A Texas mother, Catherine Nicole Innes, 22, has been arrested nearly a year after allegedly giving birth to a baby boy in a shower and disposing of his body in the trash. The child’s remains were discovered by garbage truck workers in August 2024, sparking an investigation that eventually led to her arrest.
Discovery of the Baby’s Remains
On August 14, 2024, workers at a garbage collection site in Houston discovered the decomposing remains of a newborn, later identified as Jesus Martinez. The baby’s body had been damaged in the trash compactor.
Authorities responded to the scene and began an investigation. During this process, Innes approached deputies and confessed to being the child’s mother.
Innes’ Account of the Incident
Innes explained that she had experienced severe stomach cramps for several days before giving birth in the shower. She said she ran cold water to alleviate the discomfort and gave birth to the baby, who made some noise but later stopped breathing.
According to the affidavit, Innes said she passed out in the shower and, when she regained consciousness, found the baby unresponsive.
In a panic, Innes admitted that she placed the baby’s body in a trash bag, along with the nightgown she had been wearing and the towels used to clean up blood. She then disposed of the bag in a trash bin behind her house. The trash was collected three days later, and the baby’s remains were later discovered in the garbage truck.
Investigation and Medical Examination
Authorities were able to trace the baby’s identity and find Innes, who lives with her boyfriend and a 3-year-old son. During questioning, she told investigators that although she and her boyfriend had planned to have more children, she felt it was not the right time for another child.
A medical examiner conducted an autopsy, which ruled the baby’s cause of death as “undetermined.” The examiner could not find any medical issues or deformities that would explain the death.
The baby could have died from suffocation, being intentionally drowned, or due to the extreme heat in the trash bag, the affidavit stated. The autopsy concluded that with proper medical attention, the baby could have survived.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Innes was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence, specifically a human corpse. She was taken to the Harris County Jail, where she remains on a $50,000 bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday. The reasons for the nearly year-long delay in filing charges are still unclear.
This tragic case underscores the importance of providing proper medical care and support during pregnancy. While the cause of the baby’s death remains undetermined, authorities are continuing to investigate, and Innes faces serious legal consequences for her actions.
