Memphis, Tennessee – A 45-year-old Memphis man is under arrest facing severe charges after police say he impregnated a 16-year-old girl, then discarded their newborn in a gas station dumpster. James Boothe, facing accusations from human trafficking to aggravated statutory rape, was formally indicted recently, following a distressing series of events that started to unravel in late January.
The case began to unfold on January 27, when Memphis police investigated reports of suspicious activity at the Flairwood Apartments. It was there they met a distressed 16-year-old who claimed that a man, whom she referred to as “James,” had left her shortly after she gave birth. Court documents later verified the man as James Boothe.
The teenager shared with the authorities a harrowing tale. While en route to a hospital as she was in labor, she delivered a baby girl in Boothe’s vehicle. Horrifically, she described how Boothe then placed the baby in a plastic bag and disposed of it in a dumpster at a nearby Shell station on East Shelby Drive.
According to the teen, her connection with Boothe spanned over three years, a relationship marred by continued abuse and exploitation. Following her report, police were able to recover the body of the newborn from the dumpster. Surveillance from the area supported the girl’s account, capturing footage of a figure, matching Boothe’s description, abandoning a black bag where the child was found.
Investigators quickly linked the vehicle seen in the footage to Boothe – a dark Infiniti SUV which he owned. Boothe was apprehended and during initial questioning, admitted to retrieving the teenager from her residence on the day in question.
Originally, Boothe faced charges related to the improper handling of a corpse. However, as the investigation deepened, authorities expanded the charges significantly to include trafficking for commercial sex acts, promoting prostitution involving minors, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and aggravated statutory rape. Detailed specifics of the trafficking and prostitution allegations remain undisclosed by law enforcement.
Currently detained at the Shelby County Jail, Boothe’s bond has been set at $1.25 million as he awaits further legal proceedings. This case highlights ongoing challenges in combatting sexual exploitation and trafficking, reminding the local community of the vigilance needed to protect its most vulnerable members.