Bradford Resident Charged with Child Welfare Endangerment, Assault
BRADFORD, Pa. – A 26‑year‑old Bradford resident, Devin James Ortz, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Richard W. Luther Jr. on October 4, 2026 on three felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident that occurred on October 3, 2026.
According to the criminal docket (MJ‑48101‑CR‑0000294‑2026), the Bradford City Police Department arrested Ortz after a complaint (Complaint No. PA0420100‑C000010930) was filed. Arresting Officer Clayton P. Yohe documented the arrest, and the defendant was taken to the McKean County Prison, where he remained in county jail because he was unable to post the $10,000 monetary bail set by the Magisterial District Court.
The charges filed against Ortz are as follows:
- Endangering Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense (18 Pa.C.S. § 4304(A)(1)), classified as a third‑degree felony (Grade F3).
- Simple Assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 2701(A)(1)), classified as a second‑degree misdemeanor (Grade M2).
- Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact (18 Pa.C.S. § 2709(A)(1)), classified as a summary offense (Grade S).
All three offenses are dated October 3, 2026.
Following his confinement, the court scheduled a preliminary arraignment for October 4, 2026 at 4:15 a.m., presided over by Judge David Richard Engman. A preliminary hearing is set for October 8, 2026 at 8:30 a.m., also before Judge Engman. The case remains active and is listed as “Awaiting Preliminary Hearing.”
McKean County District Attorney’s Office, representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is handling the prosecution. The office can be reached at (814) 887‑3312, located at 500 West Main Street, Smethport, PA 16749.
Defendant Ortz was advised of his right to apply for a public defender but did not request one. He has been fingerprinted, and no additional fines, costs, or restitution have been assessed at this stage.
Ortz is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was generated based on publicly available court docket information. While we strive for accuracy, the content may contain errors or omissions. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For official court records and legal guidance, please consult the appropriate court or legal professional.