Timothy Virts waives extradition from S.C.

Virts wanted in Dundalk homicide, daughter's kidnapping

Arrested in South Carolina, Timothy Virts will be extradited to Maryland and his 11-year-old daughter, Caitlyn Virts, will be returned to family.

 TOWSON, Md. —Timothy Virts remains in custody in Florence, S.C., Monday night, days after an Amber Alert prompted a nationwide search for his daughter. 

The local Sheriff's Office in South Carolina told 11 News that Virts will not make any court appearances since he waived his right to extradition.
 

Virts' daughter, 11-year-old Caitlyn Virts, told county officials she's glad to be back in Maryland with her family after she disappeared the same day her mother was found slain in their home.

"They said that her brother and sister met her at the airport and that they were all very happy to see one another and be reunited," Baltimore County police spokeswoman Elise Armacost said.

All three children are currently in the custody of social services.

"She did express to the social services people and our detectives that she was very happy to be going home and that she was very happy to have the ordeal of this road trip behind her," Armacost said.

Police believe Timothy Virts, 38, killed Caitlyn's mother, Bobby Jo Cortez. Virts has been talking with homicide investigators from Baltimore County who are in South Carolina, police said.

"Our homicide detectives have flown to South Carolina. They have been talking to him. He did agree to talk to them. We can't share the details of what he's been saying because this is an ongoing investigation," Armacost said.

Police were called to a home in the 3100 block of Ardee Way in Dundalk on Thursday, where they believe Virts killed Cortez and kidnapped Caitlyn. After a national search, the two were found Friday night in a motel in Florence, S.C., off Interstate 95.

Virts, who remains in custody in South Carolina, is waiting to come back to Maryland, where he will formally be served with an arrest warrant on first-degree murder charges in relation to Cortez's death.

"We're in the process of coordinating with Maryland State Police aviation unit to fly our fugitive detectives down to South Carolina so that we can bring him back here," Armacost said.

Police did not know when they would be able to bring Virts back to the state.

Caitlyn appears to be unharmed, according to police.

Officials said they are not releasing the 911 tapes because of the investigation.

Cortez's father glad for Caitlyn, looking for justice

Meanwhile, Cortez's father told 11 News he was relieved that his granddaughter was found, and he’s hoping for justice for his daughter.

 “I blame myself because I wasn't there for her when she needed me. I told her always to confide in me when you're in trouble,” Daniel Wallace told 11 News not long after he finalized funeral arrangements for his daughter.

He was a man of few words, reporter Kai Reed said, but the sadness and anger he felt about his daughter’s slaying was very clear.

“There's no death penalty in this state, so the most he can get is what? Life? So, he's still living, and my daughter ain't,” Wallace said.

He and his family have other worries, as well.

“I'm worried about the kids,” said Mindy Lopez, Cortez's stepsister. “We don't know what's going to happen, and I don't know what they've seen, especially Cayla. She's the one who found her mother like that. I mean, I can't even picture it.”

Cortez’s funeral is set for Thursday. Her father and stepsister said they're anxious to reunite with the children.

“We haven't really heard anything. We don't know if they're going to be there Thursday. We hope so because, you know, it's something that they should be there for,” Lopez said.

 “She was a good mother, a hard worker. She'd give her shirt off her back to anybody, and I couldn't ask for a better daughter,” Wallace said.