Bay Area police have charged a woman with murder, marking a major breakthrough in a cold case after a newborn baby was found dead in a dumpster 16 years ago.
Angela Onduto, 46, of Denver, Colorado, was arrested in May this year and charges were filed against her on July 2, according to the Union City Police Department.
She is accused of killing a baby girl whose body was found in a dumpster close to Parkside Apartments in the California city on May 18, 2009.
The baby still had her umbilical cord attached and she was wrapped inside a bloodied pantyhose when a horrified resident stumbled across her remains, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
It’s unclear how detectives believe Onduto killed the infant. The Daily Mail has contacted Union City Police for more information.
The department said in a statement: ‘The newborn was lovingly named Matea Esperanza by UCPD officers – a name meaning ‘Gift from God’ in Hebrew and ‘Hope’ in Spanish.
‘Matea was discovered by a man searching for recyclables. The discovery led to an extensive and challenging investigation that remained open and active for more than a decade.’
Union City Police shared a mugshot of Onduto looking startled, with one eyebrow raised as she looked wide-eyed at the camera.
Bay Area police have charged Angela Onduto (pictured) with murder, marking a major breakthrough in a cold case after a newborn baby was found dead in a dumpster 16 years ago
In 2017, the Union City Police Officers Association purchased a permanent grave marker in Matea’s honor, and a memorial service is held annually by members of the department
She is also pictured on her LinkedIn profile wearing blue eyeshadow with short cropped hair. The page says she works in ‘Human Services’ and is looking for a job.
Union City Police said detectives identified Onduto as a suspect back in 2009, but they did not have enough evidence to charge her.
Modern DNA technologies led to a breakthrough this year, allowing investigators to arrest Onduto on what would have been the child’s 16th birthday.
‘In May 2025, UCPD detectives traveled to Denver to coordinate with local law enforcement,’ Union City Police said.
‘Onduto was arrested at that time; however, charges were initially withheld pending further forensic analysis and a detailed review of the medical examiner’s findings.’
On July 2, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office filed a murder charge against Onduto and she was detained in Denver.
Onduto allegedly confessed to killing the baby shortly after she was born, according to a shocking probable cause statement obtained by the Local Bay Area News Group.
Onduto is also pictured on her LinkedIn profile wearing blue eyeshadow with short cropped hair. The page says she works in ‘Human Services’ and is looking for a job
Onduto is accused of murdering a baby girl whose body was found in a dumpster close to Parkside Apartments (pictured) in Union City, California, on May 18, 2009
Union City Cold Case Detective Dominic Ayala reportedly wrote in the statement: ‘Angela detailed how she intentionally murdered [Matea] after giving birth at home in 2009.
‘Angela expressed no remorse, and said she knew while pregnant she had no intention of keeping the baby.
‘She admitted to discarding Baby Jane Doe in the dumpster. She denied diagnosis with any psychiatric conditions and/or drug use at the time of the incident.’
Union City detectives are now working to extradite Onduto to Alameda County, where she will face court proceedings.
‘The UCPD expresses deep gratitude that justice is progressing in Matea’s case after 16 years, reaffirming the department’s commitment to solving cold cases and bringing closure to the community,’ the department said.
‘Matea’s memory continues to resonate within Union City.
‘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.’