Five years later, woman linked to newborn found dead in suitcase faces criminal charges.
A woman faces multiple criminal charges after being linked to the death of a newborn infant discovered inside a suitcase in suburban northern Illinois five years prior.
Riverwoods, Illinois police allege that Natalie Schram delivered the baby in May 2020, according to ABC7 Chicago. It is suspected that she subsequently placed the deceased infant's remains into a piece of luggage and left it in a forested location.
Schram, 40, was apprehended in early December in Washington State and subsequently charged for her role in the offense. She secured her release on Thursday, December 4, after posting a $250,000 cash bond, as reported by News Nation.
Following her release, Schram – previously identified as Natalie Borg – consented to forgo extradition formalities. She attended a court appearance on Thursday, December 11, and entered a not guilty plea regarding the accusations, based on WGN News reporting.
At present, she faces multiple Class 4 felony counts, such as two counts of concealing a death, abuse of a corpse, and neglecting to report the death or disappearance of a child under 13. A conviction on any of these charges could result in a prison sentence ranging from one to three years.
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Seasoned Riverwoods detective David Martinovich informed WGN News that additional charges might potentially be filed, stating, “depending on where the investigation takes us.” He added, “The process isn't complete yet. I remain optimistic that we will receive calls from individuals … who can provide vital information to expand the charges and potentially identify other suspects.”
Schram and her spouse refused to make a statement to the press as they exited the Lake County Courthouse after the December 11 hearing.
Following the discovery of the infant's body, an inquiry began, confirming the remains were those of a newborn baby. A thorough investigation ultimately linked Schram to the offense. Authorities traced her location to Washington state, where she had moved subsequent to the alleged incident.
Martinovich reflected on the details of the case during an interview with WGN-TV, describing it as a “challenging investigation.”
He noted that employees from the Lake County Water Department initially found the baby's body while inspecting sewer lines for obstructions.
“They located a package, a suitcase, on private property and noticed a garment protruding from it,” Martinovich detailed. “Upon opening the luggage, they observed skeletal remains inside. They contacted their supervisor, who then alerted us.”
Martinovich further explained that authorities were initially unable to ascertain the infant's sex, cause of death, or identify suspects using DNA evidence at the time of the find.
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“We conducted extensive forensic analysis, primarily with support from the FBI Quantico laboratory,” Martinovich stated. “They successfully generated a profile, which enabled us to proceed with significantly more investigative work.”
The inquiry continues at this time. Law enforcement requests that anyone possessing further details contact (224) 284-2332.
