Mother Arrested 5 Years After Newborn Baby's Remains Found: Riverwoods PD

RIVERWOODS, IL — An arrest has been made more than five years after a newborn baby was found dead in a wooded area in the village. Natalie E. Schram (formerly Natalie E. Borg), 40, of Bellingham, Washington, was arrested last week and charged with two counts of concealment of death, abuse of a corpse, and failure to report the death or disappearance of a child under the age of 13, all felonies.

Schram, a former Riverwoods resident, has been identified as the mother of the deceased infant. Following her arrest on Dec. 3 in Bellingham, Washington, she was taken to the Whatcom County Jail. Police said Schram was released the next day after posting a $250,000 cash bond and agreeing to waive extradition proceedings. She is scheduled to turn herself in at the Lake County courthouse on Thursday.

On May 5, 2020, Riverwoods police investigated a report of human remains, later identified as those of a newborn infant, found in a wooded area in the 1800 block of Robinwood Lane. At the time, police told Patch the discovery was made earlier that morning by a Lake County Public Works employee, who was conducting routine maintenance.

RELATED: Human Remains Found In Riverwoods — Police

Police said after a "protracted" investigation, Schram was identified as the mother of the deceased infant.

Last week, Riverwoods and Bellingham police executed an arrest warrant in Bellingham for Schram, and she was arrested.

Riverwoods police said the investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information should call or email Bruce Dayno, chief of police, at 224-284-2332 or bdayno@riverwoods.gov.