A newborn infant found dead at an Illinois recycling center on July 13 has been laid to rest. According to WIFR-TV in Rockford, IL, private donations provided a cemetery plot, grave marker, casket, clothing, blanket, toys and other items for the abandon infant.
An autopsy shows the newborn, named “Baby Noah” by investigators, is a dark-haired Caucasian boy. They say he was born was full term without any obvious deformities. But whether he was stillborn or alive at birth could be the subject of months of forensic and toxicology testing, and critical to determine whether his case is ultimately a homicide or death investigation.
Workers at the Roscoe, Illinois recycling center found the body of the newborn on a conveyor belt. According to WIFR-TV, the plant is just 8 miles from Beloit and garbage from Illinois and Wisconsin are brought to the recycling center.
The Winnebago County (in Illinois) Sheriff's Department is working tirelessly on the case. Detectives are starting to track mail found next to “Baby Noah”. They say the child was probably dumped at the site about a day before he was found. Sheriff is asking people who know someone that may have been pregnant an isn't any longer to call the sheriff’s department at (815) 966-2900.
Winnebago County Coroner Sue Fiduccia tells WIFR-TV, she took imprints of “Baby Noah's” hands and feet. She set them aside to one day give the images to his relatives, people who currently have no idea they're linked to the tragedy.
Under Illinois’ Safe Haven law, newborns under 30 days old may be safely and legally abandoned with staff at any hospital emergency room, police station or fire station.
