Garbage Trucks Lead to Discovery of Dead Florida Girl

Thursday, October 22, 2009

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — After 7-year-old Somer Thompson vanished on her way home from school, investigators tailed nine garbage trucks from her neighborhood to a Georgia landfill nearly 50 miles away, then picked through the trash as each rig spilled its load.

They sorted through more than 225 tons of garbage before their worst fears were realized: Sticking out of the rubbish were a child's lifeless legs.

Sheriff Rick Beseler said the quick discovery of Somer's body on Wednesday, two days after she disappeared, may have saved precious evidence that could lead to her killer.

"Had we not done this tactic, I believe that body would have been buried beneath hundreds of tons of debris, probably would have gone undiscovered forever," he said Thursday.

An autopsy to establish the cause of death was performed Thursday, but authorities would not disclose their findings. At a news conference, Beseler would not say if Somer had been sexually assaulted or answer other questions about the condition of the body.

"I fear for our community until we bring this person in. This is a heinous crime that's been committed," Beseler said. "And we're going to work as hard as we can to make this community safe."

Searching landfills is common when children disappear, but it is unusual to try to zero in on them more efficiently by tracking a neighborhood's garbage trucks, said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

"Time is the enemy in these cases and the sheriff used every resource," Allen said.

The sheriff said police have questioned more than 155 registered sex offenders in the area so far. State online records show 88 sex offenders live in Orange Park, a Jacksonville suburb of about 9,000 people just south of Jacksonville Naval Air Station.

Beseler would not say whether investigators believe the crime was committed by more than one person.

Somer's father and other family members were "torn up" upon hearing the news, aunt Laura Holt said.

As for the killer or killers, "I don't think they deserve to live," Holt said. "I don't think there's anything worse that a person can do — to kill a child and dump her in the dump like a piece of trash?"

The girl disappeared in a heavily populated residential area about a mile from a stretch of fast-food restaurants and other businesses. Investigators will presumably try to pinpoint the trash bin or garbage can where she was dumped, based on the trash around her and the truck's pickup route.

Tuesday was trash day in Somer's neighborhood, and it was Detective Bruce Owens' idea to track the garbage trucks to the landfill they use in Folkston, Ga., 48 miles way.

"At that time I realized that this is probably not going to turn out good," the 10-year veteran of the Clay County Sheriff's Office told The Florida Times-Union. But he said he had been expecting to find perhaps a backpack or a piece of clothing, not a body.

The sheriff said he had told the girl's mother, Diena Thompson, to prepare for the worst, and called her after receiving the news Wednesday night.

"Needless to say, she was absolutely devastated," Beseler said. "It was the hardest phone call I've ever had to make in my life, and I hope I never have to make another one like that."

Somer vanished on Monday during her mile-long walk home from school. Authorities said she squabbled with another child and walked ahead of the group. She was last seen outside a vacant house that was on her route home, sheriff's spokeswoman Mary Justino said. Investigators are examining the house for evidence, Justino said.

On Thursday, flowers and dozens of teddy bears were heaped around an oak tree across the street from Somer's home where about 200 people gathered for a candlelight vigil in front of the family's home just after sundown.

Diena Thompson came out to thank the group who sang "Amazing Grace" and "You Are My Sunshine," then recited the Lord's Prayer.

"I wish I could hug every one of you," Thompson said. "I love every one of you."

Neighbor Carter Beukema shouted his comments about if the accused killer goes to trial: "I hope I'm on the jury. He will pay."

Somer "was always happy unless she couldn't find anyone to play with," neighbor Robert Ocain said. "She trusted anybody. Honestly, I think all the kids around here do."

At the tree, Catherine Sullivan held her teary-eyed 5-year-old daughter, Nya Frederick. They drove to the Thompsons' neighborhood from Jacksonville because Sullivan wanted to show her child the dangers of being too friendly with strangers.

"She seemed to understand when I explained to her her mommy wouldn't see her anymore," the mother said.

