California woman arrested for newborn’s 1987 murder

Authorities have arrested a woman for the murder of her newborn 37 years after the infant was discovered deceased in a dumpster in California. A man searching for recyclables found a dead newborn in a dumpster behind a business on Oct. 13, 1987, according to Riverside police. The baby girl, believed to have been born just hours before being abandoned, had her death ruled as a homicide.

For decades, the case remained unsolved. It was reopened in 2020 when investigators teamed up with Othram labs to utilise DNA technology. In 2021, forensic evidence was submitted to Othram, where scientists created a DNA profile for the unidentified baby.

Riverside police then employed forensic genetic genealogy, which identifies unknown DNA by comparing it to family members who voluntarily provide DNA samples to a database. This investigation linked authorities to potential relatives of the baby.

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Cold case investigators have arrested a 55-year-old woman in North Carolina in connection with the death of a newborn girl found in a California dumpster 37 years ago, according to the Riverside Police Department. https://t.co/5OZM86jg8z

— KWWL (@KWWL) August 12, 2024

The suspect was identified as 55-year-old Melissa Jean Allen Avila, who was 19 when the newborn died. The motive remains unknown. Avila was arrested in North Carolina and extradited to Riverside County, California. She was booked for first-degree murder on Aug. 5.

Police stated that they have no reason to believe the baby’s father was criminally involved. Avila’s arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Riverside police highlighted California’s Safe Arms for Newborns law, enacted in 2001, which allows parents to leave a baby three days old or younger at a fire station or hospital emergency room without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment, provided the baby has not been abused or neglected.