By Ricardo Roura
Aug 11, 2024, 6:33 PM EDT
A 55-year-old Latina woman She was arrested by cold case detectives for allegedly dumping the body of her newborn daughter into a dumpster in the city of Riverside. nearly four decades ago, authorities said in a statement.
Melissa Jean Allen Avila was arrested by officers from the Riverside Police Department and sent to prison on murder charges after North Carolina authorities extradited her to Southern California.
Allen Ávila remains in the custody of the authorities at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Center on $1.1 million bail.
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Detectives The baby’s body was discovered on October 13, 1987.after a man searching for recyclables found the remains inside a dumpster behind a business in the 5400 block of La Sierra Avenue.
Examinations conducted by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office They determined that the girl’s death had been a homicide.
At that time, investigators faced difficulties in finding a lead in this incident, so the case remained on the list of unsolved cases after failing to identify a suspect.
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For nearly four decades, the newborn’s murder remained unsolved. However, in 2020, the Riverside Police Department’s newly formed Homicide Cold Case Unit, reopened the case and used DNA samples recovered at the scene to reactivate the investigation.
Detectives joined forces with their partners from the Riverside County Regional Cold Case Team and the nonprofit Season of Justice. to identify Ávila, who would have been 19 years old in 1987, as the mother of the newborn.
Season of Justice provides funding to agencies and families to help find solutions to unsolved cases through DNA analysis and forensic genealogy.
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After Avila was identified as the mother of the newborn girl, Riverside police worked with U.S. Marshals to track the Hispanic woman down to Shelby, North Carolina.
“Thanks to the ongoing efforts of our investigators and partners this victim now has an identity, which allows the case to be solved“said Riverside Police Department Chief Larry Gonzalez.
“We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and to ensure that their families can find a solution,” he added.
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In 2001, California passed a law establishing the “Safe Arms for Newborns” programwhich allowed parents or legal guardians to confidentially surrender a newborn at any hospital emergency room or fire station without fear of prosecution. The baby must be three days old or younger and cannot be a victim of abuse or neglect.
For Find the nearest secure delivery siteyou can call 1-877-222-9723, or visit the Department of Social Services website at this link.
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