Chat House News: April 2012

Man Sentenced to Life for Tying Girl to Bed, Sexually Abusing Her

PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. -- Today a judge sentenced 58-year-old Daniel Snodgrass, a circus performer, to life in prison after he was found guilty of molestation and sexual battery charges.

Snodgrass was found guilty of tying a young girl under the age of 12 to his bed and sexually abusing her, according to a news release from the office of R.J. Larizza, State Attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida.

READ MORE :

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/254905/483/Man-Sentend-to-Life-for-Tying-Girl-to-Bed-Sexually-Abusing-Her

Jennifer Hudson's Sister Frantic 911 Call Somebody Killed My Mother!

Mother accused of putting bleach in infant daughter's eyes

TACOMA, Wash. -- A Buckley mother accused of putting bleach on her infant daughter's eyes pleaded not guilty Monday.

Jennifer L. Mothershead turned herself in to police on Friday and is being held for investigation of first-degree assault.

Mothershead's 14-month-old daughter was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center on May 12, 2011 for a head injury, but doctors also found some bruising and eye infection, according to the statement of probable cause.

READ MORE :

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Mother-accused-of-putting-bleach-in-infant-daughters-eyes-149552545.html

Crash wipes out 7 in family

Seven members of a beloved Bronx family — including three generations of grandparents, daughters and granddaughters — were killed yesterday when their speeding SUV flew over a highway guardrail and plunged 60 feet into a secluded area of The Bronx Zoo, authorities said.
“I lost my family — what can I say? I don’t want to be here. I want to die,’’ said stricken Juan Gonzalez, 45, whose wife, Maria, and 10-year-old daughter, Jocelyn, were killed in the horrific accident.

Sarasota Sheriff: Drunken grandparents towed child in toy car

SARASOTA COUNTY - Two grandparents are accused of getting drunk and using their SUV to tow their 7-year-old granddaughter in a toy plastic car.

Paul Berloni
Sareasota County Sheriff's Office

Paul J. Berloni, 49, of the 3300 block of Clark Road East in Sarasota, is charged with driving under the influence, child endangerment and driving with a suspended license

READ MORE :

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120430/BREAKING/120439979/2416/NEWS?p=1&tc=pg

Deputies Say Landrum Woman Spanked, Slapped Her 11-Year Old Son

By: FRED CUNNINGHAM | WSPA-TV
Published: April 30, 2012

A Landrum woman was arrested after sheriff's deputies say she spanked and slapped her 11-year old son.

April L. Laughter, 37, was charged with cruelty to children according to the arrest warrant provided by the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office.

The SCSO incident report says Laughter "spanked her son with a belt on his bottom and slapped his face leaving bruises."

Body found floating near Sanford Riverwalk

Last Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012 @ 01:19PM

Authorities say they found a body floating in Lake Monroe Monday morning.

Police said the body was found in the water off Seminole Boulevard, at the Sanford Riverwalk.

Officials said they identified the body as 58-year-old Alvin Wayne Thomas.

http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/4/30/body_in_lake_monroe_.html

Press Releases

4-30-2012

The Susan, Charlie and Braden Memorial Committee has been hard at work the past two months planning a memorial sculpture to honor and remember Susan Cox Powell and her two sons, Charlie and Braden. We are now accepting artist applications for the memorial art.

We are also looking for land suitable to place these memorials in or near West Valley City, Utah and Puyallup, Washington. Please view and download the PDF files below. Interested artists, please download the Call for Artists application and return it electronically to the committee by June 1, 2012. If you own land you would like to discuss donating, please read the Call for Locations and contact the Susan, Charlie and Braden Memorial Committee.

Police: Young Women Helped Save Boy In Cemetery Attack

"All I see is a man wrapped up with three kids and blood," said Corey Granberry, who was with her friend Jaymisha Pires on their way into the cemetery in the 3700 block of Market Street.

READ MORE AND WATCH VIDEO :

http://www.10news.com/news/30974468/detail.html

Hermitage woman charged with child rape, abuse

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Metro police charged a Hermitage woman with two counts of aggravated child rape and felony child abuse after she admitted to inserting the handle of a hair brush into a two-year-old child's rectum.

According to police, Becky Burlison was babysitting the victim last Friday when the incident occurred.

READ MORE :

http://www.wkrn.com/story/17589673/hermitage-woman-charged-with-child-rape-abuse

Susan Powell’s sister-in-law writing book about the case

Trial resumes for man accused of raping, killing Teen

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. —

The trial for a man accused of raping and killing a teenager will continue Monday morning in a Seminole County courtroom.

