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Alleged Baby Abductor Married To Baseball Minor Leaguer

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 24, 2009

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Jose Tabata

Amalia Tabata Pereira

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly released a prepared statement that was posted on the Major League Baseball club's official homepage.

"We have been informed by the Manatee Sheriff's Office that an immediate family member of one of our Minor League players, Jose Tabata, is being questioned in connection with an alleged kidnapping of a young girl," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement. "This is an extremely serious matter, and we have given the matter our full attention.

"While we have received very little information at this point in the investigation, we have received no indication that Jose is believed to have had any involvement in the matter. We are attempting to secure more information as quickly as possible. Until we receive further information, it would be inappropriate to comment further, other than to say that we will provide whatever assistance that we can to the Sheriff's Office and to Jose as they deal with the matter."

According to Hillsborough County Circuit Court records, 42-year-old Amalia Rivera, one of the suspect's aliases, married Pirates minor league outfielder Jose Tabata Pereira, 20, on Jan. 21, 2008. According to the records, both lived in Hillsborough County at the time of their marriage.

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