Denver, Colorado — Angela Onduto, 46, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the 2009 death of a newborn baby found in Union City, California. DNA evidence recently confirmed that the baby was Onduto’s daughter, leading to her arrest in Denver on July 2, 2024.
The Discovery of the Baby’s Body
The infant girl, later named Matea, was discovered dead in a dumpster behind an apartment complex in Union City on May 18, 2009. A man who was searching for recyclables found the baby, who was still attached to her umbilical cord and wrapped in bloody pantyhose. At the time, the case went cold, and Onduto was identified as a person of interest, but no arrest was made.
The Breakthrough in the Case
After years of investigation, authorities reopened the case, and DNA testing eventually linked the infant to Onduto, confirming she was the child’s birth mother. In May 2024, on what would have been Matea’s 16th birthday, Union City police tracked down Onduto in Denver. Although she was initially arrested, she was released pending formal charges.
Formal Charges and Arrest
On July 2, 2024, after the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office formally filed murder charges, Onduto was arrested again and taken into custody. She remains in Colorado pending extradition to California, where she will face charges related to the murder of her newborn daughter.
Onduto’s Alleged Confession
According to a probable cause statement from the investigation, Onduto allegedly confessed to killing the baby shortly after giving birth at home in 2009. In the statement, Detective Dominic Ayala reported that Onduto described how she intentionally murdered Matea and discarded her body in the dumpster. Onduto allegedly stated that she had no intention of keeping the baby and showed no remorse for her actions. She also denied any psychiatric conditions or drug use at the time of the incident.
Tribute to the Victim
The Union City Police Department had named the baby Matea and honored her memory with a permanent grave in 2017. Every year, the department pays tribute to Matea on her birthday, remembering her tragic death.
Ongoing Investigation
While Onduto is currently in custody in Colorado, the investigation into Matea’s death continues. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether they plan to pursue additional charges or if other individuals may have been involved in the incident.
