UPDATED Friday, July 3, 2009 --- 2:10 p.m.

Press release from the Dodge County Medical Examiner:

The Dodge County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death of Infant Doe, “Baby Theresa” a Fetal Death. Autopsy findings indicated that “Baby Theresa” was a full term female infant, 8 pounds, 20.5 inches in length, who had suffered no trauma which would have resulted in her death. In addition, a toxicology screen was completed and was negative for any drugs in the infant’s system.

Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call P.J. Schoebel, Dodge County Medical Examiner at 920-386-3941 or by paging him thru the Dodge County Dispatch Center at 920-386-3726.

Patrick J. Schoebel
Medical Examiner

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UPDATED Monday, May 11, 2009 --- 4:30 p.m.

It was a somber day in Dodge County as a new born baby found in trash bag along the side of the road two weeks ago is laid to rest.

More than 100 people came out to honor the life of baby Theresa, a life that none of them had ever met.

"How ironic it is that this funeral is taking place the day after we honor mothers," said the Chaplin to begin the service.

On April 29, a new born baby girl was found in a trash bag in the woods in the Town of Theresa. With the parents not yet found, her funeral services were held.

Said Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls, "I think the child deserves more than an informal burial in a county cemetery without anybody there to show love, compassion and emotion for that child."

"She deserves a decent funeral," stated a tearful Todd Bodden who is the man who found the baby. Still very shaken from the image he cannot get out of his mind he had few words. But, he did credit his wife for helping him get through this difficult time.

"She's by my side," he added. When asked what he will do next, he responded, "It's in God's hands."

"It breaks my heart because I can't imagine putting her to bed at night or not giving her a hug everyday," commented Wendy Minmann. "And that poor little girl never had anyone say they love her. Give her a hug or put her to bed at night."

"That poor little kid," added Laverne Astin who began to cry as the words came out. "She didn't have a chance. I feel so sorry for her."

This is not the first time the Dodge County Sheriff's Department had to provide funeral services. But this time it is different. Not only because of the circumstances involved, but the burial plot, coffin, burial clothes, Hearst, embalment, cosmetics and headstone were all donated by the community.

And much of it came from Cornerstone Funeral Services in Beaver Dam.

"We had a child that was born on April 28," said Todd Michael of Cornerstone. "Our first son. First baby for my wife and I. Theresa was found on April 29. Only one day after our son was born. It touched us and really hit home."

The Dodge County Sheriff's Department is looking for a metallic blue Dodge Shadow that was seen in the Town of Theresa, the day the baby was found. They say the resident who saw the vehicle had never seen it before in that very rural town.

Many of the people who attended Monday's funeral couldn't believe this could happen with the Safe Haven laws that Wisconsin has enacted.

Under the Safe Haven law a baby less than three days old can be dropped off at a police station, hospital or fire station without any questions asked. The parents can remain anonymous.

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UPDATED Saturday, May 9, 2009 --- 1:25 p.m.

LOWELL, Wis. (AP) — Dodge County officials are providing a graveside service for a newborn found dead in a garbage bag in the woods.

The baby will be laid to rest on Monday afternoon at Lowell Cemetery in the Village of Lowell.

She is being called Baby Theresa, named for the town where she was found April 29. Deputies say she probably lived less than 24 hours.

County sheriff's department Chaplain Timothy Bauer will facilitate the service.

The public is welcome. Lowell is along State Highway 16/60, several miles west of State Highway 26 or midway between Watertown and Columbus.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Wednesday, May 6, 2009 --- 1:25 p.m.

From Dodge County Sheriff's Department:

Dodge County Sheriff Department has identified a vehicle of interest that was seen in the area where a deceased newborn baby was found in a garbage bag on April 29, 2009 near Lone Road in the Town of Theresa.

The vehicle of interest is a Dodge Shadow, possibly a 1993, metallic blue in color with a black hood.

Two persons were seen in this vehicle. The witness who saw the vehicle worked with Dodge County forensic sketch artist, Hannah Mueller to compile a sketch composite of the driver.

It is unknown if the driver, represented in the sketch below, is a male or female.

Lead investigator, Det. Vickie Brugger asks for the public’s assistance in identifying this vehicle and occupants.

“The persons in the vehicle are of interest because they were in the area of where the baby was found and none of the local residents were familiar with the vehicle," Brugger says. "The occupants in the vehicle could provide leads in the investigation and help identify the mother of Baby Theresa.”

Anyone with information on the identity of this vehicle or driver are asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriff Department at 920-386-3726, Det. Vickie Brugger at 920-386-3715, or WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME.

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UPDATED Monday, May 4, 2009 --- 5:30 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Investigators in southeastern Wisconsin are expanding their search for the mother of a baby found dead in the woods.

