A physical therapist has been sentenced to six years in prison for the voluntary manslaughter of her newborn daughter, whose body was found in a California dumpster 17 years ago. Angela Onduto, 47, pleaded no contest to the charges, acknowledging a plea agreement where she accepted punishment without admitting guilt.
The baby, identified by police as Matea Esperanza, was discovered on May 18, 2009, with her umbilical cord still attached. A man searching for recyclables found the infant's body in a dumpster at the Parkside Apartments in Union City, California. Among the items found with the baby was a Costco receipt.
At the time, Onduto, then in her 30s, was a suspect but was not charged due to insufficient evidence. She later moved to Denver, where she lived for 16 years before investigators, utilizing advancements in DNA technology and the original Costco receipt, were able to connect her to the crime. She was arrested in June of the previous year and extradited to Alameda County.
According to court filings, Onduto "labored for hours overnight and gave birth alone in her bathtub, then drowned the baby almost immediately post-partum and placed its body in the dumpster at her apartment complex." Deputy Attorney General Thomas Ostly stated that Onduto "expressed no remorse" and "knew while pregnant she had no intention of keeping the baby."
During legal proceedings, Onduto's medical license was revoked. Her defense argued that her continued work as a physical therapist assistant for 16 years prior to her arrest did not pose a risk to public safety. Onduto had also recently obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services.
The Union City Police Department expressed gratitude that justice was progressing in Matea's case, reaffirming their commitment to solving cold cases. The department and the Union City Police Officers Association had previously honored the child by purchasing a permanent grave marker and holding annual memorial services.
Onduto has already served 365 days in jail, with an additional 54 days deducted for good behavior. She is expected to serve just over four and a half years of her sentence and is awaiting transfer to a women's prison. The father of the child has not been identified.