Woman Arrested for Baby Dumping in California
- A woman has been arrested in Riverside, California, for allegedly leaving a deceased newborn baby in a dumpster nearly 37 years ago.
- The case had remained unsolved until recent developments led to her apprehension.
- This tragic event highlights the ongoing societal issues surrounding infant abandonment.
In a significant development in a nearly four-decade-old cold case, Melissa Jean Allen Avila, 55, was arrested on Friday in connection with the death of her newborn daughter, whose body was discovered in a dumpster in Riverside, California, in October 1987. Avila, then 19, faces a murder charge and is currently held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on a $1.1 million bail, according to the Riverside Police Department. The tragic discovery was made by a man searching for recyclables, leading to an investigation that ultimately ruled the infant's death a homicide. Despite extensive efforts by homicide detectives, the case went cold for many years without identifying a suspect. However, in 2020, the investigation was reopened, and DNA evidence linked Avila to the crime as the child's mother. Following the identification, authorities located Avila living in Shelby, North Carolina, where she was taken into custody and subsequently extradited to California. Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez expressed gratitude for the investigative team's persistence, stating that the case's resolution brings closure to the victim and her family. Avila is scheduled for arraignment on September 9, as the Riverside Police Department reaffirms its commitment to seeking justice for homicide victims and their families. The case highlights the importance of advancements in forensic science in solving long-standing mysteries.