The 18-year-old mother of a newborn has been charged with child abuse and attempted murder after leaving the infant in a dumpster.
Police in Hobbs, New Mexico — about three miles from the Texas state line — responded to a call at about 8 p.m. Friday night, and paramedics transported the baby to hospital in Lubbock, Texas.
The child is said to be in stable condition, KRQE reported.
Investigators used surveillance video from the spot to identify a suspect vehicle, then located the mother, Alexis Avila. Police said she confessed to giving birth and putting the infant in the dumpster.
New Mexico does have a Safe Haven law, which would allow a person to leave an infant up to 90 days old with hospital staff without fear of criminal prosecution, so long as the child has not been subject to abuse or neglect. It’s unclear if Avila was aware of the law. The closest hospital was about four miles from where the baby was abandoned.
Avila is due in court for arraignment on Monday.
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[Featured image: KRQE screenshot]
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