A teenage cheerleader facing first-degree murder charges for allegedly disposing of a newborn in a hospital bin may escape prosecution. Alexee Trevizo sought medical help at Artesia General Hospital on January 27, 2023, citing back pain. Subsequently, a newborn was found in a trash bag in the hospital bathroom.
The discovery led to a conversation captured on a police body camera where Trevizo admitted to the baby coming out unexpectedly and not breathing. Despite claiming the baby was stillborn, autopsy results contradicted her statement.
Trevizo was arrested in May 2023 and charged with first-degree murder but was released pending trial. She was allowed to attend college, although some students advocated for her exclusion from campus.
Legal challenges arose concerning the admissibility of evidence, leading to a ruling in 2024 that certain statements and recordings involving Trevizo were protected under doctor-patient privilege. The prosecution faced setbacks, prompting an appeal to the Supreme Court to reconsider the exclusion of crucial evidence.
Trevizo’s defense argued against the use of recorded conversations and footage, citing Miranda rights violations and privacy infringements. The prosecution contended that Trevizo had waived her rights by speaking in the presence of law enforcement.
The case’s outcome remains uncertain pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the admissibility of evidence from the hospital. Trevizo’s legal team warned that overturning the district court’s ruling could set a precedent affecting patient privacy rights statewide.
Throughout the proceedings, Trevizo has maintained her innocence, claiming ignorance of her pregnancy until the baby’s unexpected delivery in the hospital restroom.
