Fort Worth Mother Charged With Capital Murder After Infant Found in Bag Near Dumpster; Boyfriend Also Arrested
FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth mother has been charged with capital murder in the death of her infant daughter, who was discovered inside a bag near a dumpster on the city's west side Sunday night, October 18, 2026.
Avia Cantrell faces a charge of Capital Murder of a Person Under Ten Years of Age, with bond set at $2 million. Her boyfriend, Camron Baker, has been charged with Abuse of a Corpse Without Legal Authority. No bond amount has been set for Baker.
The Fort Worth Police Department confirmed that its investigation determined the infant's death was a homicide.
The baby girl was discovered near a dumpster in the 7300 block of Camp Bowie Boulevard by a woman searching through the dumpster.
Police and emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures before transporting the infant to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Woman Searching Near Dumpster Discovers Infant Girl
On Sunday, October 18, at approximately 8:41 p.m., Fort Worth police officers assigned to the West Division responded to an investigation call in the 7300 block of Camp Bowie Boulevard.
According to police, a woman searching through a dumpster discovered an infant inside a bag near the dumpster.
Witnesses told responding officers that the baby appeared to be deceased.
Officers and Fort Worth Fire Department emergency medical personnel immediately attempted to revive the infant.
The baby was transported to a local hospital, where medical personnel pronounced her dead.
Surveillance Footage Helps Detectives Identify Suspects
Detectives with the Fort Worth Police Department's Crimes Against Children Unit launched an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the infant's death.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from nearby cameras and gathered additional evidence.
Through those investigative efforts, detectives identified the child's mother as Avia Cantrell and her boyfriend as Camron Baker.
Police subsequently located and arrested both individuals.
The investigation has since determined that the infant's death was a homicide, according to authorities.
Mother Charged With Capital Murder, Held on $2 Million Bond
Cantrell was arrested and booked into the Lou Evans Corrections Center in Fort Worth on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
She faces a charge of Capital Murder of a Person Under Ten Years of Age.
Her bond was set at $2 million.
Under Texas law, capital murder charges can apply when a person intentionally or knowingly causes the death of a child younger than 10 years old, provided the statutory requirements for the offense are met.
Boyfriend Charged With Abuse of a Corpse
Cantrell's boyfriend, Camron Baker, was also arrested in connection with the investigation.
Baker faces a charge of Abuse of a Corpse Without Legal Authority.
According to jail records, no bond amount has been set for Baker.
Medical Examiner Investigating Infant's Cause of Death
Although investigators have determined that the infant's death was a homicide, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office is responsible for determining the official medical cause and manner of death.
Police have not publicly disclosed the cause of death or whether the infant suffered any specific injuries.
Additional findings from the medical examiner could provide more information about the circumstances surrounding the child's death.
The investigation is ongoing.
