KINGSVILLE, TX — A tragic and unsettling case has unfolded in Kingsville, Texas, where 45-year-old Jerry Lee Martinez has been arrested following the discovery of a deceased newborn baby inside a Walmart bathroom trash can. The incident involves Martinez’s 17-year-old daughter, whose name has not been released due to her age.
According to the Kingsville Police Department, officers were called to the Walmart on Monday night after a maintenance worker, while taking out the garbage, discovered the newborn child inside a restroom trash can. Walmart employees immediately attempted life-saving measures before emergency responders arrived and transported the infant to a local hospital. Sadly, the baby girl was later pronounced dead.
Surveillance video revealed that Martinez’s teenage daughter had spent approximately 40 minutes inside the bathroom before leaving the store and getting into a car parked in the lot. Roughly 30 minutes after her departure, the maintenance worker made the tragic discovery.
Authorities were able to track down the 17-year-old girl and transport her to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation. While she has not been charged at this time, investigators plan to question her about the birth and the circumstances surrounding the infant’s abandonment.
Jerry Lee Martinez, the teenager’s father, was taken into custody and has been charged with abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence. Police allege that his failure to properly supervise or intervene contributed to the tragic outcome.
Investigators have not yet released further details about what Martinez knew or when he became aware of his daughter’s condition, but the case has raised urgent questions about the role of parental responsibility and access to support for vulnerable teens.
Texas’ Safe Haven Law, also known as the Baby Moses Law, allows parents to legally and safely surrender unharmed newborns at designated locations such as hospitals or fire stations, no questions asked. Authorities emphasize that had this option been used, the baby’s life might have been spared.
As this investigation continues, the Kingsville Police Department encourages anyone with additional information to come forward. The department is coordinating with Child Protective Services and local officials to understand the full scope of this devastating event and whether further charges may be filed.
The case of Jerry Lee Martinez and his daughter has deeply affected the Kingsville community and reignited discussions about how to better support young mothers, educate families on legal alternatives, and prevent future tragedies of this nature.
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