The preliminary hearing against Jiovan F. Ortiz Sotoaccused of sexually assaulting and murdering his 2-year-old daughter, will continue this Monday in the Ponce Court.
On Friday, on the first day of the process, it was decided to separate the case of Ortiz Soto from that of the mother of the minor, Nairi Quinones Rivera. The determination arose after the defense of the female stated that there is a statement given by the accused that is exculpatory for his client.
The process against the man continues on Monday.
On June 9, Judge Adria Cruz found cause for arrest against both.
Ortiz Soto faces nine charges:
- first degree murder
- Four counts of incest
- Four counts of sexual assault
In addition, he was set on $5.5 million bail.
Meanwhile, Quiñones Rivera faces two counts of mistreatment and a million dollar bail was imposed.
According to the investigation by the Department of Justice and the Police Bureau, the father of the minor engaged in a pattern of sexual assault against the girl from December 2022 to June of this year.
On June 7, while he sexually assaulted the minor, he hit her on different parts of her body. In the morning, noticing that the minor was unconscious and bleeding, she was transferred to the CDT in the town of Guayanilla, where she was later declared dead.
The man apologizes and says he has mental health problems.
