A woman has been charged with the murder of a newborn baby after she allegedly gave birth to the child in a homeless camp in California.
The Ventura County District Attorney announced in a news release on Tuesday, February 10, that Marisol Flores is facing the single murder charge, as well as a charge of assault on a child causing death.
Prosecutors said that Flores, 30, allegedly gave birth in a homeless camp located along West Vineyard Avenue in Oxnard, California, on Sunday, February 8.
One day before the alleged murder took place, witnesses claimed that they saw a pregnant Flores around the homeless camp. The witnesses next saw her on February 8 and noted she was no longer pregnant and did not appear to have a child with her, according to prosecutors.
“Flores is accused of killing the infant shortly after giving birth,” the release stated. “The baby’s body was discovered within the encampment and showed visible signs of blunt force trauma.”
After the baby’s body was discovered, a 911 call was made “regarding the birth of a child and complications involved in the birth of the child,” according to a press release shared by the Oxnard Police Department.
Officers were then dispatched to the location, and fire and EMS personnel arrived just after 11 a.m. First responders attempted to perform life saving measures on the infant, though the baby couldn’t be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Meanwhile, police said that Flores was taken to the hospital for medical aid.
While at the scene, emergency responders “took note of a suspicious injury to the infant and shared their findings with the police personnel on scene,” according to the press release.
Investigators with the department’s Family Protection and Major Crimes units were assigned to look into the case, and they found “additional information which led them to believe Flores was responsible for killing her 1-day-old infant child.” However, the press release does not state what that information is or what it revealed.
After the investigation was launched, Flores was arrested and was taken into custody on February 8.
Flores is being held on $500,000 bail, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s press release.
It is not currently clear if Flores has entered a plea or retained legal representation following her arrest.
Flores is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment hearing on the afternoon of Friday, February 13.
The investigation into the baby’s death remains ongoing, according to the press release. Police have asked that anyone with information about the case contact Detective Manuel Perez at (805) 385-7719 or [email protected].
Additionally, the Oxnard Police Department encouraged anyone with any information regarding this case or other criminal activity to contact the department at (805) 385-7600.
The department can also be contacted online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website. The department insisted that those who submit tips are able to remain anonymous.
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