Ivanna Lisette Ortiz is facing another major setback as her criminal case tied to the shooting outside Rihanna’s Los Angeles home continues to grow.
The Florida woman accused of opening fire near the property has reportedly been ordered to have no contact with her child until further notice from the court. TMZ reports the child’s father now has full custody, and any communication would require his approval.
The custody decision comes while Ortiz fights multiple felony charges connected to last month’s incident. Prosecutors charged her with 10 counts of assault on a person with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabited vehicle or dwelling. She has pleaded not guilty.
Authorities previously said Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, their three children, Rihanna’s mother, and staff members were inside the residence when gunfire erupted. No one was injured, but officials say the danger was significant. Investigators also allege Ortiz fired toward a neighboring residence, expanding the number of alleged victims in the case.
“Rihanna was there with her partner, her three children, her mother, and two staff people, representing eight of the 10 of the counts of dealing with an assault with a semi-automatic firearm,” Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney, said shortly after the shooting. “In addition, Ms. Ortiz is accused of firing at a neighboring residence that had two additional individuals.”
He later made clear prosecutors intend to pursue the matter aggressively.
“Opening fire in any populated neighborhood is extremely dangerous, puts lives at risk and will be fully prosecuted,” he added. “Thankfully, no one was injured in this shooting, but this careless violence will not be tolerated in our community. Such shooters will find their next destination to be our jails and prisons.”
Ortiz, who has been identified in reports as a licensed speech pathologist from Florida, had allegedly posted videos about Rihanna on social media before the shooting. Now, the legal fallout is reaching far beyond the criminal courtroom.
