The lawyer for a New Mexico teen arrested after her newborn was allegedly found dead in a hospital trash can says the state is subjecting her to “barbaric” treatment, KRQE-TV reports.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, prosecutors in Eddy County charged 19-year-old Alexee Trevizo with first-degree murder this week in connection with the death of a baby boy.
Trevizo went to a hospital in January reporting severe back pain. She is said to have denied being pregnant and then allegedly locked herself in a bathroom.
A housekeeper cleaning the bathroom found a large pool of blood and a trashcan that was heavier than usual; the housekeeper called in nurses who found the dead body of a newborn boy inside a bag underneath other items, according to KOB-TV.
Trevizo reportedly has alleged that the baby was not breathing or crying at the time of birth and she did not know what to do.
Attorney Gary Mitchell, who represents Trevizo, alleges there is more to the story than the information police and prosecutors have released.
“I think it’s pretty outrageous, actually,” Mitchell told KRQE-TV. “She’s in great distress because she’s in jail and never been there before. And didn’t do anything to deserve being there, I don’t care what the State of New Mexico may allege.”
Mitchell said his client is a good student who participates in choir and cheer at school, has never been in trouble before and is planning to attend New Mexico State University.
The lawyer noted that Trevizo was already at a hospital when the birth occurred, which he said is significant.
“She’s at the only facility where she can get help and then this happens? I have serious problems with that. I have serious problems with the hospital care, I have serious problems with the records we’re not getting out of this hospital because I don’t necessarily think it’s correct and honest,” Mitchell told KRQE-TV.
“They did some lab work but they gave some medication before and gave it anyway and that’s powerful painkillers.”
Mitchell said he questions the propriety of the first-degree murder charge against Trevizo, who also is accused of tampering with evidence.
“I have serious problems with the charge in this case which is first-degree murder. You can bet your life we’re going to defend this tenaciously,” Mitchell told the television station.
Prosecutors are seeking to keep the teen in jail until her trial. Mitchell contends that his client has no criminal history and has not attempted to flee since giving birth. He described the state’s criminal justice system and bail and bond rules as “barbaric” and “archaic,” according to KRQE-TV.
“She just lost a son. She just lost a child. I mean come on there has to be some common human decency here,” Trevizo told the television station.
A court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday on whether Trevizo will remain behind bars pending trial.
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[Feature Photo: Alexee Trevizo/Police Handout]
