North Austin, September 26, 2025
News Summary
A 22-year-old woman was arrested in north Austin for abandoning her newborn baby in a dumpster. The baby, found alive, is recovering at a local hospital. The woman faces felony charges and has been prohibited from contacting her child. Authorities remind the public of Texas’ Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to surrender newborns safely.
North Austin
A 22-year-old woman, Neli Dinora Rivera-Felipe, was arrested for abandoning her newborn baby in a dumpster in north Austin. The incident occurred on September 20, 2025, around 1:30 PM, in the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard. Authorities received a call reporting that the baby had been found in a dumpster. Fortunately, the baby was alive and was promptly transported to a local hospital where it is currently recovering and in good condition.
Rivera-Felipe now faces charges for abandoning a child, classified as a second-degree felony. She was booked into the Travis County Jail on September 23, 2025, with a bond set at $50,000. During the investigation, police stated that Rivera-Felipe believed the child was dead when she abandoned it. Surveillance footage and community tips helped investigators to identify her.
Rivera-Felipe admitted to giving birth in her apartment on September 19 and revealed that she placed the baby in a white bucket before discarding it in the dumpster. Security footage showed that she returned to the dumpster the next morning to dispose of additional garbage. Authorities confirmed that no other suspects are associated with this case, and Rivera-Felipe is prohibited from having contact with the baby as a condition of her bail. Further investigation revealed that the baby was not born in a hospital.
This incident serves as a reminder about Texas’ Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to surrender newborns at designated locations without facing legal repercussions. The law permits the surrender of unharmed infants younger than 60 days at hospitals, fire stations, and EMS stations. This year alone, there have been 11 safe surrenders in Texas, although none were reported in Travis County. The Austin Police Department is urging anyone facing similar circumstances to seek help from local authorities or hotline resources.
The ongoing investigation has prompted law enforcement to encourage those with any information regarding this case to contact the Austin Police Department’s Child Abuse Unit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who was arrested in the North Austin incident?
A 22-year-old woman, Neli Dinora Rivera-Felipe, was arrested for abandoning her newborn baby in a dumpster.
When did the incident occur?
The incident occurred on September 20, 2025, around 1:30 PM.
Where did the incident take place?
The incident took place in the 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard in north Austin.
What happened to the baby?
The baby was found alive and was transported to a local hospital. It is now recovering and doing well after receiving medical attention.
What charges does Rivera-Felipe face?
Rivera-Felipe was charged with abandoning a child, a second-degree felony.
What is Texas’ Safe Haven Law?
The Safe Haven Law allows parents to surrender newborns at designated locations without facing legal repercussions.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrested Individual | Neli Dinora Rivera-Felipe, 22 |
| Date of Incident | September 20, 2025 |
| Location | 8600 block of North Lamar Boulevard, North Austin |
| Charge | Abandoning a child, second-degree felony |
| Bond Amount | $50,000 |
| Baby’s Condition | Alive and recovering at hospital |
| Safe Haven Law Surrenders in 2025 | 11 in Texas, none in Travis County |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Arrest Made in Abandoned Newborn Case in Austin
Abandoned Baby Found in Austin Dumpster, Police Make Arrest
Newborn Abandoned in Dumpster in North Austin
Newborn Baby Rescued from Dumpster in North Austin
Newborn Baby Girl Abandoned in North Austin Dumpster
Newborn Baby Found Alive in North Austin Dumpster
Newborn Baby Found Alive in Austin Dumpster
Baby Found Abandoned in Dumpster in North Austin
Baby Girl Found Alive in North Austin Dumpster
Additional Resources
- KSAT News
- Wikipedia: Safe Haven Law
- KVUE News
- Google Search: Austin Dumpster Baby Incident
- FOX 7 Austin
- Google Scholar: Safe Haven Law
- KTVB News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abandonment Laws Texas
- Statesman News
- Google News: North Austin Baby in Dumpster
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
