Overview
- Yolo County deputies responded to a tip and found a seven-day-old infant living in a makeshift tent beneath the I‑5 overpass near County Road 19A, and the baby was removed for medical evaluation on Sept. 9.
- Investigators documented hazardous conditions that included suspected methamphetamine smoking pipes, accumulated trash, rotten food, vomit on a mattress, sleeping on dirt without bedding, and feces inside a baby carrier.
- Paramedics took the newborn to Woodland Memorial Hospital and the infant was later transferred to a Sacramento County neonatal intensive care unit; officials have not released details about the child's medical condition.
- Both parents, identified as Fernando Esparza and Melissa Rivera, were arrested on suspicion of child endangerment; Rivera pleaded not guilty, was released under court supervision, and has a hearing set for Oct. 13 while Esparza’s immediate custody status remains unclear.
- Yolo County Child Welfare Services placed the baby into protective custody and investigators noted the mother’s placenta and umbilical cord were found in a nearby trash bag, setting up parallel criminal and welfare reviews that will determine custody and potential charges.