Ice-skating circus bear 'tears trainer to pieces' in front of horrified children

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 8:31 AM on 23rd October 2009

A brown bear was shot dead by police after mauling its trainer (file photo)

An ice-skating brown bear killed a circus trainer and seriously injured another man after mauling them during rehearsals.

The performing bear dragged 25-year-old Dimitry Potapov across an ice rink by the neck and almost severed his legs.

A witness said the bear 'tore his neck and legs to pieces'.

The Russian trainer died from severe injuries after the attack in Bishkek, capital of the central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan.

A 29-year-old circus assistant who tried to rescue Mr Potapov was severely wounded by the five-year-old bear.

It is believed a large audience -including children - was in the circus at the time.

The attack came during rehearsals for a 'Bears on Ice' show by the prestigious Russian State Circus, which is on tour in the former Soviet state. The bear was later shot dead by police.

Last night a local doctor said the injured assistant, Yevgeny Popov, had been badly hurt.

'The victim has sustained serious injuries - deep scalp lacerations, bruising of the brain, lacerations on his body. His condition is considered critical,' said Dr Gulnara Tashibekova.

Many Russian circuses train bears to skate and even play ice hockey.

Seven years ago, a bear on loan from Russia to the Bishkek city zoo attacked and killed a small child who reached out to pet it.

Experts blamed its behaviour on severe malnourishment.

Baby discovered in car crash debris

AAP

October 23, 2009 06:35pm

A BABY has been found alive in the wreckage of a car crash that killed two people in central western New South Wales, the ambulance service says.

A local resident called paramedics to the single car crash on Narromine Road at Tullamore just before 4pm (AEDT) today, after finding a man and a woman dead.

However, the passerby discovered a baby, believed to be about 12 months old, alive in a capsule inside the car, the NSW Ambulance Service said.

The baby has been taken to Tullamore District Hospital with chest injuries.

The ambulance helicopter has been sent to the hospital in order to transport the baby if needed.

Earlier, a section of the Pacific Highway on the NSW mid north coast reopened after several hours closure due to a fatal collision involving two cars and three semi-trailers on the NSW mid-north coast.

Two cars and three semi-trailers were involved in the crash near Macksville, north of Kempsey, about 11pm on Thursday.

The male driver of one of the cars was killed when his vehicle was ripped in half and became wedged under one of the semi-trailers.

A section of the highway was reopened just before 8am (AEDT) today

Animal lover crushed by cows while walking dog

From The Times

October 23, 2009

A dog walker was trampled to death after being surrounded by a herd of cattle, an inquest was told yesterday.

A friend who was with her described how Anita Hinchey fell as she tried to hang on to the collar of her boxer. Mrs Hinchey, a 63-year-old divorced grandmother, regularly walked her dogs across farmland in St Fagans near Cardiff. Ruth Tugwell had her own dog with her but kept away from the cows.

Miss Tugwell said that the cattle “seemed curious and started to move towards us. They were in a semi-circular formation. I was heading towards the end so I could get away from them. Anita was walking nearer to them than me.” She added: “I turned and saw the cows had come closer. She appeared to trip backwards and couldn’t get her footing. I saw her head moving fast and I assume that’s when she was hit by the hoof of a cow. Her eyes were closed and she was in a foetal position.”

Miss Tugwell tried to reach her friend but was charged by a cow. By the time a paramedic arrived it was clear that Mrs Hinchey was dead. She had lacerations, broken ribs and bruises all over her body.

Mrs Hinchey had loved animals, her friend said. The pair often walked their dogs at St Fagans but the day, in July, was the first time they had entered the field where the cows were grazing.

Peter Davies, who owned the herd of 54 cattle, told the hearing that the women had wandered off the right of way over his land. He said: “Cows and calves are very docile — put them with a dog and it’s not always the case. Cattle can behave in a different way if they feel the dog is a threat to them.”

Asked by Mary Hassall, the Cardiff Coroner, what advice he would give to dog walkers to avoid being trampled, he said: “If you’re walking your dog through sheep, it’s vital you put the dog on a lead. If you’re walking a dog through cattle, it’s absolutely vital you take your dog off the lead.”

