Shocking Case: Cohoes Man Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Baby’s Death!
Anthony Ojeda admitted in court on Friday to first-degree manslaughter related to the death of a six-week-old baby named Eli in 2019.
Ojeda’s husband, Neil Garzon, also pleaded guilty to first-degree hindering prosecution and endangering a child’s welfare.
The tragedy unfolded on December 3, 2019, when Cohoes Police discovered Eli unresponsive in their apartment.
Despite efforts to save him, the infant was pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy revealed that Eli died from acute methamphetamine toxicity along with physical trauma.
Initially, in 2019, Ojeda faced charges of manslaughter and second-degree assault. However, after a few weeks, changes in bail reform laws allowed him to be released on probation.
As court proceedings were delayed due to COVID-19, the charges against Ojeda escalated, and he was indicted for second-degree murder.
While still on probation, Ojeda, with Garzon’s help, fled New York and traveled to Mexico. Court documents indicated that Garzon had rented the vehicle they used for their escape.
Their actions led them to be placed on the U.S. Marshals’ Top 15 Most Wanted List. Eventually, both men were deported back to the U.S. in 2024.
District Attorney David Soares disclosed that neither Ojeda nor Garzon was the biological father of the infant.
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However, he did not provide details on how they came to have custody of Eli. Both Ojeda and Garzon are scheduled for sentencing on January 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.