Suspect in 1993 Peninsula Killing Of 3-Year-Old Arrested: Report

EAST PALO ALTO, CA — A woman suspected of killing her 3-year-old daughter in East Palo Alto in 1993 was arrested Tuesday in Southern California, The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Yolanda Ortega, 54, was arrested by U.S. Marshal Service agents in Ventura County, according to the report, which cited East Palo Alto Police sources.

Ortega was arrested on a warrant on suspicion of murder charges, the report said, citing San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Yvani Sanchez found unresponsive in an East Palo Alto apartment complex on the 2300 block of Ralmar Avenue on June 28, 1993 according to the report.

Sanchez died from “multiple traumatic injuries” the report said, citing a coroner's report.

Ortega fled to Mexico with her husband in the immediate aftermath of Sanchez’s death, leaving behind three children aged 4, 1 and 17 days old according to the report.

Wagstaffe told The Mercury News that Ortega is expected to appear in a Bay Area courtroom next week.

“She lived half her life on the run. Even though it’s been 27 years, we still think we have witnesses available and the evidence available to the prove the case,” Wagstaffe said.

“It’s a real credit to East Palo Alto police and Chief (Albert) Pardini that they never gave up.”

Read more in The San Jose Mercury News