Clothing Worn By Baby Girl Found Dead In Markham Fire Becomes Part Of Investigation

MARKHAM, IL — The baby girl found dead in an attic while firefighters battled a fire at a vacant home in south suburban Markham earlier this week was younger than one-year-old and "cared for," Markham Police Chief Mack Sanders told Patch on Thursday while releasing photos of the style of clothing found on the baby.

Police have not been able to determine the identity of "Baby Jane Doe," the girl found dead in the attic of a vacant home in the 15400 block of Hamlin Avenue around 6:30 a.m. on Monday. The victim is believed to be between the ages of 6 months and 1 year old. An autopsy came back "inconclusive," Sanders said.

"We are looking to identify the baby so she can be given a proper funeral and so we can begin to determine if she died before or during the fire," said Sanders, who referred to the find by local firefighters as "horrific."

"We need answers," he said.

Baby Jane was found in the attic of the home, but Sanders refuted media reports that indicated she was found in a plastic bag.

"She was not in a bag," Sanders said. "She was clothed in a onesie, a leopard-style overcoat and a pamper."

The actual clothes Baby Jane was wearing at the time of the fire were "badly burnt" and will not be released to the public, Sanders said. But photographs of the same brand and style have been shared with other law enforcement agencies in hopes that someone will help identify the baby.

The victim was an African-American girl. Sanders said police in Markham and nearby have spent the last few days attempting to connect Baby Jane to missing person reports made, but they have been unsuccessful thus far.

There's no "person of interest" in the case either, according to Sanders.

"The house was vacant, so we began reaching out to the community immediately."

Police hope the clothing can help identify the victim in the fire. Agencies are asked "to check their missing juvenile reports," according to a police alert.

READ MORE: Body Of Young Girl Found In Markham Attic During Fire

Photo provided by Markham Police Department