June 26, 2023

OLD BRIDGE, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Acting Chief Donald Fritz, Jr., of the Old Bridge Police Department announced today that an Old Bridge woman was arrested and charged with seven counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

On June 25, 2023, at approximately 6:40 AM authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a fire at an apartment on Cottonwood Lane in Old Bridge. Upon their arrival authorities located four juveniles who were left in the apartment unattended. Two of the juveniles were transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to be treated for their injuries. The investigation of the fire is being conducted by the Middlesex County Fire Marshal and the Old Bridge Township Fire Officials.

An investigation led by Detective Anthony Mottola of the Old Bridge Police Department and Detective Daniela Castro of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims’ Unit revealed that Estela Onofre- Maceda, 31, of Old Bridge, left four juveniles unattended during the early morning hours of June 25, 2023, when the fire started. Additionally, information was gathered, and it was determined that Onofre-Maceda left three juveniles unattended on the night of June 23, 2023, into the early morning of June 24, 2023.

On June 25, 2023, Onofre-Maceda was arrested without incident and charged with seven counts of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Onofre-Maceda is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending the results of her pre-trial detention hearing.

This is an active and ongoing investigation anyone with information is asked to call Detective Mottola of the Old Bridge Police Department at (732) 721-5600 X 3232 or Detective Castro of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732)745-3652.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Onofre- Maceda are merely accusations and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

---