DuPage detectives looking for leads in ‘Baby Hope’ case

On Sunday, detectives returned to west suburban Wheaton where a baby was found dead inside a backpack in August to remind the public that they are still seeking the child’s identity.

Four detectives with the DuPage County sheriff’s office were walking the area where “Baby Hope” was found and talking to residents to see if they could learn any new information that would help the case, authorities said.

“Somebody out there knows what happened to Baby Hope and can help bring closure to her case for us,” Detective Sgt. Jeff Christiansen said.

Detectives had knocked on the doors of about 60 houses and handed out cards with information about the case that people could share on social media, Christiansen said.

Baby Hope was found Aug. 15 near a private drive off the 25W400 block of Plamondon Road in unincorporated Wheaton, according to the DuPage County sheriff’s and coroner’s offices.

Previously, the sheriff’s department announced a $5,000 reward for information that led to the baby’s parents.

The reward was being offered by the Illinois Crime Commission and Jerry Elsner. Anyone with information was asked to call sheriff’s police at (630) 407-2400 or text “274637” with the word SHERIFF and the message. Tips could be left anonymously.