READ MORE AND WATCH VIDEO :

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/trial-resumes-man-accused-raping-killing-teen/nNMtH/

2 teen girls sunbathing on Pennsylvania road struck by car

BEAVER, Pa. - Police say two teenage girls who fell asleep while sunbathing on a rural Pennsylvania road have been struck by a car.
The Beaver County Police Department tells WTAE-TV that 13-year-olds Samantha Schermanhorn and Kaylie George were hit by the vehicle Sunday afternoon.

Rare Elton souvenir in Foster Soles Auction Unique Elton John item added to charity auction

A vintage Davey Johnstone guitar strap, signed by Elton and all the members of the current Elton John band, has been added to the fabulous items being auctioned in aid of Hillsides Foster Soles.

Held during Foster Care Awareness Month, the online auction on eBay.com raises awareness of foster care issues. 35,000 children are receiving child welfare services in Los Angeles, USA. If you would like to participate or find out more about Hillsides please click here.

READ MORE :

http://web.eltonjohn.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120430&contentid=30036842

Autistic boy's teacher placed on leave amid probe

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Girl, 7, found at bottom of lake on Fort Gordon / Hannah Ross

The body of a 7-year-old girl was found at the bottom of a Fort Gordon lake Sunday afternoon after a search involving more than a hundred volunteers and multiple rescue agencies.

Hannah Ross, whom family members said was autistic, had left her house upset about 6:40 p.m. Saturday. Buz Yarnell, a Fort Gordon public affairs spokesman, said when Ross was distressed, she had to touch water, which they believe led to her death.

READ MORE :

http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2012-04-29/girl-7-found-bottom-lake-fort-gordon?v=1335750199

10-year-old stabbed by mom's ex-boyfriend awake, doing well

Zimmerman's attorney plans to delay request for evidence The delay would postpone public release of evidence

George Zimmerman's attorney plans to delay the defense team's request for evidence from prosecutors and wants to protect potential witnesses in the Trayvon Martin shooting case, according to the attorney-run website.

In a new website posted today on gzlegalcase.com, Zimmerman's legal team said it would delay its demand for discovery, the legal process in which prosecutors are required to share evidence with the defense and would make such evidence a public record.

READ MORE :

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/os-george-zimmerman-discovery-20120429,0,4947516.story

Prosecutors respond to appeal of Waller threat sentence

Federal prosecutors have responded to Clay Waller's appeal of a five-year sentence imposed on him for a federal Internet threat conviction.

Assistant federal prosecutor Larry Ferrell responded to the appeal with a 69-page brief April 17.

READ MORE :

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1843382.html

Witness safety concerns could delay George Zimmerman case

SANFORD --
New questions have emerged about evidence released to the public in the case against George Zimmerman, specifically involving witness information.

Zimmerman's lawyer, Mark O'Mara, said he will delay a request for evidence from prosecutors because he is concerned about witnesses' safety.

READ MORE :

http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/4/30/zimmerman_delay_of_d.html

Any new Sanford police chief will face a divided city

Sanford is searching for an outsider to temporarily run its troubled Police Department, and whoever takes the job will face a deeply divided community and little time to build trust, criminal-justice experts and community leaders say.

READ MORE :

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-04-29/news/os-sanford-police-chief-trayvon-martin-20120429_1_brian-tooley-chief-bill-lee-interim-police

Van der Sloot's Extradition to US Approved by Peru

"I think he will be extradited within the next three months," Joran van der Sloot's attorney Maximo Altez told CNN.

A judge in Peru approved a U.S. government request for van der Sloot's "provisional detention" -- the first step in the international extradition process, CNN reports. Now the ball is back in the United States' court, so to speak.

READ MORE :

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/25/tagblogsfindlawcom2012-blotter-idUS390500302220120425

Authorities in Mexico join search for missing Arizona girl / Isabel Celis

TUCSON, Ariz. – The search for a 6-year-old Arizona girl who disappeared from her family's home has extended to Mexico, authorities said Friday.

Pregnant Woman Paralyzed After Shootout

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A pregnant woman and a robbery suspect are recovering from serious injuries Monday after a weekend shootout with police.
The woman's spinal cord was shattered in the shooting, leaving her paralyzed. Investigators are still trying to find out who shot the woman.

