A woman in Texas has been arrested after allegedly giving birth in the bathroom of a 24-hour fast-food restaurant and leaving the baby’s body in the toilet.
The woman, identified as Mallori Patrice Strait, is now facing charges for abusing a corpse. She is currently held in San Antonio’s Bexar County Jail, with her bond set at $100,000. According to court documents, the incident happened at a Whataburger located at the corner of FM 78 and Walzem Road.
Employees at the restaurant told authorities that Strait arrived around midnight on Thursday. Around 2 a.m., she locked herself in the restroom and stayed there for several hours. Staff members heard unusual noises coming from the bathroom and became concerned. They tried to help by giving her water and offering assistance, but she refused to come out. Eventually, they called 911 for help.
When deputies from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office arrived, they detained Strait. Firefighters who also responded made a disturbing discovery in the restroom—what they described as “human-like material.” Inside the toilet, they found a baby girl still in the amniotic sac.
Emergency responders rushed both Strait and the baby to the hospital, but tragically, doctors pronounced the baby girl dead. Medical professionals estimated Strait was about 28 to 30 weeks into her pregnancy. The affidavit also noted injuries on the baby’s head, suggesting she may have been forced down the toilet. On the way to the hospital, Strait reportedly told first responders, “I’m sorry, I’m not selfish.”
An autopsy is being conducted to determine the exact cause of the baby’s death. Authorities have said that if it’s found the baby was harmed, additional charges could be brought against Strait.
In Texas, the Safe Haven Law, also known as the Baby Moses Law, allows parents who cannot care for their newborns to safely leave them at a hospital or fire station within 60 days of birth, no questions asked. This law is meant to provide a safe option for parents in desperate situations and to prevent tragedies like this one.
