A 40-year-old former Riverwoods resident has been charged in connection with the discovery of a newborn's remains in a wooded area of the village, a case that has quietly lingered since 2020 and is now back in the spotlight.
Riverwoods police say the woman, identified as Natalie E. Schram, was arrested in Washington state and charged after what they describe as a protracted, multi-year investigation that ultimately led detectives to conclude she was the mother of the infant. Schram faces several felony counts and has been released on bond while the investigation continues.
Schram was taken into custody on Dec. 3 in Bellingham, Washington, and booked into the Whatcom County Jail before posting a $250,000 cash bond and agreeing to waive extradition to Illinois, according to CBS Chicago. Riverwoods police charged her with two counts of concealment of death, one count of abuse of a corpse, and one count of failure to report the death or disappearance of a child under 13, the outlet reports. She is expected to turn herself in at the Lake County courthouse on Dec. 11 as the investigation proceeds.
How the remains were discovered
The case traces back to May 5, 2020, when a Lake County public works employee doing routine maintenance stumbled on what appeared to be human bones in a wooded area in the 1800 block of Robinwood Lane. Riverwoods police and the Lake County Coroner's Office later determined the remains were those of a newborn infant, according to local reporting at the time. That discovery set off a long-running investigation that authorities say eventually identified Schram as the person who gave birth to the infant.
Arrest in Washington and next steps
Earlier this month, Riverwoods detectives coordinated with authorities in Bellingham to serve an arrest warrant at the Washington address listed for Schram, law enforcement told reporters. She was taken into custody there and transferred to the Whatcom County Jail before being released the next day after posting bond and agreeing to waive extradition to Illinois, per CBS Chicago. With the case still active, officials have declined to release further information about the infant or the circumstances surrounding the death.
Charges and what they mean under Illinois law
Under the Illinois Criminal Code, concealment of death is a Class 4 felony that applies when someone knowingly hides a death or moves a body to delay its discovery, per the state statute. Abuse of a corpse, which can include removing or carrying away a body without authorization, is also criminalized and can be charged as a Class 4 felony in those circumstances, with other forms carrying harsher penalties, according to legal code and summaries. Failing to report the death or disappearance of a child under 13 is likewise a Class 4 felony; the statute sets a one-hour reporting window for children under 2 and requires that certain reports be made to the county where a body is found, per the Illinois code. See the Illinois General Assembly, Justia, and the Illinois General Assembly.
Riverwoods police say the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to contact Chief Bruce Dayno. According to local coverage, residents with tips can call 224-284-2332 or email [email protected]. This story will be updated as court filings and official statements become available.
