HOUSTON, TX – A young mother from Houston has been sentenced to seven years in prison after abandoning her newborn son in a dumpster behind a taco truck, a crime that could have resulted in tragedy if not for quick action by a nearby passerby.
Everilda Cux-Ajtzalam, 19, pleaded guilty to felony child abandonment in imminent danger after admitting to leaving her infant, later named Gabriel, inside a tied garbage bag in the dumpster last year. The case drew widespread attention for the dramatic rescue and the circumstances that led to the baby’s abandonment.
According to court documents, Cux-Ajtzalam gave birth in July 2024 behind the food truck where she worked along Dashwood Drive. She then placed the baby, along with the placenta and umbilical cord, into a trash bag, secured it, and left it in a dumpster near the scene. Surveillance footage later captured her actions, which investigators used to track her down.
Gabriel’s life was saved when a person walking by the dumpster heard faint cries coming from inside and immediately called 911. Emergency responders from the Houston Police and Fire Departments arrived quickly and rescued the newborn, who was then transported to Texas Children’s Hospital. Medical personnel determined the child was in stable condition and placed him in the care of Child Protective Services.
Investigators connected the baby to Cux-Ajtzalam through the food truck and questioned her shortly after the incident. She reportedly told authorities that she felt compelled to abandon the baby out of fear that her boyfriend would end their relationship if he learned of the child’s existence. Her account indicated that she saw no alternatives, a sentiment confirmed during later interviews.
Court records also reveal that Cux-Ajtzalam had been unaware of her pregnancy for much of its duration, only discovering her condition in its late stages. She also told authorities that the pregnancy was the result of sexual assault by a family member and said her undocumented status had made her afraid to seek medical assistance, out of concern for possible deportation.
Cux-Ajtzalam has been in custody since her arrest and was credited with more than a year served when she appeared before Harris County District Judge Veronica M. Nelson on Monday. Under a plea agreement, she received a seven-year sentence in a state correctional facility.
During her initial court appearance, Judge Nelson noted the life-threatening conditions the infant faced, underscoring the high temperatures in Houston at that time and calling it “pure luck” that Gabriel was found alive. The judge set bail at $90,000 due to the severity of the incident.
Gabriel, now healthy and living with foster parents, continues to thrive, according to county officials. Authorities have expressed gratitude for the individual who discovered the baby and notified emergency services, crediting their quick action with saving the child’s life.
No additional charges are currently pending in the case. The outcome has highlighted issues surrounding access to health care, immigration status, and emergency options for mothers in crisis.