HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The man accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend's 6-year-old daughter, prompting a statewide AMBER Alert, has been released on bond after appearing before a judge.
James Ramirez was taken into custody early Saturday morning after authorities located the child safe in La Marque, nearly 16 hours after an AMBER Alert was issued.
According to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office, the girl was last seen in Dickinson before she was found and reunited with her mother.
Ramirez is charged with felony kidnapping. During a probable cause hearing, prosecutors requested a $40,000 bond.
A judge ultimately set bond conditions that include no contact with the child or her mother.
"I don't want you to call, text, no emails," the judge told Ramirez during the hearing.
Court records show Ramirez was also ordered to stay away from the home where the child and her mother live.
According to attorneys in court, Ramirez has no prior criminal history. The judge found him indigent and approved a court-appointed attorney.
In a social media post, Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman credited deputies, the Special Operations Unit and the Special Victims Unit for locating the child safely and taking Ramirez into custody.
"Thanks to the relentless efforts of deputies, Special Operations Unit, and Special Victims Unit, the child was located safe Saturday morning," the post stated.
Authorities have not released details about how investigators tracked down Ramirez or located the child.
The constable's office said the girl has since been reunited with her mother.
"A little girl is back where she belongs, safely in her mother's arms," Herman wrote.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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