Cremated Remains Case Solved, Baby's Ashes Returned

ELMHURST, IL — A man has been arrested in the burglary of an Elmhurst house where the cremated remains of a family member were stolen, police said Wednesday. Elmhurst detectives working on the case said they have recovered items stolen in the burglary, including the cremated remains, according to a post on the police department's Facebook page. "We are hopeful that reuniting the remains with the family will bring them closure and peace," the department said.

Formal charges against the suspect are expected to be announced soon. The burglary took place Dec. 10 in the 200 block of Melrose Avenue. In a news release last week, police said someone broke into the house and removed collector coins and the cremated remains. The suspect entered the house between 8 a.m. and 3:40 p.m., police said.

The LeDeur family in Elmhurst said the cremated remains were of their son, Billy, who died when he was 10 days old, according to ABC7 Chicago.

"His ashes and the small memorial, that's all we have," Sue LeDeur told the station.