Nearly 37 years after a newborn baby was found dead in a California dumpster, a woman has been arrested in connection with the cold case, thanks to DNA analysis and persistent investigative efforts. Melissa Jean Allen Avila, now 55, faces a murder charge and is being held on $1.1 million bail.
In a significant breakthrough, a nearly 4-decade-old cold case involving the death of a newborn baby in California has been resolved with the arrest of a woman. Melissa Jean Allen Avila, now 55, has been charged with murder for allegedly leaving her deceased baby girl in a dumpster behind a business in Riverside, California, in October 1987.
DNA Breakthrough Leads to Arrest in Decades-Old California Baby Death Case
The discovery of the deceased infant, found by a man rummaging for recyclables, initially perplexed authorities. The Riverside County Coroner's Office ruled the baby's death a homicide, but detectives hit a dead end in their investigation and were unable to identify a suspect at the time.
Undeterred, the case was reopened in 2020, and investigators employed DNA analysis techniques to identify Avila as the baby's mother. They traced her to Shelby, North Carolina, where she was eventually taken into custody and extradited to California.
DNA Breakthrough Leads to Arrest in Decades-Old California Baby Death Case
Police have ruled out any criminal responsibility on the part of the baby's father in the child's death. According to Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez, the case's resolution is a testament to the unwavering efforts of investigators and their commitment to seeking justice for homicide victims.
"Thanks to the persistent efforts of our investigators and partners, this victim now has an identity, bringing resolution to the case," Gonzalez said in a statement. "We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and ensuring their families find closure."
DNA Breakthrough Leads to Arrest in Decades-Old California Baby Death Case
Avila's arraignment is scheduled for September 9, and she is being held in the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on $1.1 million bail. The arrest and resolution of this decades-old case underscore the power of DNA analysis and the determination of law enforcement agencies in seeking closure for unsolved crimes.
