(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – A 40-year-old woman faces criminal charges nearly six years after an infant girl’s body was found in an attic during a house fire in south suburban Markham.
Markham police officials said the suspect – 40-year-old Melody Townsend of California – had, for now, been charged with child endangerment and concealing and aiding a fugitive.
The development begins to bring to a close the unsolved homicide of a baby girl identified Thursday as Baby Jane Doe, who is believed to have suffered physical trauma. On July 3, 2017, the 1-year-old's body was found in a plastic bag when firefighters responded to a fire at 15481 Hamlin.
The baby previously has been identified as Anna Marie Townsend.
“This child is not forgotten, and we’re going to do everything we can to bring justice for her,” Markham Police Chief Jack Genius told reporters at an afternoon news conference.
Authorities held off providing answers to several questions, saying the case was still active and unfolding. They said Townsend had been brought to Illinois from California on Tuesday, and additional charges were possible.
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