Discovery of the Infant

The incident came to light on Saturday afternoon, when neighbors at an apartment complex near the 1200 block of South Meadows Drive heard faint cries coming from a dumpster around 1:37 p.m. Concerned residents called 911, prompting an immediate response from the Austin Police Department and emergency services.

Before officers arrived, a bystander who heard the cries climbed into the dumpster and made a disturbing discovery: a newborn baby girl, her umbilical cord still attached, wrapped in trash. Witnesses say the infant was cold and crying but still alive.

“She was so tiny, and she was just lying there helpless,” said one neighbor who witnessed the rescue. “It’s a miracle she was found in time.”

Paramedics rushed the newborn to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed she was in stable condition. The baby is currently under medical care and has since been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS).

Arrest of the Mother

Investigators quickly launched an investigation, canvassing the area and reviewing surveillance footage. Evidence led them to identify Neli Felipe as the child’s mother. Police confirmed that Felipe had given birth only hours before allegedly leaving her daughter in the dumpster.

On Sunday evening, Felipe was arrested without incident and booked into the Travis County Jail. She is facing charges of abandoning/endangering a child, a second-degree felony under Texas law. If convicted, Felipe could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years and significant fines.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine Felipe’s state of mind at the time of the incident and whether she had access to medical or social support resources during her pregnancy.

Community Reaction

The case has stirred strong emotions among Austin residents, many of whom expressed both heartbreak for the baby and anger at the circumstances that led to her abandonment.

“It’s unthinkable that anyone could leave a baby in a dumpster,” said one local resident. “We’re just thankful someone heard her cries and acted before it was too late.”

Safe Haven Law Reminder

In the wake of the arrest, child welfare advocates have stressed the importance of raising awareness about Texas’s Safe Haven laws. Under these laws, parents may legally and safely surrender a newborn up to 60 days old at designated safe locations—such as hospitals, fire stations, or emergency medical facilities—without fear of prosecution.

“These laws exist to prevent exactly this kind of tragedy,” said a spokesperson for Texas Child Welfare Services. “Parents who feel they cannot care for their newborns have safe, legal, and confidential options. No infant should ever be left in danger.”

What’s Next

Felipe is currently being held in custody as prosecutors prepare formal charges. Her bond has not yet been announced. Court records show she is scheduled to make her first court appearance later this week.

Meanwhile, the infant girl remains in the care of CPS, where officials will oversee her long-term safety and well-being.

Authorities are urging the public to spread awareness of Safe Haven options and to encourage struggling parents to seek help rather than resort to unsafe or desperate measures.

“This baby was lucky to be found alive,” one Austin police officer said. “But not every case has the same outcome. We want people to know that there is help available.”