Jessica Cruz Charged In Death Of Newborn Son Found Dead In Store's Bathroom Garbage Can

Woman Allegedly Gave Birth To, Killed Baby In Store's Bathroom

A 19-year-old suburban Chicago woman has been charged in the death of her newborn infant son, who was found strangled to death in a Streamwood Salvation Army store's bathroom garbage can.

Jessica Cruz, of the 2000 block of Osage Lane in Hanover Park, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Streamwood Deputy Police Chief James Keegan told the Daily Herald that Cruz gave birth in the Salvation Army store's employee bathroom at 1080 S. Barrington Road Friday morning. After the child as born, she allegedly strangled him and stowed the infant in a garbage can.

The baby was found dead a few hours later that afternoon by an employee.

Police noted to the Chicago Tribune that the boy was carried to full term and was about 18 inches long. According to the Daily Herald, the baby weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces.

Cruz, who was picked up by police after a four-day investigation consisting of dozens of witness interviews, is expected to appear in bond court in Rolling Meadows later Wednesday, the Sun-Times reports.

As ABC Chicago reports, Illinois has a "safe haven" law which allows parents to give up a child within the first 30 days of life by dropping him or her off at a hospital, police or fire station without any threat of prosecution or questions asked.

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