Justice was served today, nearly two decades after the heartbreaking discovery of "Baby Hope Medina," a newborn girl found lifeless on a desolate Medina County road. Maricela V. Frausto, the baby’s biological mother, has accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 18 years in prison for her role in the tragic death of her daughter.
On the night of September 20, 2004, Medina County deputies discovered the abandoned body of the infant, who was soon named "Baby Hope" by law enforcement and the local community. The name symbolized a shared determination to seek justice for the voiceless child. Investigators vowed that Baby Hope’s case would not be forgotten.
“This case has weighed heavily on this community for 20 years,” said Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown. “The day Baby Hope was found, she became a part of us, a reminder of our duty to stand for the innocent and the voiceless. Today, with this conviction, that promise is fulfilled.”
Advancements in forensic technology, coupled with years of relentless investigative efforts, led to Frausto’s arrest in 2023. Charged initially with capital murder, Frausto faced the possibility of a harsher sentence but agreed to plead guilty as part of the negotiated agreement. She will serve her sentence in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility.
Medina County District Attorney Mark Haby highlighted the challenges of prosecuting cold cases, saying, “The passage of time only increases the difficulties, but the miraculous advancement of forensic science made this case possible to bring forward. Today’s sentence ensures some measure of justice for Baby Hope and her community.”
Frausto’s conviction represents the culmination of nearly two decades of work by the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, forensic experts, and dedicated investigators. Key funding for advanced forensic testing was provided by the nonprofit organization Season of Justice. Cutting-edge DNA analysis performed by Identifinders International played a crucial role in identifying Frausto and bringing the case to resolution.
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office extended its gratitude to all who contributed to the investigation, including law enforcement officers, forensic scientists, and the community members whose support ensured that Baby Hope’s memory would endure.
“This closure honors the hard work of everyone involved while bringing accountability to those responsible,” Sheriff Brown said. “Although no sentence can undo the pain caused by this tragedy, today’s plea provides a resolution to a case that has profoundly impacted our community.”
Baby Hope’s story has touched countless lives, inspiring compassion and resolve in the face of tragedy. The Medina County community stood united for two decades, ensuring that the newborn girl’s life and memory would never be forgotten.
