$, Bond Shocker: Woman Linked to Suitcase Baby Death Walks Free
In a case that has horrified the Chicago suburbs for five long years, police have finally made an arrest in the chilling mystery of a deceased newborn baby found abandoned in a suitcase in Riverwoods, Illinois. But the relief is short-lived: the woman accused of abandoning the body, Natalie Schram, , is already walking free after posting a massive $, cash bond.
Schram, who was tracked down and arrested in Washington State, appeared in court on Thursday, December , and entered a cold, hard not guilty plea to the charges. Police allege that Schram (formerly known as Natalie Borg) gave birth in May , and shortly after, placed the deceased infant’s body inside a suitcase and dumped it in a wooded area.
The severity of the crime is undeniable, yet Schram is currently only facing Class felony charges, including two counts of concealment of death, abuse of corpse, and failure to report the death or disappearance of a child under years of age. If convicted on these counts, she faces a paltry sentence of one to three years in prison per charge—a shockingly light penalty for the abandonment of a dead baby.
️️ The Trail of Evidence: FBI Forensics and a Difficult Investigation
The arrest comes after a massive, multi-year investigation that initially hit dead ends. Veteran Riverwoods detective David Martinovich described the case as a “difficult investigation,” recounting the horrifying discovery made by Lake County Water Department workers checking sewer lines for blockages in .
“They discovered a package, a suitcase, on the residential property and saw a piece of clothing hanging out of it,” Martinovich explained. When they opened the suitcase, the workers were met with a gruesome scene: “they saw there were bones in there. They called their boss, and their boss called us.”
Initially, investigators couldn’t determine the baby’s gender, cause of death, or identity due to the decomposition. The case broke open only after tireless forensic work, including heavy assistance from the FBI Quantico lab. “They were able to develop a profile and from that, we did a lot more investigative work,” Martinovich confirmed, eventually leading them to Schram, who had conveniently relocated to Washington State after the alleged crime.
Silent Exit: Schram and Husband Refuse to Comment on Charges
The lack of remorse was palpable outside the Lake County Courthouse. Following the hearing on December , Schram and her husband made a silent, hurried exit, refusing to share a comment with the media. This wall of silence only fuels the public’s outrage and the investigators’ suspicion.
The question remains: Why did she allegedly commit these horrific acts, and how did she manage to keep the secret for so long? Schram’s swift release on bond—after waiving extradition—suggests she is eager to fight these charges, but her refusal to address the public drama surrounding the death of a newborn baby speaks volumes about her priorities.
“This is gut-wrenching. That baby deserves justice. The fact that the mother is already out on bail after leaving a newborn’s body in a suitcase is an absolute travesty of the justice system. The police need to find more charges.” – @CrimeWatcherIL
Seeking More Charges: Detectives Aggressively Pursuing Other Suspects
The Riverwoods police are not done yet. Detective Martinovich was aggressive in his public statement, warning that “other charges could potentially be added, depending on where the investigation leads us.” This is a clear signal that the initial, relatively light concealment and abuse of corpse charges are just the beginning.
Even more explosively, Martinovich directly asked for public assistance, hoping for calls that “could provide much-needed information to add more charges and potentially other suspects.” This suggests investigators believe Schram may not have acted alone, or that the cause of the baby’s death may lead to a much more severe charge, like manslaughter or even murder.
The investigation is now focused on the crucial information that could elevate the felony charges. The difference between – years in prison for concealment and a decades-long sentence for homicide is massive, and police are clearly pushing for the latter. The pressure is on Schram to cooperate, or risk the relentless investigation uncovering a deadly secret that’s far worse than simple abandonment.
The Lingering Mystery: Cause of Death and the Hidden Truth
While Schram has been identified as the person who allegedly gave birth to and then concealed the baby, the original investigation was unable to determine the baby’s gender or, critically, the cause of death at the time of discovery. This detail is paramount. If investigators can prove the infant was alive when abandoned, or died due to neglect, the charges against Schram will immediately escalate into the most serious category.
The public is left reeling by the image of a mother abandoning her dead child in a suitcase. Schram, now free on a quarter-million-dollar bond, is facing a ticking clock. Will the ongoing forensic and investigative work finally uncover the true, horrific reason the newborn ended up dead in a piece of luggage five years ago? The community—and Detective Martinovich—are waiting for that one crucial tip to finally bring true justice to this innocent infant.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to call the Jefferson County Sheriff in Kentucky at () -.
