A woman who drowned her newborn baby and disposed of the body in a California dumpster evaded capture for 17 years. However, recent advancements in DNA technology, combined with a Costco receipt, finally led investigators to her.
Although the case was disturbing, she received a six-year prison sentence last week.
This tragic story began in May 2009 when a man stumbled upon the body of a baby girl while looking for recyclables in a trash can at an apartment complex in Union City, located about 30 miles from San Francisco.
Initially, detectives considered Angela Beth Onduto, a physical therapist in her 30s at the time, as a suspect. Unfortunately, the investigation hit a dead end due to insufficient evidence to charge her.
However, a significant breakthrough occurred last year when DNA testing confirmed that Onduto was related to the baby. The police also found a Costco receipt that linked her to the crime scene.
After the discovery, the Union City police named the infant Matea Esperanza and arranged for her burial at Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery in Oakland.
According to charging documents, Onduto showed “no remorse” following her arrest.
Last year, Onduto was extradited to Alameda County to face murder charges, and a county judge subsequently revoked her physical therapy license.
Her attorney argued that the circumstances surrounding the incident had no connection to her profession, describing how Onduto “labored for hours all night, gave birth alone in the bathtub, and then drowned the baby shortly after.”
Now 47, Onduto entered a no-contest plea to voluntary manslaughter in April but did not admit guilt in doing so. She is currently serving a year in prison, along with an additional 54 days in jail for good behavior, as noted in court records. She remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail.
The authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the baby’s father.
