Anderson County Authorities Still Seeking Identity of “Baby Doe” Found in Melton Lake

Anderson County, TN – More than four years after the discovery of a newborn’s body in Melton Lake, investigators are still searching for answers about the child known only as “Baby Doe” or “Wyatt.”

On March 26, 2020, two fishermen discovered the infant’s body in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The baby boy, later nicknamed Wyatt, measured 20 inches in length and weighed seven pounds. His umbilical cord was still attached, and he showed signs of birth-related trauma on the right side of his head. The child, who had black hair and a recognizable face at the time of discovery, was found with a shirt wrapped around his head.

Authorities determined that the cause of death was drowning. Despite ongoing efforts, the boy’s true identity remains unknown.

New information released on March 27, 2025, revealed that DNA submitted to Othram Labs in 2021 indicated the child was of 89 percent African ancestry. Investigators hope this detail may help someone come forward with information.

The circumstances of Wyatt’s birth, death, and how he came to be in the lake remain a mystery.

Anyone with information that could assist in identifying Baby Doe is urged to contact the Oak Ridge Police Department at (865) 425-4399.