Waukesha Man Searched for Murdered Baby in Illinois

A Waukesha man was among those searching for the remains of an infant who was apparently murdered in Illinois.

Several Wisconsin National Guardsmen searched for the child’s remains in a landfill, including Staff Sgt. Andrew Whelan, of Waukesha, according to the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs.

Zion police say 5-month-old Joshua Summeries was killed by his mother's boyfriend on Aug. 21. Demetries Thorpe, 40, reportedly confessed to killing the baby and placing his body in a backpack before discarding the backpack in a dumpster, according to WLS ABC 7 News in Chicago.

Whelan knew helping out in the search was “the right thing to do,” according to the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs.

“We all kind of looked at it like it was something we needed to do if we had the opportunity," Whelan said. "I have a son that’s 6, so it’s one of those things where, as a parent, it hit home.

"It was a despicable way for anybody not only to die, but their final resting place. I figured that if I had time to go out and spend a day trying to bring that kid home to have a proper burial then that is important, and that’s worth my time."

The search was ended, however, without Joshua’s remains being located in the landfill, according to the Daily Herald.