TOWN OF LOWELL —Standing beside the coffin holding the body of Baby Theresa Monday afternoon, the Rev. Timothy Bauer said it's ironic the infant who was found deceased inside a garbage bag April 29 was laid to rest one day after Mother's Day.

"I don't know who Baby Theresa's mother was, and I don't know what was going through her mind, but for whatever reason she chose not to care for the baby God gave her," said Bauer, who serves as chaplain for the Dodge County Sheriff's Department. "Instead of being wrapped in a soft comforter to stay warm, she was wrapped in a white garbage bag. Instead of being held close, she was pushed away. Instead of experiencing compassion, this little girl knew only rejection and loneliness. Instead of being taken home to live, she was tossed away to die."

Dozens of people and media representatives gathered Monday afternoon as Baby Theresa — a name police bestowed upon the newborn girl who was found deceased in woods south of the village of Theresa April 29 — was buried in Lowell Cemetery.

Bauer said many people have told him, "If only I could have had this baby, if she would have lived, I would have taken her home."

That sentiment was echoed by a number of those in attendance Monday afternoon.

Brenda Nitzke of Markesan, who is the mother of four adopted children, said she attended Baby Theresa's funeral service to convey that adoption is the best choice for biological mothers who are unable to care for their children.

"Adoption is another word for love," Nitzke said. "I feel bad the birth mom didn't have anyone to talk to . . . God has a purpose for every life, whether it's born or unborn."

Jenna Kirsling of Neenah is the mother of 6-year-old Conner, who was left by his biological mother at clinic in Neenah under the Safe Haven Law. Kirsling said she is a strong advocate of the law, which allows mothers to leave infants at medical facilities with no questions asked within three days of their birth.

"I wish (Baby Theresa's mother) would have heard me all the times I talked about the law, and other people talked about the law," Kirsling said.

Initial police reports indicated that Baby Theresa had been born within 24 hours of being found deceased by a man cutting wood.

However, Dodge County Medical Examiner PJ Schoebel said Monday he has not yet been able to determine a time frame, nor the cause of Baby Theresa's death.

"We're still running those tests and waiting for those results to come in," Schoebel said. "There's a battery of tests to run, and they take time."

Monday's funeral came in the midst of what Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls has described as a "dry spell" of tips from the public regarding the identity of Baby Theresa's mother.

"Someone has a lead or tip, and they don't think it's significant. Let us decide if it's significant. It may be that one lead; the thread that ties everything together," Nehls said.

Dodge County Sheriff's Lt. Joanne Swyers said police are still seeking information about a Dodge Shadow, possibly a 1993, metallic blue in color with a black hood, that was seen in the area where Baby Theresa was found.

A witness reported seeing two people in the vehicle, and forensic sketch artist Hannah Mueller compiled a sketch composite of the driver. It is unknown if the driver, represented in the sketch, is a male or female.

Swyers said during a press conference Wednesday that authorities are looking for the woman as far south as Chicago. They're checking with medical facilities around the region to see if the woman sought treatment.

Anyone with information about the case are asked to contact the Dodge County Sheriff's Department at 386-3726, Det. Vickie Brugger at 386-3715, or WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME.

amartin@capitalnewspapers.com