North Carolina Man Sentenced to Death for Murder of 14-Month-Old in Randolph County
RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. – A North Carolina man has been sentenced to death after being convicted of murdering a 14-month-old boy in a case that shocked the Randolph County community.
Tragic Case of JJ Ortiz
On August 14, 2022, the Randolph Health Emergency Department alerted Ramseur police that a 14-month-old child, JJ Ortiz, had been rushed to the hospital with severe injuries consistent with abuse. The boy, who was brought in by his mother, was unresponsive upon arrival and died six days later.
Investigators soon identified Joel Valdez Beltran as a suspect, and he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Evidence Presented in Court
During Beltran’s trial, prosecutors introduced disturbing evidence, including video footage recovered from his phone that showed him beating, choking, and smothering the toddler. The jury deliberated on the evidence before unanimously convicting him of first-degree murder.
Jury Recommends Death Sentence
On August 14, 2025, the jury also unanimously recommended that Beltran be sentenced to death. A judge affirmed the decision, making Beltran one of the few defendants in recent North Carolina history to receive a capital punishment sentence.
The ruling comes as debates over the death penalty continue across the state, where executions remain legal but rare.
Community Impact
The case has devastated residents in Randolph County, where the child’s death has been remembered as one of the most heartbreaking crimes in recent memory. Community advocates say it underscores the urgent need for stronger child protection systems and greater awareness of abuse warning signs.
Beltran remains in custody and will await further appeals, as is common in death penalty cases.
Readers who wish to share their thoughts on child protection efforts in North Carolina can join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
