New Mexico woman convicted of leaving newborn child in dumpster in freezing weather
04/17/2023 11:34 am PDT
HOBBS, N.M. (TCD) -- A jury recently convicted a 19-year-old woman on a charge of attempted murder for throwing her newborn son in a dumpster shortly after giving birth in a bathroom.
On Jan. 7, 2022, dumpster divers found a crying baby and reported it to the Hobbs Police Department. Officers responded to the report on the 1400 block of North Thorp, where they found the newborn boy suffering from hypothermia. He was transported to the hospital, where he was given a blood transfusion, put on a feeding tube, and provided with oxygen.
Alexis Avila reportedly learned she was pregnant on Jan. 6 and gave birth the following day in her bathroom. According to the Fifth Judicial District Attorney, Avila then "wrapped her newborn child in multiple plastic bags filled with trash before driving him behind the Broadmoor mall," and she was later caught on surveillance video "throwing him into a dumpster."
The baby was reportedly found over five hours later in "freezing cold conditions."
The District Attorney’s Office said efforts to save the child were "successful despite the serious injuries inflicted by Avila."
Avila was initially arrested on charges of attempt to commit a felony to wit: murder and child abuse.
On April 14, the District Attorney’s Office announced Avila was found guilty on charges of attempted first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in great bodily harm.
In a statement, District Attorney Dianne Luce said, "We are thankful that this jury honored the precious life of this baby boy and rejected the defendant’s self-serving excuses for this crime."
Luce continued, "This verdict proves that children are entitled to the full protection of the law and that wrongdoers who hurt children in New Mexico will be prosecuted vigorously."
Attorney General Raúl Torrez added, "We were astounded to watch the defendant, during her testimony, show no remorse for the harm she caused her newborn baby when she threw him in the dumpster. Thank you to the jury that helped deliver justice to this child."
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