Mother Arrested for Murder of Newborn 37 Years After Baby Was Found Dead in California Dumpster!
A shocking cold case that remained unsolved for nearly four decades has finally reached a breakthrough. A woman has been arrested for the murder of her newborn baby, found dead 37 years ago in a dumpster in Riverside, California.
The tragic discovery dates back to October 13, 1987, when a man searching for recyclables behind a business made the horrifying find—a lifeless newborn baby girl discarded in a dumpster.
Riverside police immediately launched an investigation, and it was determined that the baby had been born just hours before being abandoned. The baby girl’s death was ruled a homicide, but despite the efforts of law enforcement, the case went cold for decades, leaving the community without answers.
In 2020, a glimmer of hope emerged when Riverside police decided to reopen the case, hoping that advances in DNA technology could finally provide the long-awaited answers.
The investigators partnered with Othram Labs, a company known for using cutting-edge DNA analysis to solve cold cases. In 2021, forensic evidence from the original investigation was submitted to Othram, and the lab’s scientists worked meticulously to build a DNA profile for the unidentified baby girl.
The breakthrough came through the use of forensic genetic genealogy, a relatively new investigative technique that involves comparing unknown DNA to samples voluntarily submitted by family members to genealogical databases. This method has revolutionized cold case investigations, leading to the identification of suspects in numerous cases across the country.
In this case, the forensic genetic genealogy investigation led authorities to potential relatives of the deceased baby. After years of uncertainty, police were able to identify a suspect: 55-year-old Melissa Jean Allen Avila. At the time of the baby’s death, Avila was just 19 years old.
Authorities arrested Avila in North Carolina and subsequently extradited her to Riverside County, California, where she now faces charges of first-degree murder. Her arrest on August 5 marks the end of a nearly 40-year search for justice. Avila’s arraignment is scheduled for September 9.
While the motive for the tragic crime remains unknown, Riverside police have stated that there is no evidence to suggest that the baby’s father had any involvement or criminal responsibility in the murder. The arrest brings some closure to a case that has haunted the Riverside community for decades.
This case also serves as a reminder of the importance of California’s Safe Arms for Newborns law, which was enacted in 2001. Under this law, parents can safely surrender a baby who is 3 days old or younger at designated locations such as fire stations or hospital emergency rooms.
As long as the baby has not been abused or neglected, the person surrendering the child can do so without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment. This law aims to prevent tragedies like the one that occurred 37 years ago, offering a safe and legal alternative for parents in crisis.
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The story of the newborn found in a dumpster in Riverside is one of heartbreak and loss, but the recent arrest offers a measure of justice for a life that was tragically cut short. As the case moves forward, it underscores the power of modern DNA technology and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to bring closure to cold cases, no matter how much time has passed.