she made."

He listed several factors that may have contributed to the decision: conception from a rape or affair, unrecognized relationship of parents, disapproval of loved ones or other emotional or financial strains.

Seales said the mother may have sought medical treatment or tried to hide the pregnancy in 2003.

According to Seales, reopening the case may either make the mother come forward or raise red flags to friends and family members in the coming weeks.

"We feel the mother may begin to feel stress and guilt once again and people close to her may recognize some of the signs: feelings of uselessness, loss of interest in friends, sleeping problems, abuse of alcohol, changes in weight or suicidal thoughts," Seales said. "We understand that someone close to the mother might be aware of who she is but may be afraid to come forward and the mother be labeled as a criminal. We understand the difficulty in this decision, but they might be the only person who can help the mother get the assistance she needs and that the baby doesn't remain a nameless child without a family."

The child is described as having dark hair and a light brown skin tone. An artist's rendering of the child was released.

Anyone with information on this is asked to contact the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office at 843-479-5605 or Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at (888) CRIME SC.