Woman arrested 16 years after newborn baby girl found dead in California dumpster: police


A Colorado woman is facing a murder charge 16 years after a newborn baby girl was found dead in a dumpster in California, according to authorities.

The Union City Police Department said they recently cracked the cold case and identified the suspect as 46-year-old Angela Onduto, of Denver, Colorado.

The newborn, lovingly named Matea Esperanza by UCPD officers — a name meaning ‘Gift from God’ in Hebrew and ‘Hope’ in Spanish — was discovered by a man searching for recyclables,” police said Thursday in a news release.

The discovery led to an extensive and challenging investigation that remained open and active for more than a decade,” police added.

Authorities said the gruesome discovery was made outside Parkside Apartments in the San Francisco Bay Area on May 18, 2009. Since then, they’ve been hunting for the person who left the infant behind.

They said detectives eventually developed leads on suspects thanks to advanced DNA analysis on evidence that was collected in 2009.

At the time, police said Onduto had previously been identified as a person of interest, but “charges were initially withheld pending further forensic analysis and a detailed review of the medical examiner’s findings.”

Now, Onduto is facing a murder charge after she was taken into custody by the Denver Police Department on July 2. Detectives are working to extradite her to Alameda County, where court proceedings will continue.

Police said they are grateful they found justice for Matea, as well as closure for the community.

Matea’s memory continues to resonate within Union City,” according to authorities. :In 2017, the Union City Police Officers Association purchased a permanent grave marker in her honor, and a memorial service is held annually by members of the department.”

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