WILKINSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A western Pennsylvania man accused of kidnapping his 2-year-old daughter says he took her because he feared for her safety.
Tex Ortiz testified Wednesday at his trial on charges of kidnapping, interference with custody and concealing a child’s whereabouts. Jurors are deliberating.
Police say the 32-year-old Ortiz and his daughter disappeared from Wilkinsburg a week before Christmas. They found them in Altoona in early January.
Ortiz told jurors he became worried and fled with the girl when he received a text message from a person purporting to be a police officer. He says the message demanded he turn over his daughter.
A judge granted the girl’s grandmother custody at a December hearing, but she says Ortiz sent a text message saying the girl would be staying with him.
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