Pittsburgh Pirates minor league outfielder Jose Tabata, whose wife is accused of abducting a 2-month-old child Monday, said in a statement through his team that he was confused by her behavior. “I am hurt, frustrated, and confused by her actions,” the 20-year-old Venezuela native said. “I have and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement officials in anyway that I can. Until I have all of the facts, I cannot comment any further.” Jose Tabata was not involved in his wife’s alleged kidnapping of the infant.
Tabata’s wife, 43-year-old Amalia Tabata Pereira of Bradenton, was arrested Tuesday. She was charged with false imprisonment, interference with child custody and impersonating a social service worker. Today in a Manatee County courtroom, a judge read her charge, told her that her bail is set at $750,000 and said she will be sent to jail in Hillsborough County.
The baby, Sandra Cruz-Francisco, and her mother, Rosa Sirilo-Francisco, were reunited Tuesday evening at Plant City police headquarters. Sandra was unharmed. Sirilo-Francisco said she gave Sandra to a woman who claimed to be an immigration official. The woman told Sirilo-Francisco that she and the child’s father, Andres Cruz, could stay in the United States if the baby was handed over.
Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly released a statement today. “The Manatee County Sherriff’s Office confirmed with us last night that Jose was in no way involved in his wife’s alleged kidnapping of an infant girl,” Coonelly said. “Jose was as shocked as the rest of us upon hearing the news and has cooperated fully with law enforcement officials. The Pirates organization will continue to do anything and everything we can to assist and support Jose during this difficult personal time.
“Due to the nature of this ongoing investigation, we can not discuss any specifics of the case, other than to say that, like Jose, we are extremely thankful the young child was safely returned to her family. Our hearts go out to her and her family for the pain they must have endured during the hours that she was missing.”
Tabata, 20, married Pereira, 43, in January 2008, according to Hillsborough County records. Tabata was traded by the Yankees to the Pirates last July in a Trade Deadline deal that netted the Pirates four players in exchange for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. He was recently listed as the Pirates’ third-best prospect, according to Baseball America.
Roger Federer doesn’t think becoming a father will effect on his tennis. “I think in a way I always had the dream that once I became No. 1 in the world if I have a child I hope I have it early enough so he can see me playing. So this is very exciting,” Federer said Saturday after his 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over Marc Gicquel of France in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.
When Annika Sorenstam “stepped away” from competitive golf at the end of 2008, she made it quite clear that she wanted to explore life outside of golf. And that always included having a family. Sorenstam announced on her blog Thursday that she and her husband, Mike McGee, are expecting their first child this fall. Sorenstam retired from the LPGA Tour last year after 72 victories and 10 majors, saying she wanted to start a business and a family.
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