Dodge County Sheriff's Lt. Joanne Swyers says investigators are now looking for the woman as far south as Chicago. They're checking with medical facilities around the region to see if she sought help.

The sheriff's department also released a sketch of the baby Monday.

The search for the woman has been on since Wednesday, when someone found the infant girl's body in a garbage bag in woods near Theresa, not far from U.S. Highway 41.

Investigators say evidence suggests the woman had a difficult birth and may have sought medical treatment.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Monday, May 4, 2009 --- 1:25 p.m.

Press Release from Dodge County Sheriff's Department:

The Dodge County Sheriffs’ Dept Investigative Team and Dodge County Medical Examiners Office will be hosting a press conference today at 2:30 p.m. at the Dodge County Sheriffs’ Dept. The purpose of this conference is to share the current status of the investigation, provide a sketch of the infant and maps of the location the infant was found as it relates to state highways and state communities.

Synopsis: Lead Detective Vickie Brugger, reports that on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 the Department responded to Lone Road, in the Township of Theresa and confirmed that there was a new born baby abandoned in the woods inside of a garbage bag. The baby was transported to the Fond du Lac Medical Examiners Office where an autopsy was performed by Dr. Kelley on April 30, 2009.

The baby is a girl, approximately 8 lbs, full-term, and appeared very healthy. It is apparent that the biological mother sought prenatal care or took care of herself during the pregnancy. At this time, tests are still being conducted which will be used to determine the cause of death for “Baby Theresa”. Authorities have named the baby to provide her an identity, and are named after the community closest to where Teresa was found, the Village of Theresa.

Dr. Kelley has grave concerns that the mother may be in dire straights and needs immediate medical attention. As five days have passed since the birth, the mother may be susceptible to infection of she does not seek medical attention.

Authorities are working tirelessly to reunite her with her family, (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles) and provide a respectful and dignified burial.

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Posted Wednesday, April 30, 2009 --- 4:00 p.m.

A gruesome discovery has law enforcement in Dodge County asking for your help.

Lone Road, a desolate country road in the Town of Theresa isn't used to getting much traffic, or attention.

But all that changed Wednesday at about five in the afternoon.

While checking for flooding on his property the farmer who owns this land found a plastic trash bag. At first, he thought it was just some trash. But, when he opened it he found out it wasn't.

Said Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls, "He opened up the bag and looked inside and observed what appeared to be an infant child."

Deputies responded immediately and confirmed his finding. A newborn baby, less than 24 hours old was put in a bag and thrown along the side of the road. If the baby were still born, the charges are minor, including illegal disposal of a corpse. But if it can be proven that the baby was born alive, murder charges are likely.

"What type of person would do this?" asked Nehls. "Even if the child was born dead. After 30 years in law enforcement you've seen and heard it all. But, here we are again talking about something new to us.

Todd Bodden found the child on his 80 acre dairy farm. Still distraught from the event, he wished not to appear on camera

But he did said, "You hear about stuff like that but you don't expect it to happen to you. But, nothing should be shocking anymore. It has become a small world."

He went on to say, "I hope that the parents are alright, and I prays to God that they can find peace, somehow."

"We will be very aggressively pursuing this until we find the mother and get to the bottom of what occurred," concluded the Sheriff.

So hopefully things on this quiet road can get back to normal. The sheriff did say that it is uncommon that cases like this go unsolved. The autopsy reviled the child was a Caucasian female. They are not releasing any more information.

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Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2009 --- 8:50 p.m.

Press Release from Dodge County Sheriff's Department:

The Dodge County Sheriffs’ Department is currently working a death investigation involving a newborn infant. A citizen contacted the Sheriffs’ Dept at 5:00 p.m. today stating he was cutting wood in the Township of Theresa when he came across a garbage bag lying in the woods. The caller looked into the bag and observed what appeared to be an infant.

Sheriffs’ Deputies arrived and confirmed that the bag had in fact contained a deceased infant. Authorities believe the infant was born within the last 24-hours and abandoned at the location soon after birth. The Sheriffs’ Dept is working with the Dodge County Medical Examiners Officer and an autopsy will be performed tomorrow morning to determine cause of death.

At this time the Sheriffs’ Dept is asking for the public assistance in helping identify the mother of this infant. The infant was discovered in an isolated area two miles south of the Village of Theresa and just a few miles off US 41 in the Town of Theresa.(NE Dodge County) “We are looking for information from people that are familiar with others who were pregnant and close to delivery. The infant appears to have been the result of a full-term pregnancy,” stated Sheriff Todd Nehls.

No other information is available until the results of the autopsy are received. There is no information that will be released relative to cause of death, sex, or race.

Anybody with information can call the Sheriff’s Dept. at 920-386-3726 or to remain anonymous and receive cash rewards call WeTip Hot line at 1-800-78-CRIME.