Sex Offenses Lands Coatesville Man 25¾ TO 51½ Year In State Prison

WEST CHESTER, PA —A 55-year-old Coatesville man was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Analisa Sondergaard to 25¾ TO 51½ years in state prison after being convicted by a jury of sexually abusing three girls under the age of seven between 2003 and 2011.

Lazaro Ortiz-Baez in May of rape of a child, indecent sexual intercourse with a child, unlawful contact with a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, and related offenses.

In May 2019, investigators spoke with two other victims who said the defendant sexually abused them at the same location, according to Southern Chester County Regional police.

Police said one victim was five when the abuse happened from 2003 to 2004; the second victim was six when the defendant sexually abused her in 2011.

“The victims in this case were very young when Lazaro Ortiz-Baez sexually abused them, and each considered the defendant a trusted adult based on his relationship with their family,” District Attorney Deb Ryan said.

Ryan said tragedy of child sexual abuse is the fact that 90% of the predators are relatives or friends of victims.

“The defendant acted without remorse or regard for his actions and with the clear belief that he was immune from consequences, but Judge Sondergaard’s sentence shows him – and others like him – that he is not above the law,” the district attorney said.

Call Childline at 1-800-932-0313 if you suspect a child is being abused.

Learn to recognize, react, and report child sexual abuse by taking a free virtual Stewards of Children workshop. Contact County Coordinator Elisa Mendoza at emendoza@chesco.org or 610-344-5576 for more information.