Woman charged in 2001 death of infant son released from custody

A Lake Villa woman charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of her infant son 25 years ago was released from custody following a brief hearing Wednesday before a Lake County judge.

Lake County prosecutors did not seek detention for Jennifer Lebron, identified through genetic testing as the mother of a baby who came to be known as “Jacob Hope.” His body was found Aug. 26, 2001, in a bag in a dumpster behind a Round Lake Beach grocery store.

“For whatever reason, the state is not filing a petition to detain,” noted Lake County Judge Rhonda K. Bruno, who imposed a curfew upon Lebron and prohibited her from using drugs or alcohol while awaiting trial.

A spokeswoman for the Lake County State’ Attorney’ Office later said the office does not believe Lebron currently poses a threat to the community.

“Under the law, the purpose of pretrial detention is to protect the community from those who pose a danger to others,” Sara Avalos via email. “In the United States, we do not impose punishment before trial. Our office remains committed to holding the defendant accountable through the judicial process and through any sentence imposed after a finding of guilt.”

Another woman was charged with first-degree murder shortly after the baby was discovered, but those charges were dismissed in October 2001 and the case went cold, according to Lake County authorities.

Round Lake Beach police reopened the case in early 2024 and submitted Jacob’s DNA for testing. The results led investigators to Lebron and the baby’s father, who authorities said is not suspected of wrongdoing.

Lebron is scheduled to return to court Aug. 12.