A Texas man, aged 45, has been arrested following an incident where his daughter reportedly gave birth in a Walmart restroom. The newborn was later declared dead. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on a Monday when Walmart staff alerted the Kingsville Police Department after discovering a newborn in a trash can in the restroom. The employees attempted to resuscitate the infant before it was transported to a local hospital, where it was pronounced dead.
The police reviewed surveillance footage, which revealed a 17-year-old girl entering the restroom. After spending approximately 40 minutes inside, she exited and walked to her vehicle in the parking lot. It was about half an hour later when the employees discovered the infant.
Around 11 p.m., the police located the teenager’s vehicle and pulled her over. She was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention. The girl’s father, Jerry Lee Martinez, was arrested on charges of abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence. He is currently being held at the Kleberg County Jail without bond.
The teenager remains in the hospital, and the police intend to interview her once she is discharged. The circumstances surrounding the birth and the cause of the infant’s death have not been disclosed. The police have stated that more information will be released in due course.
The Kingsville Police Department expressed their condolences to those affected by the tragic event and confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Kingsville is situated approximately 45 miles southwest of Corpus Christi.
It’s worth noting that Texas has a Baby Moses Law, also known as the Safe Haven Law. This law allows parents to leave a baby less than 60 days old at a designated emergency infant care provider.