Read more and watch video: http://www.wesh.com/news/30976660/detail.html#ixzz1tWeBYasu

Zimmerman, Attorney Launch New Website

ORLANDO, Fla. -- George Zimmerman is back online. This time, his website is being run by his defense attorney.
The Mark O'Mara Law Group confirmed that www.GZlegalcase.com belongs to them. It's a place where people can information about Zimmerman's case, and even ask questions.

Suspect shot by police

Suspect shot by police : MyFoxORLANDO.com

One on One with George Zimmerman's attorney

One on One with George Zimmerman's attorney: MyFoxORLANDO.com

Man seeks to become landlord for sex offenders

ORLANDO, Fla. —

One man is planning to bring dozens of sex offenders to Orange County.

Randy Young thinks it will be profitable to house disabled men and US military veterans who are also registered sex offenders.

READ MORE :

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/local-man-seeks-become-landlord-sex-offenders/nNJz3/

Trial resumes for man accused of raping, killing teen

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. —

The trial for a man accused of raping and killing a teenager will continue Monday morning in a Seminole County courtroom.

William Davis is accused of kidnapping the teenager at knife point.

READ MORE :

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/trial-resumes-man-accused-raping-killing-teen/nNMtH/

Parents arrested after forcibly abducting their own children

Web reporterQ13 FOX News Online

6:54 p.m. PDT, April 29, 2012

CLALLAM COUNTY—

A Clallam County couple was arrested for forcibly abducting their own children. The children, 4 and 1, had been taken from them by court order and placed in the care of Child Protective Services.

The abduction occurred after an argument between the couple and the children's guardian about illegal drug use. The couple, a 27-year-old male and 30-year-old female, put the children in the car and fled west on Highway 101 from Sequim toward Port Angeles.

http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-parents-arrested-after-forcibly-abducting-their-own-children-20120429,0,6132248.story

Polk County Man Arrested In Grandmother's Killing

POSTED: 8:48 pm EDT April 29, 2012
UPDATED: 9:31 pm EDT April 29, 2012

LAKE WALES, Fla. -- Police said 23-year-old Christopher Whaley stabbed his grandmother 25 times while she was in the bathtub Saturday night, and in her dying breaths she told him that she loved him.

Whaley was booked into the Polk County Jail on a first-degree murder charge, police said.

The tragic story started in Daytona Beach and ended in the Lake Wales area of Polk County
.

READ MORE:
http://www.wesh.com/r/30975434/detail.html

In her own words: Susan Cox Powell wrote of fear in emails

E-mails Susan Powell wrote to friends The latest fight with her husband brought a new round of anxiety and confusion for 27-year-old Susan Powell.

READ MORE :

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54004579-78/findsusan-susan-wrote-emails.html.csp

RAW: Isabel Celis' father appears in city court

Posted 12:09 PM 4/26/2012

TUCSON - The father of missing 6-year-old Isabel Celis was in City Court this morning for an arraignment hearing for eight dog-related citations.

Sergio Celis' charges include: two counts of Dog Running At Large, three counts of No Current License and three counts of No Current Vaccination.

READ MORE:
http://www.kvoa.com/videos/raw-isabel-celis-father-appears-in-city-court/

Isabel Celis: Detectives ID person in surveillance video linked to missing girl's case

by Crystal Cruz

azfamily.com

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 8:56 PM

Updated today at 10:04 AM

TUCSON, Ariz. -- While there is still no sign of 6-year-old Isabel Celis, who disappeared from her Tucson home more than a week ago, police have identified one person on surveillance video released in connection with the case.

“This isn't 'CSI: Tucson,' where we are going to solve this in one hour," said Lt. Fabian Pacheco with Tucson Police Department. "This is going to take us awhile.”

Police find survivalist murder suspect / Keller

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

No Clues in Missing Soldier Case / Kelli Bordeaux

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

George Zimmerman: Trying to heal Sanford

SANFORD --
There's a push to move forward in Sanford after the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

Another meeting Saturday at First Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church hoped to make some strides in healing the divide wrought by the controversial case.

Only 30 people showed up.

READ MORE :

http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2012/4/29/george_zimmerman_try.html

Family: Intruder crawled into bed with our 12-year-old daughter

Steven Powell trial likely to proceed May 7 as scheduled

TACOMA, Wash — Steven Powell, who is charged with voyeurism and possession of child pornography, will likely stand trial as scheduled in less than two weeks.
Attorneys for both sides met with Pierce County Superior Court Judge Ronald Culpepper Wednesday to work out a final schedule for the trial.

