Teen charged with capital murder of newborn baby

An El Paso teen is charged with capital murder after the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says her newborn baby was found dead inside a storage shed.

At around 7pm on February 9, 2018, deputies were conducting a welfare check in reference to an infant on the 13000 block of Frankie Lane.

“We saw like, three state troopers arrive, and like five sheriffs arrive too,” said one neighbor who didn’t wish to be identified, fearing for their safety.

According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation determined 17-year-old Erica Gomez gave birth to a baby girl inside her home. Investigators say Gomez immediately wrapped the baby in a bathrobe and placed her inside a shed on the property.

“I saw her a couple times at the bus stop and stuff, but no, she never looked pregnant,” said the neighbor.

Investigators say the infant was found dead 12 hours later. The investigation also revealed the infant suffered a stab wound and lacerations to her neck and body, officials said. Neighbors told ABC-7 the discoveries that night deeply affected at least one crime scene investigator.

“I saw her walk out and she was like hugging their dog, and petting it, and one of her partners came out and saw that she was sad,” said the neighbor.

Erica Gomez was placed under arrest on Friday and charged with Capital Murder. She was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under an $800,000.00 bond.

If know any pregnant teenager who needs help you can follow this link, or contact the Hospitals of Providence at (915) 577-6011 and ask for the Women and Teen Resource Center.