Mum who 'dumped minutes-old baby in bin' tells police it was 'best option'

A mum has been charged with attempted murderafter allegedly placing her newborn son in a bin just minutes after giving birth - later telling policeshe believed abandoning the child in the rubbish was her “best option.”

Taylor Sierra Dickinson, 28, is accused of tying her baby boy in a bin bag and leaving him in a waste container in the town of Sun Valley, Nevada, US, where he was discovered nearly 10 hours later by a passer-by who heard crying and climbed into the bin to rescue him. The baby was taken to Renown Regional Medical Center and is now in a stable condition, according to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.

“This child is alive today because of the swift and selfless actions of a community member who didn’t hesitate to help,” said Sheriff Darin Balaam in a statement. “We’re incredibly grateful for their courage and quick thinking. I also want to remind our community that there are safe and legal options for anyone in crisis, no baby should ever be left in danger.”

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Dickinson, who is married and already has two other children, was arrested on Sunday and is now facing multiple charges including attempted murder, child abuse, and neglect or endangerment. She is being held on a $1million cash-only bail (£740,000).

During a bail hearing on Wednesday, Washoe County Sheriff’s Detective Claire Hoops-Adams gave testimony outlining Dickinson’s alleged account of the incident. “She had no knowledge of the gender, whether the child was breathing or moving,” the detective said. “According to her, the infant was wrapped completely in the towel and placed in the garbage bag. In her panic, she thought that was her best option.”

Hoops-Adams also said Dickinson claimed she didn’t realise she was pregnant when she gave birth in a nearby bathroom on July 5, and reacted in a state of “panic and shock.”

The detective told the court that Dickinson admitted she did not want any more children and had hoped someone would find the infant. “She stated that she had no desire to have any more children, stating her family financially was living paycheck to paycheck at that point and they could not support an additional child,” Hoops-Adams said.

She added that Dickinson had previously miscarried in 2023 and admitted to leaving the foetus in a garbage can.

Police are reminding the public that Nevada’s Safe Haven Law allows parents to legally and safely surrender infants up to 30 days old at any hospital, fire station, or law enforcement agency - no questions asked.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing.