Women who safely surrender their babies shortly after birth are to be commended for their bravery. In recent decades, the spread of safe haven laws and boxes has helped save the lives of dozens of newborns. Tragically, however, infanticide still happens.
A California woman was recently charged in connection with allegedly throwing her newborn away in a dumpster. What's interesting about the case is that it happened nearly 40 years ago. Now, the woman faces murder charges.
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In 1987, the body of a baby girl was discovered in a dumpster.
On October 13, 1987, the body of a newborn girl was found in a dumpster. A man looking through dumpsters behind a business discovered the body, according to a news release August 8, 2024, from the City of Riverside. The Riverside County coroner's office ruled the death a homicide, but the case went cold when no further evidence was discovered.
DNA evidence helped link detectives to a suspect in the cold case.
DNA helped revive the 37-year-old cold case, KCAL News reported.
"An essential partner in this investigation was Season of Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial assistance for investigative agencies and families to help solve cold cases through grant funding for advanced DNA analysis solutions and forensic genealogy," the city's news release read. "This funding allowed for DNA analysis to be conducted by Othram, Inc., a private lab that specializes in DNA technology."
Melissa Jean Allen Avila of California was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
On August 5, Melissa Jean Allen Avila, 55, was charged with first-degree murder and arrested. She was found Shelby, North Carolina, and extradited to Riverside County, California, the Riverside Police Department announced in the city news release. She was taken to the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, and her bond was set at $1.1 million.
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At the time the baby was found, Avila would have been 19.
Police noted that "detectives have no reason to believe the baby’s father had any criminal culpability in the murder." No other details about the newborn's cause of death have been released thus far.
Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez issued a statement about the cold case.
“Thanks to the persistent efforts of our investigators and partners, this victim now has an identity, bringing resolution to the case,” Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said in the news release. “We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and ensuring their families find closure.”
