Mother, 34, Arrested In Death Of Newborn Child

MECCA (CBSLA.com) — A 34-year-old Riverside County woman accused in the murder of her newborn child remained behind bars Tuesday.

Esmeralda Gonzalez Martinez, of Thermal, was arrested Monday on suspicion of voluntary manslaughter and causing willful harm to a child after Riverside County Sheriff's deputies responded to a park in the 65200 block of Cahuilla Street in Mecca.

The infant was abandoned in the park, according to the Riverside County Coroner's Office.

"The investigation found that it appears the baby was born and died at the location," Sgt. Jeff Buompensiero said.

Martinez was found nearby and transported to a local hospital for treatment.

She was later arrested.

The cause of the child's death was under investigation. No additional details were released.

Martinez was being held at the Riverside County Jail in Indio on $215,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning.

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