Burial of Baby Found Abandoned in Wheaton Set For This Week

WHEATON, IL - A baby girl found dead in a backpack on a private drive near Wheaton will be buried on Thursday, authorities said Monday.

Baby Hope, the name authorities gave to the currently unidentified infant, will be buried at St. Michael Cemetery, 1109 Warrenville Road, on Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. The plot where the young infant will be laid to rest has been donated by St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Wheaton, according to a sheriff's office press release.

Meanwhile, an investigation continues into the death.

The baby was found on Aug. 15 by landscapers on a private drive in the area of the 25W400 block of Plamondon Drive in unincorporated Wheaton. The baby's body was in a black Everest brand backpack. Authorities are still searching for Hope’s mother.

Last Thursday, a non-denominational, multi-faith service hosted by Rest in His Arms, and organized with the help of several local moms, was held at St. Michael’s Church to mourn Baby Hope.

The service was also meant for all those grieving their own experience of infant or child loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, infertility, failed adoption, illness or accident or any other similar instances, said Susan Walker, founder of Rest in His Arms.

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• Read more on Patch: 7 Moms Angered Over Abandoned Baby Organize Ceremony to Help Community ‘Heal’

Photo caption: St. Michael Cemetery Photo credit: GoogleMaps