The National Farmers’ Union echoed the warning that walkers should not hang on to their dogs if they met aggressive cattle. NFU advice is that the dangers from cattle are increased by the presence of a dog, and that young calves can be particularly aggressive. If confronted, walkers should move to the edge of the field and should not run, it says.

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Several people died this summer after being trampled by cows. David Blunkett, the former Home Secretary, narrowly escaped when he was attacked walking with his guide dog.

Elderly woman, 82, starved to death trying care for her two middle-aged disabled children

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 11:20 AM on 23rd October 2009

An 82-year-old woman starved to death after struggling to care for herself and her middle-aged disabled son and daughter, an inquest heard.

Mollie Hanton was extremely 'thin and emaciated' when a neighbour found her lying slumped on the sofa in August.

Her son, who has learning difficulties, raised the alarm after not being able to wake her that day, the inquest was told.

The home in Camberley, Surrey, where Mollie Hanton, 82, starved herself to death while caring for her two disabled children

Woking Coroner's Court heard that Mrs Hanton died of natural causes, brought on by self-neglect.

It was suggested that the pensioner, who was naturally independent, did not want to ask for help for fear of losing her children.

Jayne Harvey had lived next door to Mrs Hanton and her two grown-up children in Camberley, Surrey, for nearly seven years.

Mrs Hanton's son who has learning difficulties and her daughter who also learning difficulties is partially sighted as well.

Mrs Harvey said the family usually just passed the time of day, but recognising Mrs Hanton's plight she had offered to help out more.

Visibly upset, she told the inquest: 'I offered on numerous occasions to do her shopping, but she was very independent. It was very hard to make her take up the offer.'

Mrs Harvey said she never went into the house but became concerned after the house began to smell in the last six weeks of Mrs Hanton's life.

She said: 'I think it was coming from the house, but it was so overwhelming.

'It was obvious that she was getting very thin and that was when I approached her and asked if she wanted some help, or to get a doctor.

'It was when I noticed her legs that I began to worry about her.

'She was standing on the back porch with her trousers rolled up and I thought I had dreamt it. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.'

Pathologist Norman Ratcliffe carried out the postmortem examination on Mrs Hanton's body and found Mrs Hanton had severe ulcers on her leg.

The ulcers were so severe ulcers from the mid-calf downwards there was no 'viable tissue', said Mr Ratcliffe.

He told deputy coroner Karin Englehart that Mrs Hanton 'appeared unkempt and emaciated'.

Her lungs were scarred and there was evidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, he said.

But he ruled that death was due to natural causes, made worse by Mrs Hanton's self neglect.

Mr Ratcliffe said: 'Any general debility caused by lack of nutrition or septicaemia of the ulcers removes the body's ability to deal with stress.'

Praising Mrs Harvey's neighbourly spirit, Ms Engle-hart asked if she had ever thought about calling a doctor.

Breaking down, Mrs Harvey said: 'She wouldn't have thanked me if I had.'

Mrs Harvey said she saw less of Mrs Hanton's children.

'The son could have had a wash a bit more than he did, but you never had a huge amount of contact with him.

'And I didn't see the daughter until the day I went to pick up a shopping list. She never stepped out of the house.'

But on August 29 the son knocked on her door at around 5pm.

Mrs Harvey said: 'He said could I help because he couldn't wake his mum.

'She was in the lounge just sat on the end of the edge of the sofa, sort of slumped forward.'

Mrs Hanton's brother William Pankling said he had visited her in July for her birthday after being called by Mrs Harvey, who was concerned for her health.

He usually only saw her once a year - on Boxing Day - to exchange presents.

Mr Pankling, himself a pensioner, said his sister was clearly not well.

He said: 'Her health has never been that good, but I suppose she was wearing herself out.

'She looked haggard and I think she had given up on her house. Maybe it is her own fault because she never let anyone past the doorstep.

