Former Harris County Deputy Constable Xochitl Ortiz Arrested for Allegedly Using Taser on Her Three Children
A Texas police officer is facing violent felony charges after she was accused of killing her three young children at her Houston-area home.
Xochitl Ortiz, 34, was fired from her job as a deputy sheriff in Harris County after her arrest earlier this week. Ortiz, a two-year veteran of the force, was beaten on three counts of causing bodily harm to a child under the age of 15.
According to court documents reviewed by The Daily Beast, Ortiz “stunned” children aged 8, 11 and 12, At the beginning of Aprilsupposedly shock three people on arm, shoulder and butt with Taser issued by department belongs to her boyfriend — who worked alongside Ortiz as a Harris County deputy.
The stunning drive is described by Axon, the company that makes the Tasers, as a “strictly compliant option”. Instead of triggering an electrical probe from the device, sublime driving mode requires the user to “physically push (steer) the front of the vehicle.” [Taser] firmly into the subject’s body,” Axon told customers.
“Just ‘touch’ [Taser] against the subject is not enough,” says the product page. [Taser]. It is necessary to vigorously promote the front of [Taser] on the subject for maximum effect. ”
Ortiz’s children reported abuse allegations to their father and they “didn’t feel safe” in her home, a possible cause as prosecutors filed in Harris County Court added that the boys “have made consistent claims of abuse” by their mothers. to identify those who work in child protection. Ortiz and the children’s father are currently divorced.
The taser in question belonged to Ortiz’s boyfriend, Christopher Worthington, according to probable results. Prosecutors said he was present when Ortiz assaulted the children, explaining in court filings that Worthington’s “act and enacted duty as Taser was instigated in the charges.”
Worthington was not charged, but was terminated by the Harris County Council’s Office after the allegations came to light. Worthington hung up immediately when contacted by phone on Saturday by The Daily Beast.
Ortiz was initially ordered to hold on a $450,000 bond, which was later reduced to $150,000. In one affidavit of her current financial status filed with the court, Ortiz claims to have a total of $300 in the bank and $4,676 in monthly expenses. She lists her gross monthly income as $2,500.
“The bond amount is necessary to… ensure the safety of [Ortiz’s kids] and the community,” prosecutors said in a court filing.
As of Saturday, Ortiz was no longer listed as an inmate at the Harris County Jail, which indicates that she has managed to raise the necessary funds in the time since her arrest on Wednesday.
She is prohibited by release terms from getting close to her sons, Worthington, or anyone under 17, within 200 feet Judge Brock Thomas ordered. Ortiz is also prohibited from drinking any alcohol, possessing any firearms or lethal weapons, even toy guns.
Ortiz could not be reached on Saturday for comment. Before becoming a copilot, she worked for a private ambulance service owned by her father, Enedino Chavez. according to public records.
Contacted by phone on Saturday by The Daily Beast, Enedino Chavez, Ortiz’s father, declined to comment on the allegations, citing advice from Ortiz’s attorney, Russell Allan Neumann. Neumann did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Saturday. In one statement provided on Friday to the local ABC affiliate KTRKNeumann said Ortiz “maintains her chastity” and that she has a plan to fight the case.
In a statement, Mark Herman, the former boss of Ortiz and Worthington, of Precinct 4, said his office “wants to maintain pride in our agency and profession and we can only do this.” by fully investigating all allegations of misconduct.”
