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Las Cruces Woman Arrested for Allegedly Abandoning Newborn in Portable Toilet

KVIA•Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 7:14 PM•Armando Ramirez

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A 38-year-old woman, Sonia Cristal Jimenez, has been arrested in Las Cruces for allegedly abandoning her newborn daughter in a portable toilet. The incident occurred on February 7, 2026, when Jimenez arrived at Memorial Medical Center without the baby. An investigation revealed that she gave birth in a portable toilet at Burn Lake and placed the infant in the holding tank, where the child was later found dead. An autopsy confirmed the baby was alive when abandoned, having inhaled toxic chemicals from the toilet. Jimenez is charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death and is currently held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

Key Details: • Incident occurred on February 7, 2026, at Burn Lake. • Sonia Cristal Jimenez is charged with felony child abuse resulting in death. • The newborn was found dead in a portable toilet's holding tank. • An autopsy confirmed the baby was alive when placed in the tank. • Jimenez is being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

arrest las-cruces child-abuse crime newborn

People & Organizations

Las CrucesLas Cruces Police DepartmentSonia Cristal JimenezBurn LakeDona Ana County Detention CenterMemorial Medical Center

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