Woman indicted in death of newborn left in toilet

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By Associated Press

Summary

A grand jury has indicted a Hermiston woman on aggravated murder charges in the death of her newborn son, left in the tank of a portable toilet used by farm workers.

Story Published: Jun 12, 2009 at 7:57 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jun 12, 2009 at 7:59 PM PDT

Woman indicted in death of newborn left in toilet
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A grand jury has indicted a Hermiston woman on aggravated murder charges in the death of her newborn son, left in the tank of a portable toilet used by farm workers.

The Oregon attorney general's office said Araceli Velasquez Espain, 23, is to be arraigned Tuesday in Morrow County Circuit Court.

The baby was found June 6 near Boardman.

She also is charged with manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, criminal mistreatment and concealing the birth of an infant. The aggravated murder charge can carry the death penalty.

Espain is held at the Umatilla County Jail on $2 million bail.

The Pendleton East Oregonian newspaper found testimony from Oregon State Police Detective Seth Cooney that depicts a confused young woman who initially tried to conceal her son's birth and death.

Cooney's testimony reveals the child was born alive.

On June 6 an employee of CB Portable Restrooms discovered a baby boy, with umbilical cord and placenta still attached, while cleaning a portable restroom at Atkinson Staffing.

Deputy Darrin Parson and Detective Rhiana Sheridan retrieved the infant and noticed blood on the floor, walls and seat of the restroom.

The employment agency leased the restroom for use on a farm west of Boardman.

A detective noticed that Espain worked only two hours June 6.

Atkinson Staffing's Human Resources Manager, Nina Pyle, told investigators Espain left early, complaining of severe pain and bleeding.

Espain lived with her husband, Alejandro Diaz.

Monday afternoon, investigators found Espain at work in a field. She agreed to a medical exam and DNA test and then admitted giving birth in a portable toilet on Saturday.

Espain said she felt her water break but felt no pain or pushing. She stated she looked in the toilet and saw the umbilical cord wrapped in a ball with the placenta.

Espain stated she knew her baby was in there but that the blue water was disgusting and she did not want to reach into it.