South Carolina restaurant workers arrested after allegedly throwing newborn baby in trash
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Estela Ruiz-Gomez (L) and Lorenza Gomez Rodriguez, were arrested after allegedly threw her newborn in the trash at the Greenville restaurant they both worked at. (Greenville County Sheriff's Office)
Two women were arrested in South Carolina after a newborn baby fell out of a hole in a trashbag at a Mexican restaurant and later died, authorities said.
Estela Ruiz-Gomez, 19, gave birth in the bathroom of La Parrilla restaurant on July 12, and the baby's grandmother, Lorenza Gomez Rodriguez, 41, knew about it, officials from the Greenville Police Department said.
An employee taking the trash out later that day noticed the bag was heavier than usual and dragged it across the parking lot.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Authorities responded to an emergency call from the restaurant reporting that a newborn was in cardiac arrest.
Officers said they answered a call at La Parrilla for a newborn in cardiac arrest. Polce said the mother gave birth to the baby in the bathroom, according to Fox Carolina.
The newborn was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Hospital officials said they could not determine the cause of the child's death but said dirt and gravel were found on the baby's body.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}La Parilla Restaurant (Google Street View)
Coroners returned to the restaurant for further investigation. Employees there told them that both Ruiz-Gomez and Rodriguez work at the restaurant.
Ruiz-Gomez took a break during her shift bussing tables, complaining of a stomach ache. When Rodriguez went to check on her, she returned from the bathroom saying the Ruiz-Gomez needed to go to the hospital.
After they left the bathroom, an employee emptied the trash in the restrooms and, as she was dragging the bag across the parking lot, it tore open and the newborn fell out onto the pavement, police told Fox Carolina.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The baby's father, who was at the restaurant, retrieved the newborn and brought him inside where EMS was called to the scene. The newborn’s death has been ruled a homicide by local authorities.