No charges coming after fetus' remains found in backyard of Streamwood home
Streamwood police today said they found the remains of a first-trimester fetus buried in a makeshift grave in the backyard of a home.
Police initially said a 21-year-old woman told investigators she miscarried during an unreported episode of domestic violence, and that the baby's remains were disposed of at the Lincoln Court home a year ago. The woman accused her boyfriend, police said earlier.
Investigators, however, could not link domestic violence or other foul play to the miscarriage, and will not be pursuing charges, police said Thursday.
Deputy Chief Ed Valente said there may have been abuse against the woman around the time, but it's “very difficult” to prove it caused a first-trimester miscarriage. He said the woman's friend first reported to police that she thought the woman miscarried because of abuse.
Further interviews with “all the involved parties didn't support any allegations of domestic violence,” Valente added.
The woman “had given us information that led us in a different direction,” he said. She voluntarily changed her account of the evening of her miscarriage in spring 2014, giving police a revised statement that supported what witnesses said, Valente said.
The department's social workers will be maintaining contact with the woman.