Abandoned Baby Near Matteson Dumpster Identified

MATTESON, IL — The infant who was found strapped into a car seat and abandoned between two apartments and near a dumpster near the Old Plank Road Trail in Matteson Thursday night has been "unofficially" identified, according to a social media alert from the Village of Matteson. Family members have also been identified, the alert said, and the Department of Children and Family Services continues to investigate the case.

"The important fact right now is that the child is safe and being cared for, and the child and family members have been identified," the alert read.

Police Matteson said a woman was out walking in the 3700 block of 214th Street around 10 p.m. when she heard a baby cry and discovered the child with a soiled diaper and wet socks.

The baby — a boy between 6 and 9 months old — "appeared to be in good health," according to an alert from the Village of Matteson. But when police swept the area and spoke to nearby residents for information, no viable leads were found.

No adults were found in the area where the baby was found, which is wooded and not too far from the eastern part of the walking trail that connects Chicago Heights and Joliet. The baby, who has since been turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services, is black and has twisted-up braids.

When he was found, the baby was wearing a white T-shirt with blue sleeves and the word "HELP" printed near an image of a tentacle wrapped around a fish. He also had on blue pants with white and yellow socks and was seated in an Even Flo brand car seat. There was a baby blue blanket with the words "dream big" placed over him.

Anyone with information on the family of the baby boy should contact the Matteson Police Department and Detective/Sgt. Jeremy Sims at 708-746-5931.

We are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying/locating family of an abandoned infant. Photographs and description of child below. pic.twitter.com/zM6LvFHPi0
— Village of Matteson (@Matteson1855) September 8, 2017

Photos via Village of Matteson