Infant's decomposing body found in Dolton shed

FOX 32 NEWS - The body of an infant was discovered in south suburban Dolton Wednesday afternoon.

The police chief is urging the public that if you know something, say something.

Dolton police say it was a startling discovery made by a woman in a home near 157th and Drexel.

“The homeowner had detected a foul odor coming from the shed that's attached to the house. When they decided to clean out the shed, that's when the suspicious package was found,” said Dolton Police Chief Robert Collins Junior.

Inside a plastic bag in a shed was a child, no longer alive.

"When she opened the bag, she discovered that it was a decomposing body of what appeared to be an infant,” said Chief Collins.

The body, so badly decomposed in fact, that Chief Collins says the child’s age and sex are unknown.  Police hope the medical examiner can determine both. Police say it’s also unclear what condition the child was in prior to death, and they haven’t ruled out anyone, including the family who discovered the body.  Neighbors are praying for answers.

"The fact that just knowing that it's something like that, a baby going through something like this is just sad, it's heartbreaking honestly,” said neighbor Sierra McDaniels.

Police will be using DNA samples from the infant to try to find the parents.

"But we would also encourage anyone that has any information about a missing baby or know a person that had a baby, but does not have the baby anymore, to please give Dolton Police Department a telephone call,” said Chief Collins.

In Illinois, there are no questions asked for babies abandoned at a fire station or police station.  In this case, the parents, if found, will likely face criminal charges.

The infant’s body was taken to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, and an autopsy was expected Thursday.