Man sentenced in 2019 Cohoes baby death
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ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Anthony Ojeda, 43, was sentenced in Albany County Court on Friday for his role in the death of his six-week-old son in 2019. Ojeda was sentenced to 20 years in prison with five years probation.
Ojeda's son Eli was found unresponsive in an apartment by the Cohoes Police Department on December 3, 2019. The infant died at the hospital. An autopsy determined he died of acute methamphetamine toxicity and physical trauma.
Ojeda and his husband, Neil Garzon, were initially charged in the baby's death in 2019 but released due to bail reform laws. While out under the supervision of probation, both fled to Mexico. In January 2024, the pair were arrested in Mexico and later extradited to New York.
In October, Ojeda pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in connection to his son's death. Garzon pleaded guilty to first-degree hindering prosecution and endangering the welfare of a child. He will be sentenced on January 17.
“Today is the completion of more than five years of dogged police work and determined prosecutorial resolve, and I hope that those who cared for the child can look at the effort – from the first responders, to law enforcement officials, hospital staff, and our prosecutors – and find solace in the fact that they fought for justice for Baby Eli,” said Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon. “The depravity in this case is hard to comprehend, but the love shown for Eli posthumously is inspiring.”