Alexis Avila, the 18-year-old New Mexico woman accused of throwing her newborn son into a dumpster and driving off last week, has been placed on house arrest and ordered to wear a GPS monitor as she awaits her day in court, court records show.
She faces charges of attempted murder and child abuse in connection with the incident, according to city police. She allegedly wrapped the baby in a blood-soaked towel and two garbage bags, then abandoned him in 36-degree weather with his umbilical cord still attached.
Hobbs police said she told them she didn’t know she was pregnant and “panicked.”
Alexis Avila, 18, allegedly abandoned her newborn baby in a dumpster.
(Hobbs Police)
NEW MEXICO TEEN MOM THROWS NEWBORN BABY IN DUMPSTER IN SHOCKING VIDEO
Avila has been out on $10,000 bond. Her bail conditions, imposed Wednesday, require her to remain at home except for some exemptions, like going to work, school or doctor appointments.
During her hearing Wednesday, Judge William Shoobridge warned her of the consequences should she violate the terms.
“If you go somewhere, I’ll be notified, and you’ll go straight to jail,” he said, according to the Lubbock, Texas-based KCBD.
More than five hours later, the cameras show a group of people fishing through the dumpster and pulling the baby out.
(Joe Imbriale/Rig Outfitters)
NEW MEXICO WOMAN DEFENDS DAUGHTER ACCUSED OF THROWING BABY IN DUMPSTER
Avila’s attorneys from the public defender’s office could not immediately be reached for comment.
Joe Imbriale, whose surveillance cameras behind his store Rig Outfitters recorded the abandonment and subsequent rescue, said he didn’t agree with the decision to release her from custody but said the judge on the case “did his job.”
“Judge followed the laws on the books,” he told Fox News Digital Friday.
Surveillance video shows a woman, later identified as Avila, pull up, throw a bag in the dumpster and drive away.
It also shows three dumpster diving good Samaritans, Michael Green, Hector Jasso and April Nuttall, arriving nearly six hours later. They heard him whimpering inside the bin, fished him out, wrapped him in a warm jacket and called 911.
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
“Their collective quick response to this emergency, including notification of 911, was absolutely pivotal in saving this baby’s life,” the city’s acting police chief, August Fons, said earlier this week.
Avila had claimed she didn’t know she was pregnant until last week.
The child’s father is believed to be a teen from Hobbs, whose identity police did not release because he is under 18.
The state’s Children, Youth and Families Department says donations for the baby boy of gift cards, toys, clothes or other items can be sent to 907 West Calle Sur in Hobbs, New Mexico.
“We are always looking for homes for children and youth that are in foster care and just very grateful for the outpouring from the community of wanting to help in any way,” Emily Martin, the head of NMCYFD’s Protective Services Division, told Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
More information about becoming a foster parent can be found on the agency’s website or by calling 1-800-432-2075, she said.
Inquiries about donations to other children under the state’s care can be made by email. The NMCYFD does not accept money or used items.
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All 50 states have “safe haven” laws that allow newborns to be dropped off without criminal penalties at designated locations. Those include fire and police departments – and in many states, also hospitals.
“If you’re struggling with a new infant, and you’re unable to take care of that baby, the best response is to find somebody that can help you at a designated safe haven,” Fons said Monday.
Avila’s baby was airlifted to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, where he was listed in stable condition.
The teen mom has pleaded not guilty, although police say she confessed to detectives when they interviewed her.
