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Jorge Gabriel Morales, father of the Cuban-American boy Jorge “Jojo” Morales, accepted a plea deal for the kidnapping of his son, which took place in August 2022.
The case, which caused great upheaval in the Hispanic community of Florida, now concludes with a reduced sentence for the defendant: seven years in prison and an additional ten years of probation.
Morales, 48 years old, was accused of taking his son, diagnosed with autism and then six years old, from Miami-Dade County to Canada, illegally crossing the border.
The child was found two months later in a Canadian Walmart, in the company of his father and his paternal grandmother, Lilliam Peña Morales, who was also charged.
After the guilty plea, the U.S. justice system determined that Morales will not be allowed to approach his son or the child's mother during the probation period. The child's mother, Yanet Leal, of Cuban descent, reacted with fear to the news.
"I hope that their heart is moved and that all the hatred they hold toward us and the desire to harm my son and me is taken away. He will be released earlier, but he will have probation for 10 more years, so he won't be able to come near us until Jojo turns 22," Leal stated in an interview with Univisión.
"I'm terrified of him": the mother's testimony
Throughout the entire legal process, Leal has expressed his concern about the possibility of Morales regaining his freedom sooner than expected.
"I am terrified that he will be released", she expressed before the verdict that reduces the sentence was announced. "I am very afraid of him, because there is no remorse in his heart."
Three days ago, the mother felt that her ex-partner had not taken any responsibility for what happened. "This is telling me that he thinks he did nothing wrong. He just doesn't think," she lamented.
The emotional impact on Jojo
Since he was rescued and returned to Miami, Jojo has received psychological support to help him overcome the trauma. Today, at nine years old, the boy is still in therapy and, according to his mother, he is happy.
"At first, we talked about how he instilled in the boy that before turning 7 or 8, he had to go to heaven," Leal recounted. "So when Jojo turned 9, he was so happy... He would say, 'I’m no longer 7, I’m no longer 8, I’ve lived my whole life.'"
A case that shook Florida
On August 27, 2022, Morales picked up the child from his maternal grandmother's house and never returned him. Shortly thereafter, federal authorities launched an intense search. The FBI even offered a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the child's whereabouts.
The investigation included the alleged complicity of the paternal grandmother, who later reached an agreement with the prosecution to avoid kidnapping charges and fulfill ten years of probation.
The reunion between mother and son in Miami was widely reported by local media and marked the beginning of a new chapter for both, away from the dangerous environment that the father's escape represented.
Now, with the plea agreement signed and the sentence handed down, Yanet Leal hopes that time and distance will allow her son to rebuild his life in peace.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Jojo Morales Kidnapping Case
What was the sentence for Jorge Gabriel Morales for the kidnapping of his son Jojo?
Jorge Gabriel Morales was sentenced to seven years in prison and an additional ten years of probation after accepting a plea agreement for the kidnapping of his son Jojo in 2022.
How does Morales' sentence affect his relationship with his son Jojo and the child's mother?
The U.S. justice system has ruled that Morales will not be allowed to approach his son or the child's mother during the probation period, that is, until Jojo is 22 years old.
What has been the emotional impact on Jojo after the kidnapping?
Since being rescued and returning to Miami, Jojo has been receiving psychological support to overcome the trauma of the kidnapping. Currently, he is happy and continues with therapy, according to his mother.
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