In January, 19-year-old Alexee Trevizo was admitted to an Artesia hospital in New Mexico, complaining of severe back pain. While there, hospital staff members believe she locked herself inside a bathroom, gave birth, then stuffed the baby into the bathroom’s trash can.
A custodian who had cleaned up a restroom after the defendant used it noticed that the trash bag was heavier than usual, she checked and discovered the newborn. The baby was dead, and a medical examiner classified the newborn’s death as a homicide, noting the death was not consistent with stillbirth as the little baby boy had air in his lungs.
After four months of investigation, Trevizo was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and tampering with evidence. Body camera footage shows the moment New Mexico police arrested Trevizo on murder charges.
When officers arrived to take Trevizo into custody, they were greeted by her mother, who insisted on seeing an arrest warrant and asked why her daughter was being arrested. Officers told her it was an open count of homicide and tampering with evidence.
Trevizo’s attorney, Gary Mitchell, argued his client should not face a murder charge. When asked why Trevizo put her baby in a trash bag, Mitchell said she believed the baby was dead. Mitchell also appeared to suggest that he would challenge the autopsy results on the baby.
Trevizo was booked on May 10 and released after posting $100,000 bond on May 16. Her trial is scheduled for October, according to online court records. Her release stipulations require her to follow a 7 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. curfew — but she is not required to be on house arrest or wear a GPS ankle bracelet.
Trevizo faces up to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.