DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Itasca Police Chief Scott Heher announced today that Martina Morales-Nava, (d.o.b. 11/3/70) of West Filmore Street in Chicago, has been charged with one count of Obstructing Justice in connection with concealing the death of her infant child that she delivered at her place of employment on July 10, 2005.

Early Monday morning, July 11, 2005, the Itasca Police Department were notified of suspicious circumstances relating to the medical treatment of the defendant at a Chicago area hospital. The woman’s medical condition indicated that she had recently given birth. During the course of the investigation surrounding the birth, it is alleged that the defendant concealed the body of her infant in a garbage can at her place of employment at 1345 Norwood, Itasca, after having given birth to the infant in the bathroom. The investigation of this incident continues. A determination of the infant’s cause of death is pending results of pathology and toxicology tests.

Bond has not yet been set on these charges pending the defendant’s appearance in Bond Court. Obstructing Justice is a Class 4 felony with a potential sentence of one (1) to three (3) years in the Department of Corrections.

State’s Attorney Birkett stated: "If the allegations of the complaint are true, this defendant, regardless of her personal circumstances, must be held accountable for her attempts to ignore the fact that she had just given birth and the unlawful and inhumane discarding of her infant’s body. The criminal investigation into this case continues and additional charges may follow pending the receipt of the final police and medical reports."

Chief Heher echoed State’s Attorney Birkett’s comments. He also stated "I would ask that the media allow my Department to continue its investigation without any undue interference. All involved want to see that a full and fair determination of the evidence is made."

Members of the public are reminded that the complaint only charges and is not proof of a defendant’s guilt. This defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove she is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.