Police in Illinois have made two arrests following the grim discovery of a prematurely born baby's remains, which were found buried inside a beer box at a suburban Chicago property.
Arrests and Disturbing Confessions
Nicole Pokrzywa, 36, of Wilmington, and William Cosmen, 38, of Manhattan, Illinois, were taken into custody on Friday. According to the Will County Sheriff's Office, both individuals provided what were described as "incriminating statements" regarding the burial of Pokrzywa's infant.
Authorities stated that the pair told investigators the infant was born in a toilet. They alleged that Cosmen then attempted to dispose of the body by trying to force it down the toilet drain with a plunger.
When this horrifying attempt failed, the suspects claimed they left the deceased infant inside the toilet overnight. The following day, they said they removed the body, wrapped it in a plastic bag and a green shirt, and proceeded to bury it.
The Discovery of the Makeshift Grave
Detectives and crime scene investigators later located the infant's remains on a property in Wilmington. The body had been interred in a shallow hole, marked with a makeshift headstone, and placed inside a beer box.
The Will County Coroner's Office conducted an examination of the remains on Saturday, 6 December 2025. The examination revealed the infant was a female, weighing between five and seven pounds at delivery, and was between 22 and 27 weeks old at the time she was buried.
Due to the advanced level of decomposition, police confirmed that additional forensic testing would be required as part of the ongoing investigation.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Pokrzywa and Cosmen now face charges of desecration of a corpse. Following their arrest, they were transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.
Officials have classified the offense as "non-detainable," meaning the suspects were released with a notice to appear for a future court date. The investigation by the Will County Sheriff's Office continues.
