New Mexico woman charged after allegedly drowning newborn in portable toilet
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A New Mexico woman has been charged with allegedly giving birth in a portable toilet and then drowning her newborn in the tank.
Sonia Cristal Jimenez, 38, arrived at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, where staff said she appeared to have just given birth but did not have her baby with her, Las Cruces Police said in a press release.
Hospital staff later reported the unusual encounter to police.
Jimenez’s boyfriend said they drove to Burn Lake, about 6 miles away, and his girlfriend used the portable toilet.
A NEWBORN WITH AN UMBILICAL CABLE WAS FOUND AT PENN STATION, POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR ITS PARENTS
Sonia Cristal Jimenez, 38, is accused of drowning her newborn baby in a portable toilet. (Las Cruces Police)
Officers rushed to the deserted area and found the little girl dead in the water tank of the portable toilet.
Investigators suspect Jimenez gave birth, cut the umbilical cord and left the child in a water tank, where she drowned.
The woman’s boyfriend said they went to Burn Lake and his girlfriend was using the portable toilet. (Las Cruces Police)
According to investigators, the autopsy showed that the baby had inhaled and swallowed the sanitizing fluid used in the portable toilet. The blue chemical was found in the baby’s trachea, lungs and stomach, researchers said, confirming that the baby inhaled and swallowed the liquid while he was still alive.
Jimenez was arrested Wednesday and charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death, a first-degree felony. He was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center and is being held without bail.
AUTOPSY RESULTS DEEPENED THE MYSTERY OF THE BABY ALLEGEDLY FOUND DEAD IN THE CLOSET OF A UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETE
Police found the little girl dead in the water tank of the portable toilet. (iStock)
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Police said they do not expect charges to be filed against her boyfriend because they believe she was unaware she was giving birth.
“This is one of the most heartbreaking and disturbing cases I have encountered in my career,” Las Cruces police Chief Jeremy Story told the Santa Fe New Mexican.
