Jury finds father guilty of kidnapping his daughter, interfering with child custody

WILKINSBURG, Pa. — A jury found a father - accused of kidnapping his 2-year-old daughter a week before Christmas - guilty Thursday.

The victim’s grandmother and legal guardian, Lori Clark, told Channel 11 News she felt as though justice was served when a jury found Jaleeyah Ortiz’s father, 32-year-old Tex Ortiz, guilty of taking the toddler and skipping town last year.

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“It was never my goal from the beginning to keep him away from her,” said Clark.

Amber Owens, Tex Ortiz’s defense attorney, said she was surprised by Thursday’s verdict, which could put Tex Ortiz behind bars for 20 years.

“We will be appealing this case,” she said.

Owens said she believes no one wins in this case if her client is incarcerated for an extended period of time.

“The victim, Jaleeyah Ortiz, in this case, she’s a victim because now she’s parentless, lost her mother and her father could potentially be going away for some time,” she said.

Clark agreed and added that the soon-to-be 3-year-old has adjusted just fine since the incident.

Despite the fact that Tex Ortiz ran off with her granddaughter just days before Christmas, Clark said she’s hopeful that he can get the help he needs to be a good father to his daughter.

“Biggest thing I’d like to see is him get some help while he’s incarcerated and to do some parenting classes to learn how to be a father one day when he gets out,” she said.

According to Owens, under Pennsylvania law, Tex Ortiz’s conviction means he must register as a sex offender.

In addition to finding him guilty of kidnapping, the jury convicted him of interfering with child custody.

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