New Mexico woman arrested for allegedly leaving newborn in dumpster after giving birth

HOBBS, N.M. (TCD) -- An 18-year-old woman was arrested last week for allegedly leaving her newborn son in a dumpster after giving birth in a bathroom.

According to a news release from the Hobbs Police Department, on Jan. 7, officers responded to the 1400 block of North Thorp at approximately 8 p.m. to a report of an abandoned newborn child in a dumpster. KRQE-TV reports that dumpster divers initially discovered the baby after hearing his cries.

At the scene, officers reportedly found and transported the child to a hospital for treatment. According to KRQE, the infant suffered from hypothermia and was given a blood transfusion, put on a feeding tube, and provided with oxygen.

Police say that investigators recovered surveillance video of the incident. Upon further review of the video, KRQE says police learned that the baby had been dumped approximately 5 1/2 hours earlier. Alexis Avila, the suspect, was reportedly located and interviewed. According to police, she eventually confessed to "giving birth to the child at another location and then placing the baby in the dumpster."

KRQE reports that Avila didn’t know she was pregnant until last Thursday after visiting a doctor for stomach pain. Avila reportedly gave birth the next day in her bathroom. According to KRQE, Avila panicked and wrapped her newborn son in a towel, put him in a trash bag, and left him at a dumpster at the Broadmoor Shopping Center.

Avila was arrested and charged with attempt to commit a felony to wit: murder and child abuse. Her arraignment was scheduled for Monday, Jan. 10.

As of Sunday, Jan. 9, the child was in stable condition.

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