RivCo Woman Arrested One Year After Newborn Found Abandoned Near Dumpster: Police

RIVERSIDE, CA — A 26-year-old woman has been arrested more than one year after a baby believed to be her child was discovered next to a dumpster in Riverside, police announced on Friday.

On May 4, 2025, police received a report about a baby crying inside a dumpster enclosure at an apartment building in the 3800 block of Jackson Street. Officers responded to the scene and discovered a newborn infant who had been found moments earlier by a resident, according to the Riverside Police Department.

"The baby was lying next to a dumpster, breathing, and crying, with the umbilical cord still attached. The infant had been left uncovered and exposed to the rain," police said.

Paramedics responded to the location immediately and transported the infant to a nearby hospital.

Investigators said they believe the baby had been delivered a few hours before being discovered.

Detectives investigated the case over a year and identified the child's mother as 26‑year‑old Astrid Nohemi Lopez Ramos of Riverside, according to the Riverside Police Department.

On Thursday, Sept. 17, Ramos was arrested for child endangerment and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center. Her bail was set at $35,000, police said.

According to court records on Friday, Ramos was not in custody. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2027 at Riverside Hall of Justice.

Anyone with information related to the investigation was asked to contact Riverside Police Department at 951-353-7121 or 951-826-8714.

Riverside police also reminded the public that California's Safely Surrendered Baby Law was created to prevent newborn deaths. The law allows a parent or legal guardian to safely surrender a baby within 72 hours of birth, no questions asked. In Riverside County, newborns may be safely surrendered at nearly all fire stations and hospitals. The nearest Safe Surrender site can be found by calling 1-877-BABYSAF or by visiting 211la.org/safely-surrender-baby.