Juvenile Pleads Guilty To Felony
Antonio Ortiz, age 14, of Milford, will remain at Pierceton Woods Juvenile Detention Center until his dispositional hearing at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, in Kosciusko County Juvenile Court.
Ortiz appeared in court last Thursday where, after waiving his rights, pleaded guilty to three charges against him that were filed after he took a knife to school.
In Thursday’s hearing, Ortiz was adjudged to be a juvenile delinquent. The class D felony charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon that has been filed, carries a penalty of six months to 3 years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000 if committed by an adult.
Kosciusko County Prosecutor Dan Hampton filed the felony count and two misdemeanor charges – possession of a knife on school property and possession of a switchblade, both class B misdemeanors.
The two misdemeanor charges carry a penalty of up to 180 days in jail and $1,000 fine if committed by an adult.
On Thursday, juvenile court Judge Duane Duffer questioned the teen asking him if, on Aug. 24, he acted recklessly and created an act that was dangerous to others, and if he possessed a knife on school property. Ortiz said he did. Because the knife could be opened automatically it constituted being a switchblade, which the teen also admitted to possessing.
After setting the dispositional hearing time and date, Huffer ordered Ortiz to remain at Pierceton Woods. Probation officials reported Ortiz had been residing with his father, Arnol Ortiz, but his current residence was unknown and that his mother, Ruby Gonzalez, was in the process of resolving matters with the Department of Children Services, to be completed in October. Ortiz and Gonzalez reportedly have joint custody of the teen.
Judge Huffer issued an educational order for Ortiz to continue receiving educational instruction. As he was not labeled a special needs student, Wawasee High School had not been providing classroom assignments, but Ortiz was receiving instruction through Pierceton Woods. It was additionally noted he has been expelled from Wawasee Community School Corporation.