ANTHONY CEJA - 8 Weeks - Merced CA

Merced County sheriff's deputies are conducting what they're calling a parallel investigation into the disappearance of a mother and her child and the discovery of a burned body in an orchard.



Investigators said Ana Diaz, 26, and her 8-week-old son, Anthony Ceja, were last seen getting into her car in Planada on Thursday. The car is also missing.Authorities said they have not identified a burned body that was found in an orchard Thursday about 30 miles away in Snelling, but police said it's part of a parallel investigation.

Merced, Calif. (KMPH News) – A north valley father is clinging to hope that a baby found abandoned is his missing son.This on the same day he receives devastating news – his missing wife was murdered.The Merced County Sheriff's coroner identified her burned body Tuesday by comparing dental records.Luis Ceja says he had hoped his wife of ten years would be found alive. But sadly, he said, that's not the case.Ana Diaz de Ceja and two month old son Anthony disappeared December 2nd.Five days later a woman in the small community of Le Grand in Merced County discovers an abandoned baby at her door step.The question now...could it be little Anthony?"This child could not have done anything wrong," Sunny Rodriguez said. "That was pretty harsh just to leave a child out here in the cold."Sunny Rodriguez says the baby was naked, laying on pillow case on top of her welcome matt."Your first thought is this tiny child is at your front door step, he's completely exposed and he's cold."Rodriguez is six months pregnant. She put her unborn baby's clothes on the naked baby."Even through his sox, the onesie and the blanket you could feel how cold he was," Rodriguez said.Rodriguez prays the abandoned baby left at her door step is little Anthony."For that family it could be everything they've been waiting for," Rodriguez said.Luis Ceja says he also hopes it's his son. Ceja says he has not seen little Anthony or his wife Ana, since they drove off in the family's truck on Thursday.Merced investigators revealed Tuesday afternoon that dental records proved the burned body found in an almond orchard near Snelling last week was that of Ana Diaz de Ceja"This case has a lot of bizarre twists and turns," Merced County Sheriff's Department spokesman Tom MacKenzie said. "One of our biggest fears was that the child was with the mother. Hopefully this child turns out to be the missing little boy and the family can cling to that little bit of peace."Investigators say the baby will remain in the custody of Child Protective Service for now. The Merced County Sheriff's Department will rely on DNA tests to determine the newborn's identity."I hope he's reunited with his family (tears up) who ever it may be. I just hope he's ok and he does well," Rodriguez said.http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=13635192

Funeral arrangements are being finalized for a 26-year-old woman whose body was found badly burned in an almond orchard near Snelling last week.



The remains of 26-year-old Ana Diaz DeCeja were found on the same day she and her son were reported missing. Investigators are still waiting for DNA results to confirm if a baby boy found on the doorstep of a home in Le Grand is indeed 2-month-old Anthony Ceja Diaz.
"We're working under the assumption that this is the missing child. But there is that less than 1% chance or 1% chance that this is a baby from somewhere else and does not belong to it," said Deputy Tom MacKenzie, Merced County Sheriff's Department.
It could take a week to get DNA results, MacKenzie said. As of Wednesday evening, the baby was listed in good condition at Mercy Medical Center.Investigators have no suspects in connection with DeCeja's death, Mackenzie said.

Dec. 10, 2010 11:40 p.m.

COUPLE MAY HAVE TRIED TO SELL MISSING BABY

In a case already peppered with unusual twists, Merced County Sheriff’s detectives are now investigating the possibility that a couple tried to sell a baby that may have belonged to a homicide victim and later abandoned on a doorstep.
The latest development in the case of Ana DeCeja and her 2-month-old son Anthony Ceja merged after a person contacted the sheriff’s department, stating they had been approached about buying a baby, said sheriff spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie.
DeCeja and her son were last seen on the morning of Dec. 2 leaving their Planada residence in a 2002 Chevy Avalanche.
At 9:30 a.m. that same day, a group of farm workers in the 3000 block of Keyes Road in Snelling noticed a fire burning in the distance. As they moved closer to investigate, they discovered that it was a body that had been set ablaze.
Using dental records, the sheriff’s department later identified the remains as those of DeCeja.
The Avalanche was found Dec. 3 about seven miles from where the body was found, but Anthony was nowhere to be found. The detachable car seat had also been removed, MacKenzie said.
Now, sheriff’s investigators have said that the missing car seat was found that same day near a creek in Merced. The discovery was made by a couple walking along a path in the area of Bear Creek and Parson’s Avenue.
The individual who contacted the sheriff’s department told investigators it was also on Dec. 3 that they were approached by the couple attempting to sell a baby.
The individual said the couple approached them in the area of 27^th Street and Midge Avenue in Merced. The couple was carrying a baby in a car seat and asked if the individual “wanted to buy a baby.” The witness described the car seat and it matched the one found, MacKenzie said.
The sheriff’s department is not releasing how much the couple was asking for the baby.
On Tuesday an infant was found wedged between a front door and a screen door of a home in Le Grand. The homeowners had no idea why a baby would be left on their doorstep. They contacted authorities and the baby was hospitalized for exposure. The infant boy remains in the hospital, MacKenzie said.
Investigators are awaiting the results of a DNA test to confirm the baby’s identity.
The couple was described as follows: A light-complexioned Hispanic or Caucasian male, about 5 feet, 7 inches to 5 feet, 8 inches tall with a thin build. He is thought to be in his early to mid 40s. He has brown hair and a full beard and was wearing a black beanie cap, brown pants and black shirt.
The woman was described as a heavy set Hispanic female with brown hair that was pulled back. She was wearing a pink shirt and jeans.
If anyone has any information or have seen this couple they are asked to call the Merced Sheriff’s Department at 385-7472.http://www.turlockjournal.com/news/article/6985/

