A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the first-degree murder of a woman and endangerment of a baby, authorities announced Friday.

In March 2018, a couple driving near 83rd Avenue and Camelback Road found a 7-month-old baby in a car seat on the side of the road, along with Jasmine Dunbar’s ID and several other items, according to a release from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

“After tracking down Ms. Dunbar’s family members, Phoenix police learned that on the same day the baby was found at the side of the road, (Antwaun) Ware was on his way with Ms. Dunbar to take a paternity test,” the release stated.

“Phoenix police detectives retraced Ware’s steps and discovered he drove to a field near 107th Avenue and Camelback Road where he killed Ms. Dunbar and set her body on fire.”

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell applauded the work of prosecutors and said:  “To the people who rescued this baby, I say ‘thank you.’ This child is alive today because of your heroic actions.”

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