An Illinois couple has been arrested after authorities say they attempted to flush a newborn down a toilet before later burying the infant in a beer box.
According to a press release from the Will County Sheriff’s Office, 36-year-old Nicole Pokrzywa and 38-year-old William Cosmen were taken into custody in connection with the discovery of an infant girl’s remains.
Deputies responded to a report of a “possible buried infant” in Wilmington, Ill., where they allegedly uncovered the baby’s body wrapped in plastic and cloth, placed inside an Old Style beer box and buried roughly 36 inches below ground.
Investigators say Pokrzywa gave birth to the child in October 2024.
Both Pokrzywa and Cosmen allegedly told authorities that the baby was delivered in a toilet and that Cosmen tried to push the body down the drain using a plunger, according to the sheriff’s office.
When the infant’s body would not fit, it was allegedly left in the toilet overnight, police said. The pair then reportedly wrapped the child in a shirt and plastic before transporting the remains to a property where a burial hole was dug.
“Nicole and William stated that a hole was dug that was approximately three feet wide by four foot deep, and the remains were placed in the hole,” the sheriff’s office said.
A forensic pathologist later determined that the infant was between 22 and 27 weeks old at the time of death.
At the time of the birth, Cosmen allegedly estimated that the baby weighed between 5 and 7 pounds, according to the sheriff’s office.
Pokrzywa and Cosmen have been charged with desecration of a corpse, and authorities say additional charges may be considered once further testing on the remains is completed.
It has not yet been made public whether either defendant has entered a plea. Police have also not confirmed whether Cosmen is the biological father of the child.
