Woman Charged 25 Years After Baby Jacob Hope Found Dead in Dumpster Behind Grocery Store

An Illinois woman has been arrested 25 years after a newborn baby—known to the community as baby Jacob Hope—was discovered in a bag and tossed into a dumpster behind a grocery store.  Jennifer Lebron, 48, is now facing two counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the infant’s death after investigators used genetic genealogy to identify her as a suspect, according to a joint statement from the Round Lake Beach Police Department and Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. “I was personally at the scene of this incident in 2001, and the memory of that day has remained with me throughout my career,” Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez remarked. “Jacob Hope deserved answers, dignity, and justice. Today’s arrest represents an important step toward accountability for this innocent child, and I’m grateful to everyone whose persistence and collaboration made it possible.”  What Happened to Baby Jacob Hope?  Round Lake Beach Police officers were called to the scene of a grocery store on Rollins Road on August 26, 2001 after the newborn was found dead inside a bag in a dumpster behind the store, according to the statement. The baby was named “Jacob Hope” by AMT Children of Hope. After an investigation
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