Over a year ago, authorities in Riverside discovered a baby abandoned by a dumpster. The mother of the child has now been arrested. The investigation commenced on May 4, 2025, when Riverside’s public safety communications center received reports of a baby crying within the dumpster enclosure of an apartment complex located in the 3800 block of Jackson Street. This was confirmed in a statement from the Riverside Police Department on Friday.

Officers arrived at the scene to find that a resident had recently discovered the infant. The baby was found next to the dumpster, breathing and crying, with the umbilical cord still attached. It was left uncovered in the rain. Paramedics took the baby, suspected to have been born only hours earlier, to a local hospital. The current condition of the baby remains unclear. The Riverside Police Department could not be reached for comment on Friday night.

The department’s sexual assault and child abuse detectives led an investigation and identified the mother as 26-year-old Astrid Nohemi Lopez Ramos, who resides in Riverside. She was arrested on September 17, on suspicion of child endangerment, and was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center. Her bail is set at $35,000.

The public is urged to provide any details regarding this case by contacting Detective Jessica Iniguez at (951) 353-7121, or Detective Jarid Zuetel at (951) 826-8714.

Under California law, parents or legal guardians can surrender a baby within 72 hours of birth without any questions to ensure the child’s safety. In Riverside County, most hospitals and fire stations accept surrendering of newborns.