Police investigate 'suspicious death of baby' in Dolton

DOLTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Authorities are investigating after a baby was found dead Wednesday afternoon at a home in south suburban Dolton.

"I can confirm we are investigating the suspicious death of a baby," Dolton Police Chief Robert Collins said.

The heartbreaking discovery made at the home near 157th and Drexel left neighbors with unanswered questions.

"Why? Why? What could have possibly happened?" asked Ed Crayton, neighbor.

Dolton police said they were called Wednesday afternoon after the homeowner detected a foul odor in an unlocked storage area attached to the house. Police said the infant's body was found in a disposable bag.

The baby, whose age and gender are unknown, may have been there for as long as a week.

"There's decomposition. We can't tell exactly what condition that the baby was in prior to death," said Chief Robert M. Collins, Jr., Dolton Police Department.

"It breaks my heart. We love children. This is a neighborhood that embraces children," Crayton said.

Police are interviewing the homeowner, family and neighbors, and searching the surrounding area which includes an adjacent park.

Police said the baby's DNA will be run through law enforcement databases.

"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," Collins said.

Police are also reminding people about the Illinois Safe Haven Law, which allows for unharmed babies up to 30 days old to be handed over, no questions asked, at police and fire stations as well as other safe haven locations.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.