Sunday 22 May 2022 05:04 AM Texas deputy fired after using her boyfriend's taser on her three children trends now
A Texas deputy has been relieved of her duties after she was allegedly found using her boyfriend's taser on her three children aged 8, 11, and 12.
Former Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Xochitl Ortiz, 34, appeared in court on May 20 to face three counts of causing injury to children younger than 15.
Each count carries a possible sentence of 10 years in prison, under Texas law.
Ortiz was a two-year veteran of the force. Her boyfriend, former deputy Christopher Worthington, has also been fired the department. He joined in October 2020.
The alleged abuse occurred at Ortiz's apartment in town of Tomball between April 1 and 4 this year.
During that time, Ortiz is accused of 'drive stunning' her children with an 'electric self-defense device.' She is believed to have used her fellow deputy boyfriend's department issued Taser.
Former Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Xochitl Ortiz is facing charges of causing injury to children under the age of 15
Ortiz's boyfriend, Christopher Worthington, joined the department in October 2020. He has also been fired for violating the force's policies
According to Police1, a 'drive-stun' is 'generally considered to be a pain-compliance technique that is a lesser quantum of force than deploying the probes.'
Prosecutors say that the children told their father, who is divorcing their mom, about the alleged abuse.
They said they were tasered in the bottom, hand and shoulder. Ortiz’s children reported the alleged abuse to their father, and that they “do not feel safe” in her home, a probable cause finding prosecutors filed in Harris County District Court states, adding that the boys “made consistent statements of abuse” by their mom to state child protection workers. Ortiz and the children’s dad are currently going through a divorce.
He then reported Ortiz to authorities on April 14. Ortiz was taken into custody on May 18.
The hearing officer during the court appearance told Ortiz: 'The facts allege that you
