Authorities have arrested a mother more than a year after her infant was discovered abandoned by a dumpster in the rain in Riverside.
The investigation commenced on May 4, 2025, when Riverside's public safety communications center received reports of a baby crying within the dumpster enclosure of an apartment complex on Jackson Street. Upon arrival, officers found a resident who had just discovered the infant.
The baby was located next to the dumpster, breathing and crying, with the umbilical cord still attached. The child was left exposed to rainfall, according to police statements. Paramedics transported the infant, believed to have been born just hours prior, to a local hospital. The current condition of the baby was not immediately available.
Detectives specializing in sexual assault and child abuse conducted the subsequent investigation, identifying the mother as Astrid Nohemi Lopez Ramos, 26, a resident of Riverside. Ms. Lopez Ramos was arrested on September 17 on suspicion of child endangerment and subsequently booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center. Her bail was set at $35,000.
The Riverside Police Department noted that under California law, parents or legal guardians can surrender a newborn within 72 hours of birth without question to ensure the child's safety. In Riverside County, this option is available at most hospitals and fire stations.
Anyone with further information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Jessica Iniguez at (951) 353-7121 or Detective Jarid Zuetel at (951) 826-8714.
