D.O. was born prematurely on August 6, 2023, and was unable to breathe on his own, requiring supplemental oxygen to survive. After 22 days in the NICU, he was discharged to the care of his 18-year-old mother, Estrella Meza Ojeda, who was provided with oxygen tanks and a monitor. Police allege that Ojeda, overwhelmed with caring for a medically fragile infant and wanting to return to a childless lifestyle with a new boyfriend, deliberately planned her son's death. On September 1, she brought the baby to the hospital after he stopped breathing but arrived without his oxygen equipment — an event police believe was an initial attempt on his life. On September 3, she conducted internet searches including 'How much time will I serve in prison for killing my baby?' and locations of garbage dumps. Around September 10, she took the baby on an errand without his oxygen; the baby died. Ojeda then disposed of the body along Interstate 80 in Parleys Canyon, wrapped in a blanket. She initially told police the baby was in Mexico with her mother, but eventually led investigators to the disposal site. She was charged with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and abuse or desecration of a dead body. As of the time of reporting, the child's body had not been confirmed as recovered.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The Yahoo News article states: "Estrella was advised by medical staff that D.O. needed supplemental oxygen in order to live and was sent home with oxygen tanks and an oxygen monitor for him." The mother deliberately deprived the infant of this medically necessary supplemental oxygen. On Sept. 1, "Ojeda arrived at the hospital without her son's oxygen and 'was again told that it was vital for survival.'" The child's death was directly caused by the withholding of prescribed medical equipment essential for his survival.
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The Yahoo News article clearly identifies the perpetrator as the child's biological mother, Estrella Meza Ojeda, 18, who "gave birth to a son, identified by police by initials 'D.O.' on Aug. 6." She is charged with aggravated murder for depriving her son of supplemental oxygen and planning his death. The KSL article corroborates: "His mother, Estrella Meza Ojeda, 18, is charged with aggravated murder."
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
The Yahoo News article states the baby "was unable to breathe on his own and required oxygen" due to being born prematurely. The baby required supplemental oxygen equipment (tanks and a monitor) to survive, constituting a physical medical condition/disability. This is analogous to a feeding tube or other medical device dependency.
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Both documents explicitly state the baby was born prematurely. The Yahoo News article states: "The baby was born prematurely and 'was unable to breathe on his own and required oxygen.'" The KSL article corroborates: "The baby was born premature but was allowed to go home with Ojeda after 22 days in the ICU."
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
The Yahoo News article states: "Police and state workers attempted to conduct welfare checks on Ojeda and her son on Sept. 11 and Sept. 14 but could not find them." The involvement of "state workers" (likely DCFS) in conducting welfare checks implies that child protection reports or concerns had been filed prior to the child's death, triggering these checks. This suggests some form of child protective services involvement before the death was officially reported.
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The Yahoo News article states: "Estrella Meza Ojeda was booked into the Wasatch County Jail over the weekend and charged Tuesday in 4th District Court with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony; and abuse or desecration of a dead body, a third-degree felony."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerged. First, the mother's internet search history shows extraordinary premeditation: "'How much time will I serve in prison for killing my baby?' 'Taking a baby's life holy death,' 'Kamas sewage treatment plant,' 'Salt Lake solid waste,' and 'garbage dumps near me'" (Yahoo News article). Second, the mother gave multiple false accounts to police, initially claiming she sent the baby to Mexico to live with her mother. Third, the mother "attempted to erase any and all traces of his birth, life and death" per the affidavit. Fourth, the article notes that as of publication, "The court documents do not indicate whether the body has been found," meaning the child's remains may never have been recovered. Fifth, the article prominently features Utah's Safe Haven law, which allows parents to anonymously surrender newborns at hospitals with no legal consequences, highlighting that the mother had a legal alternative to killing her child. Multiple failed welfare checks on Sept. 11 and Sept. 14 by police and state workers suggest systemic gaps in tracking the child's safety after discharge from the NICU.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.