An Illinois woman has been taken into custody a quarter-century after a newborn, remembered by locals as baby Jacob Hope, was found abandoned in a bag inside a dumpster located behind a grocery store.
Authorities have charged 48-year-old Jennifer Lebron with two counts of involuntary manslaughter related to the infant’s tragic end. The arrest came after investigators employed genetic genealogy, linking her to the long-unsolved case, as detailed in a joint statement from the Round Lake Beach Police Department and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“I vividly remember being present at the scene back in 2001. It has stayed with me throughout the years,” reflected Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez. “Jacob Hope deserved to be acknowledged with dignity and justice. Today’s arrest marks a significant stride towards accountability for this innocent baby, and I appreciate the relentless efforts and cooperation that made this possible.”
What Happened to Baby Jacob Hope?
On August 26, 2001, Round Lake Beach Police were summoned to a grocery store on Rollins Road, where the lifeless infant was found inside a bag in a dumpster behind the premises, according to the official statement.
The deceased baby was tenderly named “Jacob Hope” by AMT Children of Hope.
After an investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, another woman was arrested in 2001, but investigators later learned she had never been pregnant and was not involved in the baby’s death. The case was dropped in October of that year.
Investigators Arrest Baby Jacob Hope’s Alleged Mother Jennifer Lebron
For years, the case went cold until it was reopened by Round Lake Beach investigators in 2024. They submitted the baby’s DNA for genetic genealogy testing and were able to identify a relative of the infant’s biological father, authorities said.
The discovery eventually led them to the father—who is not suspected of criminal activity—and the newborn’s biological mother identified by investigators as Lebron.
After speaking with the 48-year-old, collecting additional evidence and working closely with prosecutors, Lebron was arrested on July 14, according to jail records reviewed by Oxygen.
“This cold case could not have been solved without the unbelievable work of the Round Lake Beach Police Department,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said in the statement. “Some of the officers and leaders that investigated this matter have retired. But their efforts must be acknowledged. With the painstaking investigation having been completed, we will now seek to secure justice for this child who lost his life because of the offender’s criminal actions.”
Lebron is currently being held at the Lake County Jail without bail.
It’s unclear whether she has retained an attorney.