Judge reduces bond for teen accused of killing her newborn child

A judge reduced bond Friday for a teen accused of killing her newborn child.

Erica Gomez, wearing a red jail jumpsuit, stood quietly before Jail Magistrate Judge James Callan hoping to get her $800,000 reduced.

Gomez was arrested Feb. 24 for the alleged murder of her newborn baby and charged with capital murder.

El Paso Sheriff’s Office investigators claim she gave birth to the child at home and placed the newborn in a shack behind her home.

Deputies conducted a welfare check on Gomez 12 hours later and discovered the dead baby. Detectives reported the child also had what appeared to be stab wounds to its neck.

The official autopsy report had yet to be released.

Gomez’s defense attorney told Callan that her client was a scared minor who didn’t know she was pregnant and gave birth in the toilet. She also told the judge Gomez had health issues after a 2016 ATV rollover and was currently taking anti-psychotic and anti-depression medicines.

The defense attorney added the Gomez family wouldn’t be able to raise more than $200,000 for bail and asked she be released on her own personal recognizance.

Gomez’s mother cried in the courtroom as other family members hugged her and awaited the judge’s ruling.

Callan lowered Gomez’s bail to $500,000, adding Gomez would have to abide by a curfew and undergo neurological and alcohol evaluations.