A New Mexico woman was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in great bodily harm Friday, charges that stem from an incident where a newborn was found in a dumpster.
Alexis Avila, 19, gave birth to a baby boy on January 7, 2022. Just hours later, she wrappd the child in several plastic bags filled with garbage, then drove him to a dumpster behind the Broadmoor Mall in Hobbs and threw him in.
The baby was recovered alive after having laid in the dumpster in the freezing cold for over five hours by two men and a woman who were looking through the bin.
A security camera recorded the entire incident, leading to Avila’s arrest.
Avila told police she was unaware she was pregnant until the day before her son was born.
“I went to the restroom and it came out. I was in a panic and didn't know what to do. I was scared. I was so scared my mom was going to hate me,” Avila told police in an interview.
After an examination at a Lubbock, Tex., hospital, the baby was placed into the care of the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families.
“My Office is proud to have worked on this trial with District Attorney Dianna Luce,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “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.”
Avila’s sentencing hearing is set for May 1.
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