Southwest
Dead mom’s baby daddy out on bond for manslaughter charge can still see child, outraging woman’s family
A Texas man accused of manslaughter after he allegedly struck the mother of his child with a vehicle in May will maintain his parental rights while out on bond, according to local records and reports.
The Canyon Police Department in May responded to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian and determined that Ulise DeLao, 28, “struck” Brittany Torres, 27, who was “standing outside of the vehicle” at the time.
Torres was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities arrested DeLao for “intoxication manslaughter,” police said in a press release at the time.
DeLao was released from jail in October after posting $250,000 bond – reduced from $500,000 in June, Randall County records show.
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Brittany Torres was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities arrested Ulise DeLao for “intoxication manslaughter,” police said in a press release at the time. (Randall County Jail)
After a Monday hearing in a civil case regarding the suspect’s parental rights for his 1-year-old son, Judge James Anderson ultimately decided that DeLao could maintain those rights, according to local news outlet KVII.
Torres’ aunt, Jessica Heller, has been pushing for justice for her niece on social media.
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“Say her name: Brittany Alexandria Torres!” Heller wrote in a Thursday Facebook post responding to a People article. “My niece has no voice; she cannot testify, she cannot share her side of the story. This is her voice now. We demand answers. We demand justice!”
Brittany Torres was a teacher and mother to a 1-year-old child. (GoFundMe)
In another Facebook post on Tuesday, Heller said her niece was “killed by a disgusting monster” who “should have protected and loved her.”
“THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILED HER. AND THEY ARE FAILING HER SON,” Heller wrote.
DeLao reportedly confessed to hitting Torres with his vehicle in May, and a prosecutor representing Torres’ mother argued in court Monday that DeLao’s behavior could harm the child, emotionally or physically.
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Footage played in court apparently showed Ulise DeLao dragging Brittany Torres out of a truck on two occasions on the same day he allegedly struck her in front of their home, KVII reported. (Instagram)
Footage played in court apparently showed DeLao dragging Torres out of a truck on two occasions on the same day he allegedly struck her in front of their home, KVII reported.
Anderson ultimately denied the request to terminate DeLao’s parental rights, according to the outlet.
Torres’ obituary says the 27-year-old “found her purpose when she became a mom.”
“She loved kids and was a wonderful mom and teacher,” it reads. “She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She was nurturing and loved her nephew.… Brittany was spontaneous, loving, funny, outgoing, gentle, caring, big hearted, full of life, kind, and had a beautiful smile.”
Read the full article from Here
A former Riverside County man was found guilty of sex trafficking a female victim and forcing her to engage in commercial sex acts along L.A.’s notorious Figueroa Corridor.
Elias Abdul Shabazz, 34, formerly of Perris, was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors said Shabazz had led the victim to believe they were in a romantic relationship before he turned physically and sexually violent. He began demanding that the victim engage in commercial sex acts from May to October of 2021, court documents said.
He carried a handgun with him and, on occasion, was accused of using it to pistol-whip the victim. He also fired the gun at her feet while threatening to kill her, prosecutors said.
At trial, the victim said Shabazz demanded that she meet a daily quota of commercial sex proceeds and that she was terrified of the consequences of not meeting that quota.
She testified that Shabazz compelled her to work in the notorious Figueroa Corridor in South L.A., a dangerous area known for human trafficking and prostitution.
Shabazz had confiscated her identification card, Social Security card and birth certificate. He constantly monitored her cell phone to stop her from communicating with any friends or family.
“He also introduced her to addictive narcotics and controlled every aspect of her life, including when she ate, slept and showered,” prosecutors said.
In May 2025, Shabazz was arrested and has remained in federal custody. His last known address at the time was in Washington, D.C.
On June 26, 2026, Shabazz was found guilty of one count of coercing or enticing interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 6, where he faces 15 years to life in prison.
“Sex trafficking matters rank among the most tragic cases our office prosecutes,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This defendant will now face many years in a federal prison cell for his sick, disgusting, and disturbing behavior.”
“Elias Shabazz preyed on a vulnerable victim using physical and sexual violence and cruel psychological coercion to compel commercial sex acts for his own profit,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “There is no place for this type of conduct in civilized society. We deeply respect the victim’s courage to face her trafficker in court. The Criminal Division will continue to bring these cases and try them.”
Anyone with information about human trafficking can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888
The star-studded feel-good giveback event of the summer has returned. KTLA 5 is teaming up once again with Project Angel Food for the annual “Lead with Love: Going the Distance” telethon to raise critical funds for medically tailored meals delivered to people living with serious illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The seventh annual telethon airs […]
A woman was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was violently attacked by a robber in downtown Long Beach. On June 18, Jennifer Silva, 34, was attending a World Cup watch party at a Hooters restaurant at 90 Aquarium Way. After the game ended, she left the restaurant just before 11 p.m. As she walked […]
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