Alhambra Woman Charged with Murder in Death of Newborn Girl

Alhambra Woman Charged with
Murder in Death of Newborn Girl

December 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Joe Scott, Director of Communications
Sandi Gibbons, Public Information Officer
Jane Robison, News Secretary
(213) 974-3525

ALHAMBRA – A 41-year-old Alhambra woman suspected of leaving her newborn girl near railroad tracks in March was charged today with murder and assault on a child causing death, the District Attorney’s office announced.

Tonya Mae Schaefer, (dob 4-1-65), is scheduled to be arraigned after 1:30 p.m. in Alhambra Superior Court, Division 5, said Deputy District Attorney Patricia Wilkinson with the Family Violence Division. Schaefer is charged in case No. GA066704. She is being held on $1 million bail.

The infant’s body was discovered March 12 south of Mission Road near Freemont Avenue. The baby, with the umbilical cord still attached, had been wrapped in plastic shopping bags and thrown over a chain-link fence, landing near the train tracks, officials said.

Alhambra police launched an intensive investigation that culminated in Schaefer’s arrest on Wednesday.

Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian with the Family Violence Division has been assigned to prosecute the case.

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