Honk News (Memphis, TN) – A Tennessee man faces multiple charges following allegations that he impregnated a 16-year-old girl and discarded the newborn in a gas station dumpster after the birth.
A grand jury has indicted James Boothe, 45, on multiple serious charges, including two counts related to trafficking for commercial sex acts, promoting prostitution involving minors aged 12 to 18, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and aggravated statutory rape.
On January 27, at approximately 9 a.m., officers from the Memphis police initiated an investigation following a suspicious call in the 3100 block of Teakrock Lane, located within the Flairwood Apartments. A 16-year-old girl approached the police and reported that her friend, referred to as “James,” had just dropped her off after she had given birth approximately two hours earlier, according to a criminal complaint. The man was subsequently identified by the police as Boothe.
The young woman informed the authorities Boothe was taking her to the hospital as she went into labor. While on the road, she welcomed a baby girl into the world. A teenager has claimed that Boothe removed the baby from the seat, put the body into a black plastic bag, and discarded the remains in a dumpster located behind a Shell gas station at 1312 E. Shelby Drive. According to police reports, she claimed to have been in a “relationship” with Boothe for three years.
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Authorities arrived at the gas station and discovered the lifeless infant in a bag situated within the dumpster. The cause of death for the baby has not been disclosed by the police at this time. Footage captured a man matching Boothe’s description arriving in a dark Infiniti SUV, approaching the dumpster, and disposing of a black plastic bag, as stated in the complaint. Authorities reported that Boothe possesses an Infiniti QX5.
Authorities found Boothe, who allegedly confessed to taking the girl from her residence to his own. Boothe was initially confronted with a charge related to the abuse of a corpse prior to the indictment that occurred last week. Authorities have yet to disclose information regarding the charges related to trafficking and prostitution.
Boothe is currently held at the Shelby County Jail with a bond set at $1.25 million.