A woman from Colorado, Angela Onduto, 46, has been charged with the murder of a newborn baby girl whose body was found in a dumpster in Union City, California, in 2009.
The arrest follows a DNA breakthrough linking Onduto to the baby, now identified as her daughter, and marks a significant development in a long-cold case.
Discovery of the Baby’s Body
On May 18, 2009, a man searching for recyclables discovered the body of a newborn girl in a dumpster behind an apartment complex in Union City. The baby, later named Matea, was found with her umbilical cord still attached and wrapped in bloody pantyhose.
The case was initially treated as a mysterious death, with the baby’s identity unknown and the investigation going cold for years.
DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest
For years, the case remained unsolved until DNA evidence finally linked Onduto to the deceased newborn. Authorities confirmed the baby girl was her daughter, and the case took a new turn.
On what would have been Matea’s 16th birthday in May 2025, police tracked Onduto down to Denver and arrested her. However, she was released pending formal charges.
On July 2, 2025, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office officially filed murder charges against Onduto, prompting her second arrest in Colorado. She is expected to be extradited to Alameda County, California, to face charges for the alleged killing of her daughter.
Confession and Details of the Murder
According to the probable cause statement obtained by the Bay Area News Group, Onduto reportedly confessed to killing her newborn daughter shortly after giving birth at home in 2009.
Union City Cold Case Detective Dominic Ayala stated that Onduto admitted to intentionally killing Matea and discarding her body in the dumpster, with no remorse.
Onduto reportedly said she never intended to keep the baby, and she was aware of her decision throughout the pregnancy. There were no signs of mental illness or drug use at the time of the incident.
Ongoing Investigation and Memorial for Matea
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Matea’s death is still ongoing, and authorities are continuing to piece together the details of the case.
Meanwhile, the Union City Police Department has honored Matea’s memory with a permanent grave for the baby, which was established in 2017. Every year, they pay tribute to her on her birthday, ensuring she is never forgotten.
Onduto remains in custody in Colorado, awaiting extradition to California, where she will stand trial for the murder of her daughter.
