Baby girl found dead in Prospect Heights ID'd

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Ill. (WLS) -- State child welfare officials are investigating allegations of abuse and neglect after a 1-month old girl was found dead Thursday in her northwest suburban home.

Annabella Cochrane was found unresponsive at her home in the 800 block of East Old Willow Road in Prospect Heights, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said. She was pronounced dead there at 10:15 a.m.

An autopsy Friday was inconclusive pending further studies, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

The Department of Children and Family Services is investigating allegations of abuse and neglect against both of the girl's biological parents, spokeswoman Veronica Resa said.

Another child in the home has been sent to live with relatives under a DCFS-monitored safety plan, she said.

The agency previously had contact with the family in May for a case that was ultimately deemed unfounded, Resa said. DCFS also had contact with the family in another case in June, which is still pending, she said.

"There was no pulse, nothing from the child. And subsequently, the emergency room doctor pronounced the child dead," said Chief Jamie Dunne, Prospect Heights Police Department.

On Thursday night, forensics investigators combed the ground-floor condo unit in the community of young families.

"It's really sad. It's a really sad thing because she was little. Little baby. A newborn," said Karen Zarate, neighbor.

Police say they got the call around 10. a.m. Thursday of a report of an infant not breathing. The baby girl was one day shy of a month old.

"It's a baby. She didn't get a chance to see the world. She didn't get a chance to experience anything," said Monica Alvarez, neighbor.

A family friend says the mother lives in the condo with her 9-year-old son and her boyfriend, who is the baby's father. Police said the infant's parents have been cooperating with investigators. The case is classified as a death investigation.

"Nothing was apparent, which is why with no obvious cause of death, and we don't have answers, which is why we're going to take it to the next level and thoroughly investigate," said Chief Dunne.

Multiple neighbors told Eyewitness News they've overheard on various occasions very loud arguments in the unit. Police say they have been called to the residence in the past but declined to offer details.

"It's just heartbreaking. It's very emotional. You know, she was a little baby," said Alvarez.

Investigators from the Northwest Suburban Major Case Assistance Team descended upon the sprawling Willow Heights condo complex. They searched the two-bedroom unit and various common areas in the building, including a room where surveillance images are stored.

"This is a very nice community. We have multi-culture. It's a very quiet neighborhood. And this is very out of the norm for this community," said Larry Bennett, Willow Heights property manager.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.