Mother pleads for help for daughter who was set on fire
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"Her face is gone, she has no lips, her ears are burnt, she is burned from the belly button up," said Shirley Keeney describing the condition of
her daughter, 38 year-old Jacqueline Ortiz.
Ortiz is hospitalized with third degree burns over more than 55% of her body and is in critical condition at University Medical Center in Fresno.
Police say Ortiz's 29 year-old boyfriend, Israel Evaro Jr doused gasoline
on her and then set her on fire Tuesday morning.
Keeney flew back to Bakersfield from New Jersey after learning of the incident.
"I'm in shock...I pray that she passes, because she'll be disfigured for the rest of her life," said Keeney.
Evaro was already awaiting trial on an unrelated spousal abuse charge. In March, Evaro was arrested for allegedly beating Ortiz.
"She pressed charges, and she said she wasn't going to take him back...But he kept calling and writing letters to her saying 'I've changed,
I've changed, oh baby'," said Keeney.
Evaro convinced Ortiz to take him back. Now Keeney is pleading for the public's help.
"If anybody knows anything about them, the relationship between them, please, please I beg you to contact police," said Keeney.
her daughter, 38 year-old Jacqueline Ortiz.
Ortiz is hospitalized with third degree burns over more than 55% of her body and is in critical condition at University Medical Center in Fresno.
Police say Ortiz's 29 year-old boyfriend, Israel Evaro Jr doused gasoline
on her and then set her on fire Tuesday morning.
Keeney flew back to Bakersfield from New Jersey after learning of the incident.
"I'm in shock...I pray that she passes, because she'll be disfigured for the rest of her life," said Keeney.
Evaro was already awaiting trial on an unrelated spousal abuse charge. In March, Evaro was arrested for allegedly beating Ortiz.
"She pressed charges, and she said she wasn't going to take him back...But he kept calling and writing letters to her saying 'I've changed,
I've changed, oh baby'," said Keeney.
Evaro convinced Ortiz to take him back. Now Keeney is pleading for the public's help.
"If anybody knows anything about them, the relationship between them, please, please I beg you to contact police," said Keeney.
