Five Months Later, Baby Girl Found At Farmingdale Recycling Plant Will Be Laid To Rest

Five months ago, the body of an infant was found amid the recyclables at a recycling plant in Farmingdale.

On Saturday, the 1-day-old baby girl will receive a proper burial, thanks to the members of the Ardena Baptist Church,

The baby’s body was found Nov. 11 by workers at the ReCommunity Recycling facility. Two shirts with blood on them were found nearby. But the identity of the baby’s mother remains unknown. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office had no new information to offer this week.

The discovery of the baby’s body shocked the community. According to a report in the Asbury Park Press, a resident named Linda Owens was so affected by the tragedy that she reached out Pastor Tom Detamore of the Ardena Baptist Church.

Owens, a foster mom with four adopted children, approached Detamore about the possibility of burying the unnamed baby, the report said.

Wanting to honor and value the baby’s life, Owens and Detamore named the girl Emma Grace. The church then contacted authorities about the desire to bury the baby, and that request was approved. When her body was released to the church, there was an outpouring of effort from the congregation; church members and Clayton & McFirr Funeral Home stepped in to plan the funeral and memorial service.

“God can use tragedy to bring about good things,” Detamore said. “We’re seeing this in our community.”

Emma Grace, who was estimated to be a day old, was 21.5 inches long and weighed 7 pounds, 5 ounces, according to authorities. Detamore said he hopes the tragedy will help serve as a reminder that there are resources out there for women who are pregnant and unsure what to do.

“There are Christian groups, such as the Solutions Pregnancy & Health Centers,” Detamore said, “that can give mothers of unexpected pregnancies help with medical needs and placement. Every life deserves a chance.”

Despite the tragic events, Detamore is thankful for the congregation coming together to lay Emma Grace to rest.

The memorial service will take place at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ardena Baptist Church, 593 Adelphia Road, Freehold. The church asks that people make donations to Solutions Pregnancy & Health Centers.

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