Mom arrested 37 years after heinous act following incredible DNA breakthrough
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: WBTV
A woman has been arrested 37 years after she allegedly dumped her newborn baby.
Way back on 13 October, 1987, a newborn baby girl was found in a recycling bin in the 5400 block of La Sierra Avenue in California.
A man looking through the recyclables discovered the deceased baby behind a business.
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Ultimately, the girl's tragic death was ruled as homicide and the case went cold until a breakthrough over 30 years later in 2020.
The Riverside Police Department's Homicide Cold Case Unit reopened the case and some four years later, all of their hard work has paid off following the arrest of Melissa Jean Allen Avila.
The 55-year-old has since been identified as the baby's mother after she was detained in Shelby, North Carolina on August 5.
KCBS reports Avila was just 19 at the time of the alleged crime, with DNA samples leading back to the mother.
Police are accusing her of throwing her newborn girl in the dumpster back in 1987.
Following her arrest for murder, Avila has been taken into custody in Cleveland County.
After being extradited back to Southern California, KCBS reports Avila is being held behind bars on a $1.1 million bail.
California Statewide Law Enforcement Association President Alan Barcelona said: "We very much appreciate the combined efforts of those in forensics who work with detectives in solving cold cases such as this one.
"It provides answers and leads to identifying victims and aids in the search for a suspect leading to criminal justice."
While Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez added: "Thanks to the persistent efforts of our investigators and partners, this victim now has an identity, bringing resolution to the case.
"We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and ensuring their families find closure."
KCBS state Avila's arraignment is scheduled for September 9, where we will learn more in this long-running case.
A press release from the Californian Statewide Law Enforcement Association states Season of Justice, 'a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial assistance for investigative agencies and families to help solve cold cases', proved vital in their investigations.
The funding allowed for DNA analysis solutions and forensic genealogy to be undertaken in a specialist list, which ultimately led them to Avila.