Lake Villa woman charged in connection with death of her newborn son nearly 25 years ago
A Lake Villa woman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of her newborn son nearly 25 years ago.
Authorities on Tuesday said Jennifer Lebron, 48, was identified through genetic testing as the mother of an infant boy found Aug. 26, 2001, in a bag in a dumpster behind a grocery store on Rollins Road in Round Lake Beach.
At the time, the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force investigated and in September 2001, a different woman was charged with first-degree murder.
Investigators later determined the woman was never pregnant and not involved in the death of the infant. The case was dismissed in October 2001 and went cold, the Lake County state’s attorney and Round Lake Beach police said Tuesday in a joint news release.
Round Lake Beach investigators reopened the case in early 2024 and submitted the child’s DNA for genealogy testing.
Authorities said the testing identified a genetic match to an individual related to the infant’s father and eventually led investigators to identify the father and mother, Jennifer Lebron. The father is not suspected in the criminal activity, authorities said.
According to the release, investigators spoke with Lebron, reviewed the evidence and worked with the Lake County state’s attorney’s office, which approved two counts of involuntary manslaughter, a Class 3 felony.
She was arrested Tuesday morning on an arrest warrant and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
The infant was named “Jacob Hope” by the AMT Children of Hope Foundation. The Lake County Public Guardian assisted in the action to honor the child.
Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez said he was “extraordinarily proud” of the determination of detectives and investigators whose efforts started nearly 25 years ago.
“I was personally at the scene of this incident in 2001, and the memory of that day has remained with me throughout my career,” he said.
“Jacob Hope deserved answers, dignity and justice,” he added. “Today’s arrest represents an important step toward accountability for this innocent child, and I am grateful to everyone who persistence and collaboration made it possible.”
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said some of the officers and leaders who investigated have retired but their efforts must be acknowledged.