Woman In Custody In Death Of Her Kids' Father
RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) — A mother and three children who disappeared after the children's father was shot to death at his San Francisco Bay Area home were found safe, and the mother was taken into custody in the killing, police said Tuesday.
The mom, 35-year-old Alicia Ortez, the kids and a male companion were located late Monday at a Richmond home, San Pablo Police Cmdr. Jeff Palmieri said.
The mother and the companion were taken into custody on suspicion of homicide. Investigators were still trying to determine their relationship and a motive, Palmieri said. He did not identify the companion or the father.
Ortez was suspected of taking the children — ages 2, 6 and 12 — from their father's San Pablo home, where he was found fatally shot Monday morning. Their disappearance sparked an Amber Alert.
Palmieri said the children lived with the father.
"They are in good hands. They are in good spirits," he said. "This was a horrific event for them."
He declined to say whether the children were home when their father was shot.
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