By Kim McDarison
An estimated 60 community members gathered in Whitewater Saturday to hold a candlelight vigil to mourn the passing of a baby found dead in a field one week earlier.
According to information released by the Whitewater Police Department, the baby’s body was found behind the Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park, in the 700 block of North Tratt St., Saturday, March 4, at 11:12 a.m.
Police described the baby as “newborn.”
Police have opened an investigation into the incident and have asked anyone with information to contact them.
Those in attendance on Saturday gathered near a memorial site, marked by a wooden cross, printed with the initials “RIP.”
While offerings, such as toys and flowers were earlier placed near the memorial, some visitors to the site Saturday added similar offerings and candles before joining with others who stood in observance of the baby’s passing by candlelight.
A Fort Atkinson Online freelance photographer described the event as “very subdued.”
Lasting approximately 15 minutes, the full observance included a prayer offered by Kevin Tranel, a pastor at The Chapel in Whitewater.
The observance next offered several selections of recorded music, including an instrumental rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
The observance closed with a prayer spoken in both English and Spanish offered by Pedro Lara.
A news release from the Whitewater Police Department, requesting information from the public about the baby and the circumstances under which it was placed in the field, and sharing the department’s contact information, is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/whitewater-police-ask-public-for-information-regarding-newborn-found-dead-in-a-field-spanish-translation-included/.
Freelance photographer Tom Ganser contributed information to this story.
Photos from the observance follow.
A monument, erected in Whitewater in a field where a baby’s body was found earlier this month, continues to gather offerings such as toys, flowers and candles. The monument served Saturday as the gathering spot for mourners who held a candlelight vigil and observance for the child.
Three photos above: Mourners hold a candlelight vigil in remembrance of a baby found dead in a field in Whitewater earlier this month.
Pastor Kevin Tranel, of The Chapel in Whitewater, offers a prayer during the vigil.
Attendees arriving to participate in the vigil place offerings at a monument erected in a field where the baby’s body was found.
Pedro Lara offers a prayer spoken in both English and Spanish during a candlelight vigil held Saturday.
Tom Ganser photos.
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