Merced County mother, accused of killing 3 children, could face death penalty, judge says
A Merced County Superior Court judge on Wednesday said the case of a Le Grand mother accused of killing her three children will proceed as if it were a death penalty case.
Judge Carol Ash made those statements during a brief hearing for Patricia Ortiz, who allegedly killed Anna Ortiz Lara, 8, Matteo Ortiz Lara, 5, and Alexa Ortiz Lara, 3. The children were found dead inside a Le Grand apartment on Jan. 12, and the defendant allegedly tried to take her own life.
Ortiz was scheduled to enter a plea, but Judge Ash continued the arraignment hearing until Feb. 4.
Merced County prosecutors haven’t said whether they will pursue the death penalty against Ortiz, although Judge Ash is treating the case as such given the gravity of the allegations the defendant faces.
Ortiz appeared relatively calm and stoic while appearing via video conference during Wednesday’s brief hearing. Judge Ash assigned Ortiz a public defender, after asking the defendant whether she could afford legal representation. Ortiz replied she could not.
Judge Ash ordered the defendant not to have any contact or correspondence whatsoever with the children’s father, including by mail or social media.
The homicides happened at the 13145 Brice St. apartments where the defendant lived. Witnesses told the Sun-Star the children were found dead in their beds by their father, who called out to his neighbors for help.
Ortiz was also found in the bathroom with cuts on her wrists in an effort to take her own life, witnesses said.
After she was transported to the hospital to receive treatment for her injuries, she was arrested and taken to the psychiatric center before being booked in the Merced County Jail.
The Merced County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against Ortiz on Jan. 21, in which she is charged with three counts of murder with enhancements of lying in wait and committing multiple murders.
This story was originally published January 26, 2022 at 9:50 AM with the headline "Merced County mother, accused of killing 3 children, could face death penalty, judge says."