GREELEY, Colo.—On this warm summer morning, about 10 people walk across the green grass in Babyland at Linn Grove Cemetery, to see the tiny casket, the bouquet of flowers, the stuffed toy dolphin.
To say goodbye.
No one knows the identity of the stillborn child buried here, but they came anyway to this short service, to remember the sad story of a grave that will be marked with only the words, “Baby Boy.”
The child, stillborn from a woman who was six to seven months pregnant, was found last month in a portable toilet close to the Wyoming state line. It was found about 3 p.m. June 11 near the junction of Weld County roads 126 and 21.
No mother or other relatives have been found.
On this warm summer morning, the service by Pastor Mike Williams of His Place Christian Church was short. “This is a baby, even though he was stillborn,” Williams said. “We didn’t know this baby boy, but God knows him. And somewhere there is a mother out there who needs medical help or counseling to help her through this.”
It’s quiet as Pastor Williams finishes his words. The people at graveside—social workers, sheriff’s deputies, detectives, the media—are silent for a moment, then speak only in whispers or hushed tones.
The bell tower at Linn Grove begins to play, “Jesus Loves Me.” Everyone is quiet while the words play in their hearts.
This is Babyland, a part of the cemetery dedicated to children. There are balloons on the graves here, and toy trucks and teddy bears, and photos of babies who died too young.
Just a few feet from the “Baby Boy” grave is the granite stone of David Polreis, probably the most infamous child death in Greeley history.
When he was almost 3 years old in 1996, the adopted boy was killed by his mother. The trial made national headlines because the mother said the boy had reactive attachment disorder and that he inflicted the injuries on himself. Renee Polreis was found guilty and sent to prison. She has since been released.
On this day at this new grave, the funeral was paid for by the Department of Human Services, said Rachelle Oldright, a supervisor who was at the funeral. Through the General Assistance Burial Fund, the service and casket cost $750.
The Northern Colorado Crematory handled the services and provided the bouquet of flowers.
On this warm summer morning, everyone leaves Babyland now, still speaking in low, quiet tones again walking across the green grass. Soon, the cemetery people will come and lower the tiny casket into the ground and fill the hole with dirt.
The marker, “Baby Boy,” will come later.
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Anyone with information is asked to call (970) 304-6464 or (800) 436-9276, Ext. 2861.
