A 17-year-old girl in Texas is currently in a “secure location,” and her father, Jerry Lee Martinez, is facing additional charges after a newborn was found in a Walmart bathroom trash can.
The shocking incident led to new charges against Martinez, who had previously been accused of abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence.
The Discovery of the Newborn
The troubling incident occurred on July 14, 2025, when Walmart employees found a newborn baby in a trash can in the bathroom of the Kingsville Walmart around 10:30 p.m.
The employees immediately performed lifesaving efforts on the baby before it was rushed to a local hospital. Unfortunately, doctors later pronounced the infant dead.
Following the discovery, Kingsville Police reviewed surveillance footage, which showed the 17-year-old girl entering the bathroom, staying inside for about 40 minutes, and then leaving the store.
She was seen walking to her car in the parking lot shortly afterward. Around 11:00 p.m., officers located her vehicle and stopped both the girl and her father, Jerry Lee Martinez, who was with her. Paramedics rushed the girl to the hospital, while police arrested her father.
Charges Against Jerry Lee Martinez
Martinez, 45, was initially charged with abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence. However, on July 15, 2025, Kingsville police added additional charges against him, including tampering with a witness and tampering with physical evidence. Martinez’s bond was set at $300,000, and he remains detained at the Kleberg County Jail.
A detective with the Kingsville Police Department testified that Martinez posed a danger to the community, and further charges were expected.
The detective also mentioned that Martinez had allegedly threatened a witness, although the identity of the witness has not been disclosed. Martinez’s attorney acknowledged that the case against him appeared to be very serious.
Investigation and Family Involvement
According to reports, authorities in Mathis, the town where the family resides, are conducting a parallel investigation alongside Child Protective Services. Additionally, Martinez has been ordered not to have contact with his daughter or other family members. This is part of the ongoing investigation into the events surrounding the newborn’s death.
Baby Moses Law
Texas has a Baby Moses Law, also known as the Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to legally and anonymously drop off a baby less than 60 days old at designated emergency infant care providers, such as hospitals or fire stations.
This law is intended to provide a safe option for parents who are unable to care for their babies, though it was not used in this case.
Ongoing Investigation
Details about the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death remain unclear. Police have not disclosed whether the infant was alive at birth or the exact cause of death. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have expressed their deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy.
