MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A grandmother who police said helped kidnap her own grandson to take him away from his mother was sentenced to 10 years of probation Thursday by a Miami-Dade County judge.
Jorge “Jojo” Morales’ mother told Local 10 Thursday that her son is doing very well and she’s pleased with the judge’s decision.
In August of 2022, police said then-6-year-old Jorge was kidnapped by his own father and grandmother.
Two months later, the Miami boy was found in good condition in Canada.
His father, Jorge Morales Sr., and his grandmother, Lilliam Morales, were arrested for kidnapping and other child custody-related charges.
On Thursday, 70-year-old Lilliam Morales appeared in court and plead guilty to interfering with child custody and removing her grandson from the state of Florida.
The kidnapping charge was dropped and she will serve 10 years’ probation in addition to time served in the county jail.
Her attorney, Jay White, said she plans to move to Orlando.
“I think it is very sad when you have two parents in a very hard relationship and have to go to the courts for every possible thing. I feel bad for them and for the child,” White said.
Jorge Morales’ case is pending and he remains in jail without bond.