South Florida Mother Who Tossed Newborn Baby in Dumpster Sentenced to Prison

A mother who pleaded guilty to tossing her newborn baby girl in a Boca Raton dumpster over three years ago will spend years behind bars.

Rafaelle Sousa, 38, entered the plea and was sentenced Wednesday to seven and a half years behind bars. She will be credited with three years served and will spend five years on probation after she is released.

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Sousa admitted to delivering the baby before placing her in a bag and throwing it in the dumpster of the Boca Raton complex on May 8, 2019.

Rafaelle Sousa was arrested after police say they put her newborn baby in a dumpster in Boca Raton.

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Palm Beach Sheriff's Office officials said the newborn weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and had her umbilical cord still attached. A lieutenant with the sheriff's office said the baby is "cute as a button."

Authorities said the baby was found by two people who were walking near an apartment complex when they heard what sounded like a baby crying. The girl was taken to a local hospital to get checked out.

Custody of the baby was given to her father.