Mother Arrested for Abandoning Baby in Riverside

More than a year after Riverside authorities discovered a baby abandoned by a dumpster, police have arrested the child’s mother. The case began on May 4, 2025, when the Riverside public safety communications center received reports of a baby crying in the dumpster enclosure of an apartment complex on Jackson Street. The Riverside Police Department released a statement detailing the investigation.

Upon arrival, officers found that a resident had discovered the child. The baby was next to the dumpster, exposed to rain, breathing, and crying with the umbilical cord still attached. The infant was taken by paramedics to a local hospital for care. Authorities believe the baby was delivered only hours before being found. The current condition of the baby remains unclear. Riverside Police Department officials were unavailable for comments on Friday night.

Detectives specializing in sexual assault and child abuse identified the mother as Astrid Nohemi Lopez Ramos, a 26-year-old resident of Riverside. She was arrested on September 17 on charges of child endangerment. Ramos was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center, with bail set at $35,000.

If you have any information regarding the case, contact Det. Jessica Iniguez at (951) 353-7121, or Det. Jarid Zuetel at (951) 826-8714.

In California, law allows a parent or legal guardian to surrender a newborn within 72 hours of birth without facing legal repercussions to protect the child. In Riverside County, newborns can be safely surrendered at most hospitals and fire stations.