A Nevada mother faces multiple criminal charges, including attempted murder and child abuse. The woman reportedly gave birth in the middle of the night and instead of taking the baby to a hospital, police say she put it in a garbage bag, and placed it in a dumpster. Hours later, a good Samaritan found the newborn baby. The person wasted no time going into the dumpster to retrieve the child.
Police quickly began to investigate the incident, and thanks to area video footage, they identified the mother, Taylour Dickinson.
At 1 p.m. on July 5, 2025, a “concerned citizen” called 911 after finding an abandoned newborn, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. The passerby heard the baby crying in a dumpster in a nearby parking lot. When they looked inside the dumpster, they climbed in, retrieving the newborn.
“This child is alive today because of the swift and selfless actions of a community member who didn’t hesitate to help,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said. “We’re incredibly grateful for their courage and quick thinking. I also want to remind our community that there are safe and legal options for anyone in crisis, no baby should ever be left in danger.”
The newborn was taken to Renown Regional Medical Center, where it has been listed in good condition.
Days later, the sheriff’s office released another statement announcing that an arrest had been made in connection to the case. Taylour Sierra Dickinson, 28, was arrested and booked on two charges: attempted murder and child abuse, neglect, or endangerment. Because of the age of the child involved, no additional details about the case will be given.
“This case has deeply affected our community and our Office,” Balaam said. “We are grateful for the brave citizen who intervened — truly a hero whose actions saved this baby’s life — and for the work of our detectives in identifying and arresting those responsible for causing harm to this child. While we cannot undo the trauma, we do pursue justice for our most vulnerable citizens.”
Dickinson appeared in court for a bail hearing on July 9, the Reno Gazette Journal reported. Washoe County Sheriff’s Detective Claire Hoops-Adams testified, saying the baby was born between 2 and 3 a.m. and left in the dumpster around 3:33 a.m. She also testified that Dickinson was seen on security footage putting a garbage bag in the dumpster. The baby was found 10 hours later.
According to Hoops-Adams, Dickinson changed her story. First, she said she had a heavy menstrual cycle. Then, she said she didn’t know she was pregnant until she gave birth in the bathroom.
“She used either both hands or her left hand to pull on the umbilical cord, to pull on the placenta that was attached to the child,” Hoops-Adams said. “She had no knowledge of the gender, whether the child was breathing or moving.”
“According to her, the infant was wrapped completely in the towel and placed in the garbage bag,” Hoops-Adams testified. “In her panic, she thought that was her best option.”
Dickinson said she hoped someone would find the baby, but she knew she couldn’t have any more children. The mom of two said her husband also has children from a previous relationship.
“She stated that she had no desire to have any more children, stating her family financially was living paycheck to paycheck at that point and they could not support an additional child,” Hoops-Adams said.
Dickinson reportedly did something similar in 2023. She is being held on a $1 million cash-only bail.
