KINGSVILLE, TX — A heartbreaking incident has shaken the community of Kingsville, Texas, where a newborn baby girl was found deceased in a Walmart restroom trash can, leading to the arrest of 45-year-old Jerry Lee Martinez, the father of the 17-year-old girl believed to have given birth to the infant.

On Monday, July 14, 2025, at approximately 10:22 p.m., Kingsville Police Department officers responded to a 911 call from employees at the Walmart located on East General Cavazos Boulevard. A maintenance worker, while collecting trash from the restroom, discovered the newborn inside a trash bag. Walmart staff immediately attempted lifesaving measures, including CPR, before emergency responders arrived. The infant was rushed to Christus Spohn Hospital–Kleberg, where she was pronounced dead.

Surveillance footage reviewed by police showed a 17-year-old girl entering the store and spending about 40 minutes in the restroom before exiting and entering a vehicle in the parking lot. Approximately 30 minutes after her departure, the newborn was found. Authorities located the vehicle in the Walmart parking lot around 10:53 p.m., and the teenager was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, where she remains under care. Police plan to interview her upon her release to gather more details about the incident.

Jerry Lee Martinez, a resident of Mathis, Texas, and the father of the teen, was arrested at the scene. He faces charges of abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence and is being held without bond at the Kleberg County Jail. Additionally, Martinez is charged with tampering with a witness and tampering with physical evidence, though the specifics of these allegations remain unclear. The Kingsville Police Department has not disclosed whether the newborn was alive at birth or the exact cause of death, as the investigation is ongoing.

Detective Celinda Tatum of the Kingsville Police Department emphasized the importance of seeking help in such situations, stating, “The avenue taken last night wasn’t the correct one, wasn’t a safe one for the mother or the child. We do advise that anytime an incident does occur, contact police or emergency personnel so that the baby and the mother can get seen medically.” Texas’ Safe Haven Law, also known as the Baby Moses Law, allows parents to surrender unharmed newborns at designated safe places, such as hospitals, fire stations, or EMS stations, without fear of legal repercussions, provided the infant is unharmed.

The Kingsville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is actively investigating the case and encourages anyone with information to contact them at 361-593-8849 or Kingsville Crime Stoppers at 361-592-INFO (4636) for anonymous tips. The department has extended its deepest condolences to all affected by this tragic event.

This devastating case has sparked renewed conversations in the Kingsville community about supporting young mothers, raising awareness of legal options like the Safe Haven Law, and addressing the responsibilities of parents in preventing such tragedies. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this incident and determine whether additional charges will be filed.