Teen gives birth on way to hospital, then man puts newborn in dumpster, TN cops say

A pregnant 16-year-old delivered her baby on the way to a hospital, then the 45-year-old man she was with abandoned the infant in a gas station dumpster, Tennessee authorities said.

The Memphis Police Department reported that officers found the newborn dead.

James Boothe is now charged with abuse of a corpse and may face additional charges including child rape, according to documents filed in Shelby County.

Police said they responded to a “suspicious call” the morning of Jan. 27 and found a baby’s body in a dumpster behind a Shell gas station.

After interviewing the 16-year-old, police learned Boothe may have been abusing the girl for three years, bond screening documents show. The 16-year-old told police she had been involved with Boothe for about three years, bond screening documents show.

Tennessee’s Safe Haven Law is designed to prevent parents from abandoning their children in this manner.

”As long as the baby is unharmed and the child is surrendered within two weeks of birth, the mother — or parents — will not be prosecuted and is assured of complete confidentiality,” according to the state’s Department of Children Services.

Boothe was booked in jail on a $250,000 bond.

This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 12:27 PM with the headline "Teen gives birth on way to hospital, then man puts newborn in dumpster, TN cops say."