Dead Infant Found in Motel Cooler

On December 28th, Dallas Police Child Abuse Detectives were contacted for a welfare check on a 3 week old infant by a Special Investigator with Child Protective Services.

Officers made contact with the family at a Days Inn Motel and began their investigation. The infant was located inside of a blue cooler in the motel room.

The medical examiner's report concerning cause and manner of death has not yet been released and the investigation is ongoing.

On Friday, January 3rd, 32 year old Felicia Vasquez was arrested for Tampering with Evidence – concealing a human corpse.  37 year old Arturo Espinoza had already been taken into custody on an unrelated charge.  One count of Tampering with Evidence – concealing a human corpse was added to his charges.  Both remain in custody at the Dallas County Jail.

According to WFAA Vasquez allegedly told officers that the infant died after she placed him on the bed and went to take a shower. The arrest-warrant affidavit stated that she stated he was not breathing and unresponsive when she checked on him and that she had attempted CPR.  She stated that Espinoza had returned to the room at that time and became hysterical, refusing to call 911 for fear of losing their 1 and 2 year old children due to an already ongoing matter with CPS.

According to KXAS, those children have been placed into foster care.  The couple reportedly has seven other children already living with other family members.

Police asked anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Foreman or Sergeant Vaughn at 214-275-1300.