Memorial service held for newborn found dead in New Jersey dump

FARMINGDALE, N.J. -- Affectionately named Emma Grace by members of a New Jersey church, a memorial service for an infant girl whose remains were found in a garbage dump in November took place on Saturday afternoon.

Her heartbreaking story has touched the hearts of many in the Freehold community and they say she won't soon be forgotten.

"We're just hoping to bring dignity and honor and show love to the community and to this little girl that we named Emma Grace, meaning whole, she's a whole person, and Grace, God's favor," said Rev. Thomas Detamore, Senior Pastor at Ardena Baptist Church.

While her life may have been short lived, Emma Grace's memory will live on through the members of Ardena Baptist Church.

Church members were heartbroken upon the discovery of the newborn 7lb 5oz baby girl inside a recycling dumpster in Farmingdale more than five months ago.

Without any leads or known family, Rev. Thomas Detamore and others wanted at the very least to give the infant a proper funeral and burial.

"It broke the people of these churches heart, my heart, and we just wanted to show love and care and dignity to life. All life matters in the eyes of God and that's what we want to bring to the story," Rev. Detamore said.

Meanwhile as the investigation into the infant's death continues, police released a new sketch of the mixed race little girl possibly of Hispanic origin.

Investigators say she was discovered with two blood stained blouses and a shopping bag from a store in Orange.

An FBI expert believes the child's mother tossed her in the trash and may have been trying to hide her pregnancy.

Left alone but not unloved, Rev. Detamore hopes Emma's story will inspire other struggling moms to seek help.

"And bring a message of hope to other maybe potential moms who are scared, that don't know where to go, there are safe havens. We work with Solutions Crisis Pregnancy Center that gives hope and gives medical advice and so forth to new moms that are in these situations," Rev. Detamore said.

Several hundred people are expected to attend Emma's funeral Saturday afternoon where she will also be laid to rest in the church's cemetery.

"We're expecting a lot of folks from our church, some other churches from the community, some of the local police officers from our community that said this is a great thing you're doing. And what an opportunity to do this for this young life, Emma Grace," Rev. Detamore said.

An autopsy did not determine the cause and manner of death. However, police say evidence suggests the full-term infant girl was not stillborn and breathed before she died. There is no evidence of foul play at this time, but it has not been eliminated.

A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the identity of the baby's mother. Anyone with information is asked to contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-671-4400.