Alexis Avila: New Mexico mom FREED on bond after tossing newborn into dumpster
HOBBS, NEW MEXICO: A New Mexico mother, 18, was caught on surveillance video throwing her newborn child into a dumpster. Alexis Avila was arrested and charged with attempted murder and child abuse. Avila told police that she was unaware of her pregnancy until the day before, when she delivered her baby in a bathroom.
Avila's newborn son was found fighting for his life on Friday, January 7, in 30-degree weather. He was discovered nearly six hours after being thrown in the trash. However, less than a couple of hours after her arrest, Avila was released from jail after posting $10,000 unsecured bond. She is set to be arraigned at Lea County District Court later.
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The acting chief of Hobbs police department, August Fons, said he had never come across a case like this before. "If you are struggling with a new infant, the best response is to find somebody who can help you with that," Fons said. "Contact us, and let us help you through the situation."
Hobbs Police Department reported the incident on their Facebook page, writing, "On January 7, 2022, at approximately 8:00 PM officers with the Hobbs Police Department responded to 1400 block of N. Thorp in reference to a new born child being located in a dumpster. Upon arrival officers rendered aid to the new born child and the baby was transported to a local hospital by Hobbs EMS. The child was subsequently transported to a Lubbock Hospital for further pediatric treatment. Investigators were able to retrieve surveillance video of the incident and later located a suspect vehicle."
"Alexis Avila, 18 years old, of Hobbs was interviewed and confessed to giving birth to the child at another location and then placing the baby in the dumpster. Ms. Avila was arrested and charged with Attempt to Commit a Felony To Wit: Murder (1st degree felony) and Child Abuse. (1st degree felony)," it added. "The new born child is in stable condition at this time. Ms. Avila will await arraignment in Lea County District Court on Monday, January 10, 2022."
A surveillance video that surfaced shows a woman arriving in a white Volkswagen Jetta, stopping herar a dumpster, stepping out and tossing a black trash bag into the dumpster and then driving away. Several hours later, three dumpster divers -- Michael Green, Hector Jesso and April Meadow -- found the baby inside the dumpster, alive with the umbilical cord still attached. According to Fonns, their quick action was "'absolutely pivotal" in saving the baby's life.
Astonishing video.
— Darren Dixon (@BeaumontDMD) January 10, 2022
18 year-old Alexis Avila from New Mexico throws her newborn baby into a skip like a piece of rubbish!
Thankfully, 6 hours later a couple heard the baby crying and came to the rescue pic.twitter.com/DyGYYyG7d5
The dumpster divers kept the baby warm until help arrived. Doctors found that the baby's body temperate was so low that it did not register, which indicated hypothermia. Doctors gave him a blood transfusion and put him on a feeding tube and oxygen.
Avila later confessed to the crime, telling cops that she had broken up with the baby's alleged father in August 2021. She said that she 'panicked' after giving birth to the baby in a bathroom at her parents' home. She subsequently wrapped the baby in a towel, place him in a plastic bag and threw him in the dumpster at the Broadmoor Shopping Center.