Mother Accused Of Leaving Newborn In Trash Held On $100K Bail

BOSTON — A woman who prosecutors said left her newborn baby in a trash can was arraigned Monday on a charge of attempted murder.

Marie Merisier, 33, was held on $100,000 bail at her arraignment in Dorchester Municipal Court. A not guilty plea was entered on her behalf.

Suffolk County prosecutors said Merisier gave birth Friday in the bathroom of a Dorchester apartment. A resident said he heard a baby crying from inside Merisier's leather bag as she left the apartment, prosecutors said. That person called 911.

A security camera captured Merisier removing something from her bag and putting it in a trash barrel outside a Dorchester Avenue restaurant, prosecutors said.

Someone heard the baby's cries and flagged down an ambulance to help. Responders found a knotted plastic bag with the baby inside.

The baby and Merisier were brought to the hospital.

Prosecutors said Merisier has mental health struggles, according to The Boston Globe. Her attorney said she poses no threat and recently lost her job at a restaurant that closed due to the pandemic.

Merisier was ordered to stay away from the baby and any witnesses and remain under home confinement with a GPS if she is released on bail.

The baby will be "hopefully able to thrive," Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins said in a statement.

"Although some may not be able to imagine the amount of pain, fear, disassociation, or mental anguish one must be experiencing to engage in the behavior we alleged [Merisier] did, it is very real," Rollins said.

Under the Safe Haven Act, parents who do are not able to care for a child can legally surrender their child up to seven days old at any hospital, police station or open and staffed fire station.