“Person of Interest” Questioned in Newborn's Death

Dead baby was found in garbage can in bathroom of Salvation Army store last week

A "person of interest" was taken into custody early Tuesday in connection with the death of a newborn baby boy found strangled in a garbage can in the northwest suburbs.

The person is believed to be related to the incident itself, according to police, who were questioning the person early Tuesday afternoon.

The infant boy, who appeared to be full-term, was found in the trash receptacle of a public washroom in the 1000 block of South Barrington Road on Friday. An autopsy a day later found the boy had been strangled and the death was ruled a homicide.

Police would not specify if the person of interest is the mother. The investigation is ongoing.

A composite sketch of the mother was released Saturday. Police believe the mother gave birth between 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. in the store's washroom and may have come in with another woman and child.

She was described as a Hispanic female between 15 and 25 years old. She stood between 5 feet and 5 feet, 4 inches tall and had long dark hair, police said. She was last seen wearing a purple hooded sweatshirt and a lime green coat.

Anyone with information should call police at 630-736-3700 or the Crime Tip Line at 630-736-3719.

Under Illinois' Safe Haven Law, mothers can leave newborn babies that are 30 days old or younger at any Illinois police station, fire house or hospital without any questions.
 

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