Chicago Ridge Police: Deceased newborn found in trash

CHICAGO RIDGE (WITI) -- Chicago Ridge Police are seeking a suspect after the body of a deceased newborn was discovered during routine separation of garbage and recycling on Wednesday, May 1st.

Police say an investigation has narrowed down the locations of the garbage pickup to the areas of:

Pleasant Prairie, WI
North Chicago, IL
Waukegan, IL

Police say the baby's body was discovered around 4:00 a.m. -- and the body was reportedly discarded inside a small, red cooler, wrapped inside a blue towel.

"I think there's something very wrong with the person who did that," said Pleasant Prairie resident Timothy Tolbert.

Officials say the garbage loads were picked up, and then transferred to Kenosha on April 29th. They were then loaded into a trailer and taken to the Chicago Ridge sorting facility.

The Cook County Medical Examiner says the child was born within seven days of being found -- at less than full term, but viable if medical attention was provided.

Pleasant Prairie Police Chief David Smetana says the situation is senseless.

"We've got a law in the state of Wisconsin that any parent can turn their child over to any safe harbor without any questions asked," said Smetana.

DNA samples are being sent to the Illinois State Police labs for further analysis.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago Ridge Police Department at (708) 425-7831.