The man charged with murder in the 2019 death of a 6-week-old infant in Albany has been caught in Mexico after two years on the run.

Anthony Ojeda, one of the 15 Most Wanted fugitives, was picked up in Mexico City by Interpol-Mexico with the support of U.S. Marshals. 

Cohoes Police Detective-Sergeant, Michael Greene said putting Anthony Ojeda behind bars has been at the top of his list since baby Eli’s death on December 3, 2019.

“They started getting a lot of leads that were coming in. Through basic police work just going in, tracking down the leads, following up,” Greene said. “I was actually on the phone just about every day with the team in Mexico and notified when the arrest was made.”

Ojeda, also known as Erik Jonahan Donas-Ojeda, and his husband Neil Garzon have been on the run since June 2021 after Ojeda was charged with murder in the death of Baby Eli. Prosecutors said the baby had injuries to his ribs and head and toxic levels of methamphetamine that killed him.

After the arrest, Ojeda, who was the child’s guardian, and Garzon were released with conditions and then took off.

Ojeda will remain in custody of the Mexican authorities pending formal extradition proceedings, according to a news release. The U.S. Marshal’s office said it could take three to six months before he is back in America.

Garzon is back in the United States in Georgia. He will face charges in Albany County of endangering the welfare of a child and hindering prosecution.

Cohoes Police Chief Todd Waldin said the arrest meant a lot to his department. He mentioned that it’s rare for a couple to be on the run, together.

“It means a lot to us because in Cohoes we’re fortunate to not have homicides occur very often. But in particular this homicide involving a 6-week-old child it is huge for us and for the people of Cohoes and I think even beyond the city of Cohoes to know that these two will be brought to justice now,” he said.

Greene has been the lead on this case for Cohoes for years. Greene was at the hospital when the 6-week-old was pronounced dead, and he went to the wake.

“Coffins aren’t supposed to be that small,” he said.

The wake is where he got baby Eli’s prayer card. He’s keeps it in his jacket pocket, the one closest to his heart.

“It keeps me bonded to the case. Keeps pressure on ’em. Make sure we get justice for him. I’ve worked a couple of homicides and this one – it needs to have a conclusion. Now, it’s a start of a conclusion.”