Juana’s Story  Juana*

A 19-year old Latina, and her husband Frank, a 20-year old African American, lived with Frank’s parents in a middle class neighborhood in East Los Angeles. Juana and Frank were married two years prior, shortly after Juana became pregnant with their daughter, Julie. Neither Juana’s or Frank’s parents were pleased when Juana became pregnant because the couple had plans to attend college, and these plans were thwarted by their early parenthood. Frank’s parents agreed to let the young couple and child live in their home but did not hesitate to express their displeasure that they had to financially support the couple. 

Although Juana and Frank were careful, Juana again became pregnant. The couple was terrified that both sets of parents would be angry with them, as the couple could not afford to care for Julie let alone a new baby. Juana would not consider abortion as it violated her religious beliefs and, although the couple discussed adoption, they made no efforts to contact an adoption agency. They later stated that they “just wished it would go away.” They hid Juana’s pregnancy and told no one of her condition.  

Juana went into labor in her eighth month of pregnancy while Frank was out playing pool with friends. She gave birth by herself in her bathroom, cut the umbilical cord and wrapped her newborn son tightly in plastic bags to prevent him from crying. After her in-laws had gone to bed, she placed the plastic bag in a trash dumpster near their home. The infant was found deceased in the dumpster by a transient who notified law enforcement. Coroner records indicate that the child died of asphyxiation and caregiver neglect and the death was classified as a homicide. Juana was eventually located by police who traced her by way of a receipt found in the plastic bag in which the infant died. She was arrested for Penal Code 187, murder, and awaits trial at this time. 

*Names have been changed.