Mother Charged 6 Years After Toddler Found Dead In Markham Fire

MARKHAM, IL — The mother of a 1-year-old girl whose body was found in a plastic bag after a Markham house fire in 2017 has been arrested, WGN reports.

Melody Townsend, the mother of Ana Marie Townsend, was found in California and brought back to Illinois Tuesday, according to the report. She faces charges of felony child endangerment, and concealing and aiding a fugitive. More charges could be coming, according to the report.

The toddler's body was found in the attic of the home at 155th and Hamlin in the early morning fire in July 2017. Her body was not able to be identified until two years later, with the use of DNA. The Cook County Medical Examiner's office ruled her death a homicide, detailing other physical trauma had occurred, according to the report.

Markham police at the time the toddler was found referred to her only as "Baby Jane Doe," relying on photos of clothing similar to what she was wearing to potentially identify her. They combed missing persons reports for a possible match for the toddler. Police at the time had no persons of interest related to her death.

Townsend was to appear before a judge Thursday.