Riverside police officer highlights role of scientific advancements in 37-year-old cold case arrest (2024)

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Editor's note:WCNC Charlottehas chosen to use this mugshot because of the nature of the case.

On Oct. 13, 1987, a man rummaging for recyclables in Riverside, California, made a tragic discovery: a newborn baby girl, dead inside a dumpster.

Detectives with the Riverside Police Department worked hard to try to solve the case. But all leads would be exhausted, and the case would go cold for nearly 37 years.

The tide turned, however, when the department formed its Homicide Cold Case Unit in 2020 and reopened the case.

Officer Ryan Railsback with Riverside Police said his father was on the force at that time and it has been an ongoing conversation since.

"This was during the peak of his time," Railsback said. “He was a motorcop, he remembers going by there at some point. It’s not common at all in today's world that you find a child, let alone a newborn baby left for dead.”

Railsback said the case went cold after years of efforts.

“Back in the 80s and 90s we didn’t have video surveillance," He said. "There was no type of DNA analysis when you had a victim.” 

After nearly 40 years, there have been scientific advancements and more funding, which has allowed them to reopen dozens of cases.

“In 2020, our police department had the staffing and resources to form a cold case homicide unit to go back and look at old cold cases," Railsback said. "We exhumed the baby’s body, pulled the DNA and through the most advanced DNA technology, and genealogy, we were able to confirm who the mother was.” 

On Aug. 8, 2024, Riverside Police announced it had made an arrest in the case thanks to DNA testing. The baby's mother was identified as 55-year-old Melissa Jean Allen Avila. Avila was 19 years old at the time of her daughter's death. Detectives said they don't believe the baby girl's father had any criminal culpability in the case.

Once Avila was identified as the suspect, detectives partnered with the U.S. Marshals to find Avila. She was eventually located in Shelby, North Carolina -- about 46 miles west of Charlotte and more than 2,300 miles east of Riverside.

Avila was arrested on Aug. 5. She has since been extradited to California and remains in jail on a $1.1 million bond. She's charged with murder.

Riverside Police said several agencies worked together to make Avila's arrest possible, from the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina and partners in California to the nonprofit known as Season of Justice. The department said Season of Justice provides financial help via grant funding to help families and law enforcement agencies utilize advanced DNA analysis tools and forensic genealogy to crack cold cases. Othram Inc., a private lab that specializes in DNA technology, conducted the analysis.

“Thanks to the persistent efforts of our investigators and partners, this victim now has an identity, bringing resolution to the case,” Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said. “We will remain dedicated to seeking justice for homicide victims and ensuring their families find closure.”

While Avila has been arrested, Riverside Police noted detectives are still accepting information on the case. Tips can be shared by calling (951)320-8000 or by emailing homicidecoldcase@riversideca.gov.

If your loved one was impacted by this incident, WCNC Charlotte hopes to make this process less painful with our More Than A Number initiative. With your help, we want to share who your loved one was with our viewers in North Carolina and South Carolina. When you're ready, fill out the form below or send us photos, memories and other details about them to desk@wcnc.com.