A Texas woman is facing a criminal charge after reportedly leaving her infant wrapped in plastic in a garbage and telling police she did so to save her relationship with her boyfriend.
Everilda Cux-Ajtzalam, 18, was arrested and charged with a felony of leaving a child in Harris County, Texas, on Sunday, July 21, according to a charging document acquired by PEOPLE.
Cux-Ajtzalam, a food truck employee, allegedly gave birth to her baby “on the ground” behind the truck where she works in Houston, according to a probable cause affidavit. According to officials, the infant was born on the same day that it was discovered.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Cux-Ajtzalam then allegedly placed the infant into a garbage bag with the child’s umbilical cord and placenta before dropping the child into a dumpster.
The child, who was allegedly left “tied inside the trash bag,” was saved by a passerby who heard the infant cry and contacted 911, according to investigators.
Cux-Ajtzalam was arrested later this week, according to officials.
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During the inquiry, she allegedly told police she “had no other choice” than to dispose of the infant in this way “because she didn’t want her boyfriend to break up with her,” according to the affidavit.
Police stated the event was caught on nearby security footage, but did not provide any other information.
The infant was transferred to a local hospital, according to the complaint.
“It was pure luck that the child was found and received care,” a judge stated during Cux-Ajtzalam’s court appearance on Friday.
A Harris County magistrate has granted a protective order against Cux-Ajtzalam, preventing her from going within 200 feet of the child, according to an emergency protection application reviewed by PEOPLE.
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Cux-Ajtzalam has not yet filed a plea. A lawyer mentioned in court documents told PEOPLE they are currently analyzing the matter, which was assigned to them this morning.
Cux-Ajtzalam is being held under a $200,000 bond, according to officials.
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in over 170 languages.