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Woman arrested in 37-year-old cold case for allegedly leaving dead newborn baby in California dumpster

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Woman arrested in 37-year-old cold case for allegedly leaving dead newborn baby in California dumpster

A woman was arrested in connection with a nearly 37-year-old cold case in which a newborn baby was found dead in a California dumpster, according to police.

Melissa Jean Allen Avila, now 55, was taken into custody Friday on a murder charge and was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on $1.1 million bail, according to the Riverside Police Department.

Avila is accused of leaving her deceased baby girl in a dumpster behind a business on the 5400 block of La Sierra Ave. in Riverside, California, in October 1987 when she was 19-years-old.

A man rummaging for recyclables discovered the baby, according to police.

MISSING CALIFORNIA MOTHER FOUND DEAD NEAR HIKING TRAIL AFTER PARTNER THREATENED 3-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER: POLICE

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Melissa Jean Allen Avila, now 55, was arrested on a murder charge. (Riverside Police Department)

The death of the newborn child was ruled a homicide by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office, but the police department’s homicide detectives exhausted all leads and were unable to identify a suspect at the time.

But in 2020, the case was reopened and Avila was identified as the baby’s mother through DNA samples. Detectives have no reason to believe the baby’s father had any criminal responsibility in the child’s murder.

Avila was eventually found to be living in Shelby, North Carolina. She was taken into custody and extradited to California.

MASSACHUSETTS RAPE SUSPECT WANTED FOR DECADES-OLD CRIMES CAPTURED AFTER CHASE IN LOS ANGELES

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A man rummaging for recyclables discovered the baby. (Riverside Police Department)

“Thanks to the persistent efforts of our investigators and partners, this victim now has an identity, bringing resolution to the case,” Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said in a statement. “We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and ensuring their families find closure.”

Avila’s arraignment is slated for September 9.

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Utah

22-year-old arrested in Utah in connection to Las Vegas double-homicide

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22-year-old arrested in Utah in connection to Las Vegas double-homicide


LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Officials have identified a 22-year-old man as the suspect in a Las Vegas homicide case that killed two people in a Southern Highlands neighborhood.

Detectives say 22-year-old Ziaire Ham was the suspect in the case. According to officials, Ham was located on Tuesday, March 3, by the Ogden City Police Department and the Utah Highway Patrol.

Ham was taken into custody and booked into the Weber County Jail. Las Vegas authorities said he will be charged with open murder with the use of a deadly weapon and will be extradited back to the valley.

MORE ON FOX5: LVMPD corrections officer arrested on multiple felony charges

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The shooting occurred Monday night at the 11000 block of Victoria Medici Street, near Starr Ave and Dean Martin Drive.

According to police, officers were conducting a vehicle stop in the area when they heard gunfire. After searching nearby neighborhoods they found a car with bullet impacts with a woman and a toddler inside suffering from gunshot wounds.

The pair were transported to hospital where they later died. The Clark County Coroner’s Office identified them as Danaijha Robinson, 20, and 1-year-old Nhalani Hiner.



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Washington

Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey

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Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey


WASHINGTON TWP., N.J. — Officers in Washington Township, said they finished a DoorDash food delivery after arresting the driver who had warrants out for his arrest.

Body camera video shows officers stepping in to deliver the food themselves, a move the department in southern New Jersey later shared on its Facebook page.

“I thought something happened. Oh my God, I got so scared,” said the customer when she answered the door.

The DoorDash customer, seen on police body cam video, was instantly relieved and appreciative upon learning why officers were at her door.

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“Arrested your driver, but, yeah, we delivered your food,” one of the officers said.

It turns out a Washington Township police officer stopped the DoorDash driver during routine patrols in front of a high school over the weekend.

“He made a stop on it for a violation,” said Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik.

But then, Chief Gurcsik said the officer learned the driver had warrants out for his arrest in another county.

“He made the officers aware that he had two DoorDash meals in the car that he was in the middle of delivering,” Gurcsik said.

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The officers went from cuffing the driver to ringing a doorbell to finish his delivery.

“I never heard of anything like that in the South Jersey area. It’s sort of a first for us here in Washington Township, definitely,” Gurcsik said.

Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey

It’s happened in other places, too, including in New Mexico last summer, when a motorcycle cop delivered someone’s Chick-fil-A order after arresting the driver.

“Hello, sir, got your DoorDash. Oh, thank you,” the officer said. “He’s a good kid, give him five stars. He just didn’t take care of a simple insurance ticket.”

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And officers over in Arizona made a similar arrest during a traffic stop and were seen on body camera finishing the delivery.

“Your GrubHub, still delivered your pizza,” the officer said.

“We definitely serve the community in more ways than one,” Gurcsik said.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Wyoming

Explore small streams of Wyo. with WGFD XStream Angler challenge

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Explore small streams of Wyo. with WGFD XStream Angler challenge


WYOMING — The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is rolling out its 2026 XStream Angler challenge, open to anyone looking to fish the smaller streams of Wyoming. The XStream Angler challenge is an opportunity for anglers in the state to explore over 150 streams with instream flow water rights. According to WGFD, instream flow […]



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