Crime
Man Arrested After Newborn Found Dead in Dumpster Behind Memphis Gas Station
Boothe has been arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse.
MEMPHIS, TN – A Memphis man has been arrested in connection with the tragic discovery of a newborn baby inside a dumpster behind a gas station, authorities confirmed.
According to the Memphis Police Department (MPD), 45-year-old James Boothe was transporting a juvenile girl under the age of 18 to the hospital when she unexpectedly gave birth.
Instead of seeking medical assistance for the infant, Boothe allegedly placed the newborn inside a dumpster behind a Shell gas station on East Shelby Drive.
Law enforcement officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of the abandoned infant, but tragically, the baby had already died before authorities arrived.
A nearby gas station owner, who first made the heartbreaking discovery, reported seeing the infant’s body inside the dumpster.
The business owner also provided police with surveillance footage showing a man discarding a trash bag into the dumpster.
While the footage suggests the infant may have been inside the bag, police have not yet determined the official cause of death.
The baby’s mother was transported to a hospital in non-critical condition, though additional details about her identity and medical status have not been released.
Boothe has been arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse.
At this time, no further charges have been announced as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
The case remains under active investigation by the Memphis Police Department. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact law enforcement.
City of Hammond, Louisiana — At approximately 11:50 p.m. on February 24, 2026, officers with the Hammond Police Department responded to a report of shots fired involving one possible victim.
Upon arrival, officers located a 14-year-old juvenile female, identified as Tyronai Reed, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Emergency medical assistance was rendered at the scene, and she was transported to North Oaks Health System for treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Reed later succumbed to her injuries.
Detectives assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigations Division launched an immediate homicide investigation.
During the course of their investigation, authorities identified 18-year-old Demontez Treyvon “Trey” Robinson of Hammond as a suspect in the shooting.
While actively working the case, officers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and conducted a traffic stop.
Robinson was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident.
Robinson was transported to the Criminal Investigations Division for questioning. According to investigators, Robinson admitted that the firearm discharged while he was handling or “playing with” it, resulting in the single round striking the 14-year-old victim.
Robinson was subsequently booked into the Hammond City Jail on one count of Negligent Homicide.
Authorities emphasize that the investigation remains in its early stages and additional details may be released as they become available.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Corey Morse with the Hammond Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 985-277-5758 or via email at morse_cm@hammond.org. Tips may also be submitted through the department’s official Facebook page or anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245.
Individuals providing information may be eligible for a cash reward. Authorities urge members of the community to assist in the ongoing investigation.