Couple arrested in Planada mother's killing

A husband and wife were arrested Wednesday night in connection with the murder of Ana Lila Diaz DeCeja, whose burned body was found in an orchard, northwest of Snelling, Dec. 2, the Merced County Sheriff's Department said.
DeCeja and her 2-month-old son, Anthony Ceja-Diaz, disappeared Dec. 2 from her home in the 1500 block of Plainsburg Road, Planada.
Sheriff deputies arrested Teresa Ceja Robles, 33, and Jose Augustine Velarde, 37, of Planada, at their home on Market Street.
More details will be released today during a news conference tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. at the sheriff's office.
Deputy Tom MacKenzie, a sheriff's spokesman , said detectives were able to obtain a warrant for Robles.
During the investigation, detectives were able to develop enough probable cause to arrest Velarde and charge both with murder.
MacKenzie said the suspects are still being questioned to determine a motive for DeCeja's killing. At this point, detectives believe she was killed at Robles' home.
It's unknown whether Robles and Velarde are the same couple who approached a witness on Dec. 3 in an attempt to sell a baby.

read more......

http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/12/16/v-print/2199840/couple-arrested-in-planada-mothers.html

The man and woman arrested for a murder and a plot to steal the victim's baby learned they could face the death penalty. Teresa Robles and Jose Velarde both pleaded "not guilty" from inside
the Merced County Jail. They're facing charges of murder, kidnapping,
and child abuse. Detectives say they killed Ana Diaz De Ceja and
snatched her baby son, Anthony. The victim's family crammed into
the courthouse to get their first look at the suspects. Even after
getting Anthony back, they say they won't be satisfied unless Robles and
Velarde are put to death. The victim's husband, Luis Ceja said
through an interpreter, "He feels relieved that his boy is back, but he
feels emptiness because his wife is never coming back." Robles and Velarde were arrested Wednesday night and baby Anthony was returned to his family Thursday. Prosecutors say it's a capital case that could lead the suspects to death row.

New details revealed in murder, kidnap case in Merced County

Wednesday, January 05, 2011




MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Court documents obtained by Action News give chilling new details about the murder of a Merced County mother and the kidnapping of her infant son. They also shed light on how detectives caught the accused killers.



snipped...


These court documents shed new light on the moments before and after her murder. According to the arrest warrant, detectives discovered the couple accused of killing Ana and kidnapping her son used an EBT card to buy baby items at a Walmart in Merced. Surveillance video from the store allegedly shows Teresa Robles and Jose Velarde holding an infant as they shopped. Investigators say the pair later confessed to abducting Anthony because Teresa had a miscarriage and they wanted a son to raise as their own. These documents also claim a witness told detectives Teresa offered him 1500 dollars to kidnap a baby for her in November, but he refused.
Ana first met Teresa while living at this labor camp in Planada. The documents state the women saw each other at this medical clinic the day before the murder and that Teresa claimed she was pregnant. But staff members said she was actually being treated for depression. The next day, detectives say Teresa lured Ana to her home where Jose strangled her while wearing latex gloves. This report says the couple confessed Ana fought for her life as Teresa held her baby boy. It also says the couple admitted to buying ten dollars worth of gasoline, driving to this orchard and setting Ana's body on fire. Detectives say days later, they dropped Anthony off on a doorstep in Le Grand because they were afraid they would get caught.
According to this report, Teresa said Jose insisted on leaving the baby on the doorstep naked because he was afraid any clothing could provide evidence against them.
Little Anthony did have hypothermia, but is now doing okay.


read more

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=7881796