Man accused of throwing newborn in dumpster pleads not guilty
Mar 13, 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The man accused of throwing a newborn baby into a dumpster back in January pleaded not guilty to five new charges including statutory rape on Thursday.
James Boothe Jr. was indicted on five new charges in connection to his alleged relationship with a 16-year-old girl, which came
to light after police say a man was caught on camera throwing a baby away in a dumpster behind a gas station after the teen gave birth.
Man accused of putting baby in dumpster charged with statutory rape, trafficking
Boothe was indicted on two counts of trafficking for a commercial sex act, promoting prostitution of a minor, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and aggravated statutory rape.
He is now being held on a $1 million bond.
In court on Thursday, Boothe told a judge he would not be able to afford an attorney, so he was appointed a public defender. He pleaded not guilty on all charges.
Boothe was previously charged with abuse of a corpse, but the charge was dropped after records cited a "lack of prosecution."
A video was released after the incident, showing a man throwing a bag away in the dumpster. Investigators said a newborn baby was found dead inside.
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It was later revealed that moments before Boothe was seen behind the Whitehaven gas station, a 16-year-old girl had just given birth to the child.
Police said the girl was with Boothe just before he put the baby in the dumpster, and she allegedly told investigators that she and Boothe had been involved in a relationship for three years.
James Boothe is scheduled to be back in court on April 22. ...read more read less