A newborn girl left in a Dumpster “like common household trash” died of asphyxiation, a Richmond prosecutor said today at a bond hearing for the child’s mother.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Janae Craddock also told a judge that the mother, Shavaughn Robinson, told the police: “I don’t want people thinking I killed that baby for nothing.”
It was unclear what Robinson meant by the comment.
At today’s hearing, Craddock asked that Robinson be held without bond, arguing that she gave birth to the baby girl last week in a bathroom in an office building on Monument Avenue and left the child in a plastic trash bag in a Dumpster behind the building.
Craddock also said that Robinson, who is charged with felony concealment of a dead body, will be facing additional charges and is considered a flight risk. The police have labeled the infant’s death as a homicide.
Po Chau, a supervising assistant public defender, asked the judge to set a “reasonable bond.”
Chau described Robinson, 27, as a hard worker with strong family backing who, if released on bond, would be staying with her 70-year-old grandmother in Richmond.
“There is no evidence of her being a flight risk,” Chau said.
Judge Angela E. Roberts of Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court set bond for Robinson at $10,000. Craddock told the judge that the prosecution will appeal the decision. Another bond hearing could be held this week in Richmond Circuit Court.
Craddock said that Robinson gave birth last Tuesday in a bathroom at the Lee Medical Building, where she worked as a massage therapist. Craddock said Robinson was seen cleaning up blood in a bathroom stall.
“Her only concern was cleaning up her mess,” Craddock said.
Robinson also told a cleaning woman she was having stomach problems, according to a janitor who works at the building.
Robinson put her child in a trash can in the bathroom, put some paper towels on top, tied the trash bag closed and left it in the Dumpster, Craddock said.
A janitor found the body that evening and called 911.
