Former Cohoes man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 6-week-old’s death

A former Cohoes man has admitted to killing a baby and then running away to Mexico.

Anthony Ojeda, 43, pleaded guilty in Albany County Court on Friday to first-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Baby Eli on Dec. 3, 2019.

Ojeda admitted under oath that he placed methamphetamine in the 6-week-old’s mouth intending to harm the child, but he did not mean to kill him.

He was charged with second-degree murder in June 2021, and he was released under the supervision of probation. Ojeda and his husband, Neil Garzon, went on the run to Mexico.

Ojeda was one of the Most Wanted Fugitives before he and Garzon were caught by U.S. Marshals in January.

He faces 15 to 20 years in prison when sentenced on Jan. 10, 2025.

Garzon pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and attempted hindering prosecution. He faces no less than 5 years of probation and a maximum of 1 to 3 years in prison when sentenced.

NewsChannel 13’s Dan Levy is in the courtroom and will have reaction to the pleas, including from Albany District Attorney David Soares, on air and online.