On Wednesday, Aug. 18, the Fraley Ambulance Services was summoned to 211 Second Street in the Misty Terrace Mobile Home Park for a child that had fallen. Moorefield Police units also responded to assist if needed.
Upon arrival a male subject identifying himself as Carlos Ortiz Jr., the child’s father, began describing events leading up to a fall by the child.
The child’s injuries were severe and circumstances at that time led the Moorefield Police to begin a preliminary investigation into the occurrence. The child was life-flighted to WVU Hospital in Morgantown.[private]
As the Moorefield Police Department began further investigation it was determined that the events described by Ortiz Jr. appeared suspicious. The child then died of his injuries on Aug. 20. Release of Medical records not only indicated a severe injury from the alleged fall but numerous other injuries in different stages of healing. Doctors indicated that the fall described by Ortiz Jr. would not have been as severe as the injuries that the child had received.
With this information the Moorefield Police Department began an official investigation aided by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Child Protective Services.
Allison Westfall, 27, of Moorefield and Carlos Ortiz Jr., 27 of Moorefield were arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in death. Both are incarcerated in the Potomac Highlands Regional Jail. Hardy County Magistrate Shawna Crites arraigned Westfall. Bond was set at $150,000. Ortiz was arraigned by Hardy County Magistrate Craig Hose. Bond was set at $275,000.[/private]
