Funeral services set for Baby Hope
Baby Hope will be laid to rest next week, more than a month after she was found dead along a private drive near Wheaton.
DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said the burial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at St. Michael Cemetery, 1109 Warrenville Road, Wheaton. The cemetery is about a half-mile from the wooded area off Plamondon Road where the infant girl was found Aug. 15.
Jorgensen said it was unfortunate Baby Hope couldn't be buried sooner, but "the difficulties of this case" delayed it as the investigation into her death continues.
The coroner's office, he said, has completed its physical examination of Baby Hope's body and is prepared to release her remains.
He said he does not have any updates about the cause or manner of her death. An autopsy was performed the day after Baby Hope was found, but Jorgensen said at that time it could be "days or weeks" before the cause of death was known, as pathologists continued to investigate.
Many residents reached out to the coroner's office offering to pay for Baby Hope's burial services. Among them was Rest In His Arms, a group that is holding a prayer service Thursday at St. Michael Church to remember Baby Hope and other children who have died.
Jorgensen said a burial plot and headstone were donated and other funeral costs are being covered by private gifts.
"I'm very happy we're able to bury her and put her to rest," he said.