READ MORE :

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865554757/Steven-Powell-trial-likely-to-proceed-May-7-as-scheduled.html

Death penalty sought in Montana teacher's killing

Arrests coming in burned bodies case? Bodies of Nicholas Presha, Jeremy Stewart found burning off Cady Way Trail

WINTER PARK, Fla. -
The Orange County Sheriff says arrests are coming after the bodies of two teens were found burning earlier this month.
The bodies of Nicholas Presha, 16, and Jeremy Stewart, 18, were found by two bicyclists at about 6:40 a.m. on April 15th just off Cady Way Trail near Full Sail University.

READ MORE AND WATCH VIDEO :

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Arrests-coming-in-burned-bodies-case/-/1637132/12189848/-/401skiz/-/index.html

Witness: Gunmen Attack Nigeria University Campus

(CNN) -- Gunmen attacked Christians worshipping on a Nigerian university campus on Sunday, with witnesses reporting multiple explosions and gunfire.
The number of casualties was not immediately clear.

Kelli Bordeaux: Search for missing Fort Bragg soldier continues

Kelli Bordeaux Fort Bragg soldier missing

Fort Bragg soldier Kelli Bordeaux went missing April 14, 2012 around 1:20 a.m. (Facebook/Facebook)

A new photo released by investigators today of Kelli Bordeaux shows the missing Fort Bragg soldier using her iPhone right before she headed out for the night in Fayetteville, NC, and disappeared, according to ABC News. Bordeaux, 23, was last seen two weeks ago leaving Froggy Bottoms bar around 1:20 a.m. on April 14. The marine was reported missing when she failed to report to duty on Monday.

READ MORE :

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/120428/kelli-bordeaux-search-missing-fort-bragg-soldier

Suspects identified in students’ death

WOFL - Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings and detectives from the Orange County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit told Fox 35 that "suspects have been identified" in the brutal murder of two Winter Park High School students.

Officer returns fire

Officer returns fire : MyFoxORLANDO.com

Body found in remote bunker believed to be Peter Keller

Credit: King County Sheriff's Office

by KING 5 News

Posted on April 28, 2012 at 10:27 AM

NORTH BEND -- A body found in an underground bunker in the Rattlesnake Ridge wilderness area is believed to be Peter Keller.

Keller is accused of murdering his wife and daughter last week, then setting his North Bend home on fire. Deputies were able to track him to a bunker he has been building for the past 8 years on Rattlesnake Ridge.

Motions filed for Curl’s June murder trial

By CAITLIN MULLEN - cmullen@shawmedia.com

Created: Saturday, April 28, 2012 5:30 a.m. CDT

SYCAMORE – The attorney representing William “Billy” Curl is asking that the court bar any sort of support activity on the courthouse lawn during the June trial.

Curl, 35, is accused of killing Northern Illinois University student Antinette “Toni” Keller in October 2010. His attorney, public defender Regina Harris, filed two motions Friday as Curl appeared in court via closed-circuit TV from the DeKalb County Jail.

The first motion asks the court to prevent the state from bringing up Curl’s prior convictions of possession of drug paraphernalia in 2004, violation of bail bond in 2004 and criminal damage to property in 2000.

The second motion asks that the court issue an order barring the state, its witnesses, family members of Keller or anyone from taking part in what is being called “Summoning the Yellow” on the courthouse lawn on any day of the trial.

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2012/04/27/motions-filed-for-curls-june-murder-trial/anecr2m/

Washington Police Surround Bunker of Survivalist Suspected of Murdering His Family

Authorities are planning their next move today after they pumped tear gas into the hillside bunker of a survivalist who allegedly shot his wife and daughter in the head and set the family home on fire.

Three dozen SWAT officers hiked through rugged terrain and undergrowth near the Rattlesnake Ridge trail in the Cascade foothills of Washington Friday to reach the elaborate bunker where authorities believe Peter Keller, 41, is hiding.

READ MORE :

http://abcnews.go.com/US/peter-keller-washington-man-allegedly-killed-wife-daughter/story?id=16233994#.T5wHMoZdC1c

Isabel Celis: Tucson Police Looking For Group Seen On Surveillance Video

Tucson, Arizona police are looking for a group of five people who were captured on surveillance video leaving a club near the home of Isabel Celis around the time the 6-year-old disappeared.
The three women and two men were captured on camera just a block from the Celis house on the night the girl vanished.

