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SOURCE: Mother gave birth shortly before discarding baby in dumpster

Posted at 12:01 AM, May 30, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-30 08:41:07-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - A high-ranking Richmond police source said the 27-year-old woman accused ofplacing a newborn baby in a dumpster had given birth in the bathroom of her Monument Avenue office building just prior to discarding the baby.

ShaVaughn Robinson is charged with felony concealment of a body, but detectives said those charges could be upgraded.

“We’re consulting with the Commonwealth Attorney’s office on additional charges,” Richmond Police Captain Emmett Williams said. “The medical examiner did rule the infant’s death as a homicide.”

Police found the baby’s body Tuesday night around 8 p.m. in an alley dumpster behind the Lee Medical building, on the 1800 block of Monument Avenue

Robinson’s uncle told CBS 6 that his niece is a loving and supportive mother to her 4-year-old son. The man, who identified himself only as Mr. Robinson, said his niece worked two jobs to support her family.

Robinson said he had no idea that his niece was pregnant.

ShaVaughn Robinson’s boss at Massage Envy, another location where Robinson was employed, also said he was unaware that Robinson was expecting.

Kent Swarts released a statement to CBS 6 that read:

“On behalf of Massage Envy, we are very sorry to hear about these circumstances involving Ms. Robinson.  The clinic will fully cooperate with the police department if necessary and she is suspended pending this investigation.”

Robinson’s fiancé wrote a message of support on his Twitter account Wednesday evening.  He tweeted, “Everything is a test.  Every day is a blessing.  Every move can change Ur life.  I believe everybody deserves forgiveness and I forgive u.”

Robinson will appear in Richmond’s Juvenile and Domestic Relation’s Court on Thursday morning.