Markham child death case: Mom's two-year probation sentence sparks outrage

The sentence in Ana Marie Townsend’s case has renewed calls from Chicago-area activists for answers about her death and whether anyone else may be held responsible.Markham homicide caseMelody Townsend was sentenced to 24 months of probation, according to court records. The probation term began Wednesday and is scheduled to end Oct. 24, 2028.The records list two offenses: concealing a homicidal death and endangering a child under circumstances involving death. It identifies Judge Tiana S. Blakely as the judicial officer.Ana Marie was about 1 year old when firefighters found her body in a burning, abandoned home at 15481 Hamlin St. in Markham on July 3, 2017. The Cook County medical examiner ruled her death a homicide and noted she had suffered physical trauma unrelated to the fire.For about two years, the child was known as "Baby Jane Doe." DNA testing later identified her as Ana Marie Townsend.Police announced in 2023 that Melody Townsend had been brought back to Illinois from Californ