Serving Franklin County, WA
Serving Franklin County, WA
Mom caught suspect in bed with 11-year-old
OTHELLO – A local man is facing a child rape charge after being caught in bed with a child.
Manuel Trinidad-Ortiz, 32, of Othello, was booked into the Franklin County Jail following his July 19 arrest for first-degree child rape and residential burglary.
According to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Trinidad-Ortiz was arrested near a home in the 600 block of Wagon Road at about 12:30 a.m., July 19. He was booked into the jail in nearby Franklin County about six hours later.
Deputies responded to the home after a mother allegedly found a man in bed with her 11-year-old child and called 911, records show. Responding deputies located evidence that led to the identification of Trinidad-Ortiz.
A mother checking on her child found a man in her child’s bed with his pants and underwear pulled down, records show, noting he was “actively spooning” with the child.
Othello police assisted deputies with the arrest, records show.
Because the child is a victim of an alleged sex crime, the name of the child is being withheld.
Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner credited cooperative law enforcement operations for quickly apprehending the suspect.
“The collaboration and teamwork exhibited by the officers from all agencies were instrumental in swiftly bring the suspect into custody,” Wagner said.
Wagner also credited the child’s mother for taking immediate action.
“The swift action by the mother in reporting this incident, as well as the diligent work of law enforcement personnel, led to the apprehension of the suspect,” said.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 509-659-1122, Wagner said.
Roger Harnack is the co-owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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