READ MORE :

http://abcnews.go.com/US/isabel-celis-tucson-police-group-surveillance-video/story?id=16233873#.T5v_HYZdC1d

Detroit Mother Fed up with the Violence

Detroit Mother Fed up with the Violence: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Zinah Jennings Case Headed to Grand Jury

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A grand jury will hear evidence in the case of a Columbia woman, whose child has been missing since late November.

Prosecutors will begin presenting information to the jurors next week regading Zinah Jennings. If it's determined there is enough evidence, an indictment could be brought against her, although at this time, it's unclear what charges she could potentially face.

READ MORE :

http://www.wltx.com/news/article/185830/2/Zinah-Jennings-Case-Headed-to-Grand-Jury-

Three New Arrests in Cipriano Murder Case

Updated: Friday, 27 Apr 2012, 11:03 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 17 Apr 2012, 3:11 PM EDT
By AMY LANGEWJBK | myFOXDetroit.com

Christine Frederick and two others were arrested Friday night at a home in Farmington Hills. The swat team busted in the windows and raided the home. They also took several items from inside.

Frederick is thought to have supplied 19-year-old Tucker Cipriano with drugs the night before he allegedly beat his father, Bob, to death with a baseball bat and leaving his mother, Rose, and brother, Sal, in critical condition.

According to a friend, Tucker got high on synthetic marijuana the night before the planned to break-in at his parents' Farmington Hills home.

Witnesses testify about day Bianca Jones went missing

Published On: Apr 27 2012 06:04:31 PM EDT Updated On: Apr 27 2012 06:16:02 PM EDT

Key witnesses in the Bianca Jones case are telling their story.

The 2-year-old Detroit girl hasn’t been seen since Dec. 2, 2011, when her father said he was carjacked with the girl in the back seat.

Murder charges filed, death penalty sought in kidnapping, slaying of Montana teacher

BILLINGS, Mont. — Prosecutors on Friday filed murder charges and said they intend to seek the death penalty against two men accused of kidnapping a Montana teacher whose body was discovered in North Dakota two months after she disappeared.

Lester Van Waters Jr., 48, and Michael Keith Spell, 22, are accused of grabbing Sherry Arnold off a street in Sidney, Mont., on Jan. 7 while she was on a pre-dawn run.

READ MORE :

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/murder-charges-filed-death-penalty-sought-for-suspects-in-montana-teachers-kidnapping-death/2012/04/27/gIQA1kv1lT_story.html

Details in Phylicia Barnes murder emerge at hearing

By Justin Fenton, The Baltimore Sun

9:20 p.m. EDT, April 27, 2012

Prosecutors alleged Friday that the 28-year-old man charged with murdering Phylicia Barnes asphyxiated the teenager in her sister's Northwest Baltimore apartment, and then moved her body using a 35-gallon plastic tub.

Michael Maurice Johnson, the ex-boyfriend of Phylicia's older half-sister, was seen by a neighbor sweating and struggling to move a container from the apartment, Assistant State's Attorney Lisa Goldberg said at a hearing while arguing against bail for Johnson.

Trayvon Martin's friends frustrated over potentially long wait for trial

Those who knew South Florida teenager Trayvon Martin say it was an agonizing wait between the time of his shooting and George Zimmerman's arrest.

Now comes the prospect of waiting until at least next year to learn whether Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who shot Martin, is convicted or acquitted of second-degree murder.

READ MORE AND WATCH VIDEO:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/fl-trayvon-martin-uncertainty-20120427,0,7025192.story

Siblings organize events to help abused 4-year-old

Posted: Apr 27, 2012 10:35 PM EDTUpdated: Apr 27, 2012 11:25 PM EDT

By WIS Staff

LUGOFF, SC (WIS) - It's hard for Melissa Ogle and her brother Anthony Anderson to understand.

"What parent couldn't feel heartache?" said Ogle. "My heart was broken. My heart is still broke for her. I don't know what drives a person to do that to an innocent child."

When they first saw the news that a 4-year-old girl in Lugoff had several broken bones and other injuries of abuse, not tended to for months, they had to find a way to help.

Kershaw County Sheriff Jim Matthews called this case of child abuse, "horrific."

The girl's mother and her live-in boyfriend are charged with abusing the child.

"The whole county, the whole state for that matter was angry and everybody wanted to do something,' said Anderson. "It was just an outburst of anger. Everyone wanted to hurt something. But it wasn't the solution. The little girl was in the hospital. She needed our prayers. She needed our help."

READ MORE:
http://www.wistv.com/story/17861475/siblings-organize-events-to-help-abused-4-year-old

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