Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
[Update] Teen Mom Accused Of Throwing Newborn Down Garbage Chute
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 28, 2013
Modified Apr 28, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 28, 2013
Modified Apr 28, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Update Below A 19-year-old woman has been accused of throwing her newborn baby down a garbage chute in the Bronx yesterday. According to the Post, the baby was found dead in a trash bag in the basement of the West Farms Road building on Saturday. “We all went down together and we saw the small little bag in the garbage,” said Jose Garcia, the building’s super. “I was about to change the garbage bags myself. I might not have even seen it if I didn’t know to look for it.”
Police say the teen went to Albert Einstein Hospital afterwards and reportedly admitted to doctors that she gave birth, then threw the child down a garbage chute that leads to an incinerator. It's not clear whether the baby was born alive or not, but officials did note the baby appeared to have been born premature. Neighbors told News 12 more details about the incident, including that the teen gave birth in her bathroom and asked her brother for scissors and a bag. No charged have been filed as of yet.
Update: The accused teen, 19-year-old Ariel Devonish-Francis, has now been charged with unlawful disposal of a cadaver, a misdemeanor. She could face more charges if t e city Medical Examiner's Office finds that the premature baby she delivered was born alive before it was thrown out in a black plastic bag.
Tagged
bronx
death
garbage chute
newborn
nypd
police
teen
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
A sixth person dies after falling ill in NYPD custody this year
The 54-year-old was hospitalized twice after his arrest Friday, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 4, 2026 at 4:44 p.m. ET
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
By
Emily Russell
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
By
Jill Webb
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .