Who is Xochitl Ortiz? Ex-deputy faces 30 years in prison for using BF's taser on her young children
HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS: A Texas deputy was fired after she allegedly used her boyfriend's taser on her three young children, aged 8, 11, and 12. Xochitl Ortiz, 34, faces three counts of causing injury to children younger than 15. Under Texas law, each count carries a possible sentence of 10 years behind bars.
Not much is known about Ortiz except that she is a former Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable. She was a two-year veteran of the force. Her boyfriend, former deputy Christopher Worthington who joined in October 2020, has also been fired from the department. While he has been fired for policy violations, he is not facing any criminal charges at present. The alleged abuse took place between April 1 and 4 at Ortiz's apartment in the town of Tomball. Ortiz allegedly used Worthington's department-issued taser to abuse her children.
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Ortiz has been accused of 'drive stunning' her children with an 'electric self-defense device.' She allegedly shocked the three children on the hand, shoulder, and buttocks with the taser. Police1 says that a "drive-stun" is "generally considered to be a pain-compliance technique that is a lesser quantum of force than deploying the probes."
Prosecutors said that the children confided in their father, who is divorcing Ortiz, about the alleged abuse, claiming that they “do not feel safe in the home of their mother." On April 14, the father reported Ortiz to authorities, and she was taken into custody on May 18. KTRK quoted the hearing officer as telling Ortiz during the court appearance, "The facts allege that you used a Taser to tase each of your children: one on the hand, one on the buttocks, one on the shoulder. The facts allege the complaining witnesses complained of shock and pain and don't feel safe in your home."
Ortiz was remanded in custody. Her bail, which was initially set at $450,000, was later lowered to $150,000, according to the Daily Mail. Ortiz's financial disclosure document claims that her income is $2,500 per month, and that she has over $4,500 of monthly expenses and $300 in the bank.
Ortiz's lawyer Russell Neumann stated that the ex-deputy maintains her innocence. In a statement, Ortiz's former boss, Constable Mark Herman said, "On April 14, 2022 my office received a complaint in reference to these allegations and immediately initiated an investigation. My office, along with investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office worked together, culminating in my office placing ex-deputy Xochitl Ortiz into custody and transferring her to the investigators."
According to the terms of Ortiz's bond, she is required to be within 200 feet of her children, stay away from their father, her boyfriend, weapons, and items that look like weapons. She also has to keep away from alcohol and drugs.