Pamela Allen has been a special needs child advocate for 16 years. Christmas 2013 was her greatest test.
"Noel was born on December 20," said Allen. "He later died where he was strangled by his mother."
The infant was called "Baby Noel." It evokes horrific memories for San Antonio. He was found by a worker at a waste management facility, in a duffle bag, and tossed in the trash. Police determined the child was strangled and discarded by his mother.
Allen's family and other organizations stepped up to bury him.
"My husband and I decided that we can't let this baby's final resting place be at a waste management facility," she says.
She even adopted his remains to make sure he would rest in peace.
Police arrested the child's mother in late January. Nidia Alvarado was charged with capital murder.
Allen came out to a back to school bash at Summit Christian Center with Noel story. She talks openly about his mother never naming him and signing over parental rights to the baby's body. Her purpose, however, was to remind women about Texas' Safe Haven law.
In fact, she's calling it the Baby Noel campaign. It will run through Dec 20.
"We just want to make sure that moms are aware of their choices and that this doesn't happen again in this city," said Allen.
Texas' Safe Haven law was adopted in 1999. Mothers who do not want their child within 60 days of birth can drop the baby off at a hospital, police department, fire station. or EMS facility baring the Safe Haven Logo.
