The discovery of an infant’s remains buried inside a beer box at a suburban Chicago property has led to the arrest of two Illinois residents, drawing renewed attention to the handling of fetal remains and the legal frameworks governing such cases. Authorities allege that Nicole Pokrzywa, 36, of Wilmington, and William Cosmen, 38, of Manhattan, made incriminating admissions regarding the burial of a prematurely born infant whose remains investigators found in a makeshift grave.
The case has prompted a forensic review of the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death, the condition of the remains, and the actions taken by the accused following the delivery. As details emerge, officials continue to assess evidence to determine whether additional charges may arise pending the results of ongoing examinations.
The events leading to the arrests unfolded after the Will County Sheriff’s Office received information prompting investigators to search a Wilmington property. According to statements released by authorities, detectives located a shallow grave marked by a makeshift headstone. Inside the burial site, the remains of a prematurely born infant were found wrapped in a plastic bag and a green shirt, placed inside a beer box.
Law enforcement has described the circumstances conveyed by the suspects as deeply concerning, particularly regarding the manner in which the body was initially handled before being placed in the ground. While the preliminary details provided by police outline the sequence of events as reported by the suspects, the full medical evaluation of the remains is still underway to establish a clearer picture of the infant’s gestational development and the condition of the body at the time of burial.
Initial Discovery and Police Statements
According to the Will County Sheriff’s Office, Nicole Pokrzywa and Cosmen provided investigators with accounts indicating that the infant was born prematurely in a toilet. Authorities reported that William Cosmen attempted to dispose of the remains by pushing the infant’s body down the toilet drain using a plunger, but the effort was unsuccessful. Police say the pair left the body inside the toilet overnight before later removing it and placing it in plastic wrapping and a shirt prior to burial.
These statements, which investigators characterized as incriminating, were central to the charges filed against both individuals for desecration of a corpse, an offense categorized by officials as non-detainable under Illinois law. Crime scene investigators processed the site where the remains were found, documenting the burial location and recovering the beer box containing the body.
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The grave was described as shallow, and the presence of a makeshift headstone suggested an attempt to mark or conceal the site. Reports from Fox 32 Chicago highlighted the eerie nature of the discovery, noting the visible disturbance in the soil and the intentional placement of the marker. While the suspects’ statements provided a framework for understanding the timeline of events, police emphasized that the investigation remains active and that forensic analysis is necessary to clarify critical details.
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Authorities have not yet described any evidence suggesting external involvement beyond the two suspects, nor have they announced any findings regarding potential factors contributing to the premature delivery. The circumstances under which the infant was born, including whether medical care was sought or available at the time, remain part of the ongoing inquiry. The sheriff’s office indicated that further examinations will be needed before final determinations can be made.
Findings from the Coroner’s Examination
The Will County Coroner’s Office conducted an initial examination of the remains on the day following the discovery. According to officials, the infant weighed between five and seven pounds at the time of delivery, a weight range that prompted additional scrutiny due to its variance relative to typical measurements for infants born at gestational ages cited by investigators. A forensic pathologist estimated that the child was between 22 and 27 weeks along in gestational development at the time of burial. This range places the infant in a stage of extreme prematurity, typically associated with significant medical vulnerability and low survival prospects without advanced neonatal care.
Officials stressed that further testing is required due to the level of decomposition present. Decomposition can complicate determinations of cause of death, viability at birth, and any identifiable trauma. Forensic pathologists often rely on a combination of skeletal examination, tissue analysis, and environmental context to assess remains in such cases. The condition of the burial environment, the length of time the remains were underground, and the materials used to wrap or encase the body can all influence preservation and the accuracy of findings.
Authorities have not publicly speculated on whether the infant was born alive, stillborn, or had any identifiable signs of life following delivery. Such assessments are highly sensitive and require methodical analysis, especially in cases where fetal remains have been exposed to the elements or stored under unconventional conditions. The coroner’s office has not released a preliminary cause of death, and investigators noted that determining such information may take additional time.
This stage of the investigation carries potential legal implications. Should forensic results indicate additional factors relating to the infant’s death, prosecutors could evaluate whether further charges or modifications to the existing charges are warranted. At present, the only charges announced pertain to desecration of a corpse, reflecting the handling and burial of the remains rather than the circumstances of the death itself.
Legal Process and Ongoing Investigation
Following their arrests, Nicole Pokrzywa and William Cosmen were transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility, where they were processed before receiving notices to appear in court. Authorities emphasized that the offense they are charged with is non-detainable, meaning they cannot be held pending trial solely on the basis of the current charges. The notice-to-appear procedure requires the individuals to return for future court proceedings, during which the details of the case and the status of the investigation will be reviewed by a judge.
Desecration of a corpse is considered a serious offense under Illinois law, involving the treatment of human remains in a manner deemed disrespectful or improper. The statute encompasses actions such as unauthorized burial, concealment of remains, or failure to notify authorities in circumstances where a death occurs under unusual or legally reportable conditions. Cases involving fetal or infant remains often involve additional layers of complexity, particularly when they intersect with questions surrounding medical access, awareness of legal obligations, and the emotional or psychological state of individuals involved.
Investigators continue to gather information from the property, interview relevant witnesses, and compile forensic data. The timeline of the infant’s birth, the condition of the body at the time of recovery, and the statements provided by the suspects remain central components of the inquiry. Police have not indicated whether any third parties were aware of the situation prior to the discovery or whether additional evidence has been collected that could shed light on the immediate events following the delivery.
Meanwhile, the community response has been subdued but marked by concern regarding the discovery and the details released by law enforcement. Cases involving the death of infants, particularly under circumstances of premature birth and unusual burial, often draw public interest due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter and the intersection of personal tragedy with legal accountability. Officials have maintained that their focus remains on a thorough and factual examination of the evidence rather than speculation.
As the investigation proceeds, the outcome will depend heavily on the remaining forensic results and the legal evaluation of the suspects’ statements. For now, the case centers on the handling of the infant’s remains and the procedures undertaken by the defendants following the delivery. Court proceedings in the coming weeks are expected to provide additional insight into the trajectory of the case, the findings from ongoing testing, and any potential adjustments to the charges as more information becomes available.
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