An 18-year-old woman is behind bars after police said she gave birth and then placed the moments-old baby in the trash.
Police said that Estela Ruiz-Gomez gave birth in the bathroom at the restaurant where she worked, WHNS reported.
Ruiz-Gomez took a break from busing tables, saying she had a stomach ache. Her mother, Lorenza Gomez Rodriguez, who also worked at the restaurant, went to check on her daughter. She came out saying that Gomez-Rodriguez needed to go to the hospital, WHNS reported.
Police said that another employee was emptying the trash and taking it across the parking lot when it ripped open. The newborn fell out. The baby’s father, who also was at the restaurant grabbed the baby and brought the boy inside.
The baby was rushed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, WHNS reported.
The baby’s death was ruled a homicide since he wouldn’t have survived being put in the garbage, police said.
Ruiz-Gomez was charged with homicide by child neglect. Rodriguez was charged with aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse.
Homeland Security is also investigating both Ruiz-Gomez and Rodriguez. Government officials said that Ruiz-Gomez was told to leave the U.S. in 2016, but did not, WHNS reported.
About the Author
