New Mexico mother accused of drowning newborn in portable toilet after giving birth

A New Mexico woman faces felony charges after she allegedly gave birth in a portable toilet before drowning the newborn in the holding tank. New Mexico New Mexico mother accused of drowning newborn in portable toilet after giving birth Sonia Cristal Jimenez, 38, was charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death By Landon Mion Fox News Published February 15, 2026 9:25pm EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for February 15 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A New Mexico woman is facing charges after she allegedly gave birth in a portable toilet and then killed the newborn by drowning them in the holding tank. Sonia Cristal Jimenez, 38, arrived at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces at around 10:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, when staff said she appeared as if she had just given birth, but she had no baby with her, Las Cruces Police said in a press release.Hospital staff then notified police about the unusual encounter. Jimenez’s boyfriend said they had been at Burn Lake, which is located about six miles away, and that his girlfriend had used a portable toilet. NEWBORN FOUND WITH UMBILICAL CORD ATTACHED IN PENN STATION, POLICE HUNT FOR PARENTS Sonia Cristal Jimenez, 38, is accused of drowning her newborn in a portable toilet. (Las Cruces Police) Officers rushed to the deserted area and discovered the infant girl dead in the portable toilet's holding tank.Investigators suspect that Jimenez gave birth, cut the umbilical cord and left the child in the holding tank, where she drowned. The woman's boyfriend said they had been at Burn Lake and that his girlfriend had used a portable toilet. (Las Cruces Police) An autopsy showed the baby inhaled and swallowed the sanitation liquid used in the portable toilet, according to investigators. The blue chemical was found in the baby’s trachea, lungs and stomach, which investigators said confirms that she breathed and swallowed the liquid while she was still alive.Jimenez was arrested on Wednesday and charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death, a first-degree felony. She was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center and is being held without bond. AUTOPSY RESULTS DEEPEN MYSTERY OF INFANT ALLEGEDLY FOUND DEAD IN UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETE'S CLOSET Police found the infant girl dead in the portable toilet's holding tank. (iStock) CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APPPolice said they do not expect to charge her boyfriend, as they do not believe he was aware she had given birth."This is one of the most heartbreaking and disturbing cases I have encountered in my career," Las Cruces police Chief Jeremy Story told the Santa Fe New Mexican. Related Topics New MexicoU.S.CrimePolice and Law Enforcement True Crime The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal. Arrives Weekly By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. Subscribe Subscribed Subscribe You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!