'It was obvious she needed medical attention, but she wouldn't let anyone in the house.

'I said go and see them, but she said "oh no, I don't like doctors".'

In recording a verdict of death by natural causes, compounded by self neglect, Ms Englehart said: 'This is a very sad case.'

The touching moment Camilla met Afghanistan veteran, 18, who lost three limbs in bomb explosion, and told her: 'I'll walk again'

By Liz Hazelton and Rebecca English

Last updated at 4:29 AM on 23rd October 2009

He's only 18 and yet his courage in the face of devastating injury has daunted and inspired all who have been in his company.

Craig Wood lost his left arm and both legs to a bomb in Afghanistan and is now one of only three triple amputees to have survived the war.

There are times when he despairs of his predicament, yet all who have met him tell of his humbling determination to overcome his injuries and learn to walk again.

Terrible injuries: Craig Wood, 18, lost both legs and part of his left arm as well as suffering facial injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan

Yesterday the Duchess of Cornwall joined their number during a visit to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Unit at Headley Court near Epsom in Surrey, where she watched him receiving some gentle physiotherapy.

Craig was one of the youngest servicemen to be injured in Afghanistan after being blown up while on his first foot patrol in Helmand Province this summer.

The Rifleman was given a 50 per cent chance of survival by doctors at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, who were forced to amputate his left arm and both legs. Twenty-seven pints of blood were used in the battle to keep him alive. He still bears facial scars from the blast.

Support: Craig with fiancee Vicky Swales, 16, mother Lesley, and father Paul

Yesterday he told the Duchess that although he arrived in Afghanistan back in April - the same month that he turned 18 - he was out of action for his first few weeks of duty because of a shoulder injury.

On July 30 he was finally deemed fit enough to go out on patrol with his colleagues in 2nd Battalion the Rifles. Taliban gunmen ambushed the soldiers and triggered a bomb near him.

A helicopter that had been called in to fly him to safety was forced to land and take off in direct gunfire after a battle began between the soldiers and the Taliban.

Craig said: 'I'd only been out an hour and a half but I was the only person injured. The helicopters are absolutely amazing in how fast they get out to you. That's what saves your life.'

He was put into a drug-induced coma and transferred to hospital in Birmingham where, even as he drifted in and out of consciousness, he began to have nightmares about losing his limbs.

He contracted a number of serious infections as he fought for life, including MRSA in the tracheotomy in his throat and septicaemia in his wrist, which meant that his arm had to be cut back further by doctors.

He arrived at Headley Court just a few days ago where he has already discussed prosthetic limbs with his consultant.

Craig, who is engaged to 16-year-old girlfriend Vicky Swales, admits that he is sometimes overwhelmed by what has happened to him.

'Sometimes I wake up and start crying for no reason at all,' he said. 'When I joined the Army I did not really think about getting injured.

'I have to see the best in it. I'm going to start walking in a matter of weeks. I have lost a number of good colleagues so I know how lucky I am, in a way.'

Craig pictured in July 2009 serving with 2 Rifles in Afghanistan

At her home in Doncaster, Craig's mother Lesley, 45, a school worker, said that Camilla's visit provided an important boost. The young soldier has already met Princes William, Harry and Charles on previous visits.

She said: 'Charles was my favourite. He was so down-to-earth. He came when Craig was in critical care and he was genuinely concerned about him.

'It's so important that people show their support for our injured troops. It lifts their spirits and helps them get through each day.'

Mrs Wood, who lives with Craig's father, Paul, 49, a postman, said her son had dreamed of serving his country since he was a boy. 'It's all he ever wanted to do,' she said.

Even though Craig is recovering well, the family don't know how long it will be before he can move back home.

His mother added: 'Craig has always had an amazing spirit, and I think that helped his recovery. He's just so determined. It's inspirational.'

During her visit to Headley Court yesterday, the Duchess of Cornwall saw another injured soldier demonstrate a Nasa-designed running machine that left him jogging on air.

Rehabilitation: Patients are sent to Headley Court to recover from their injuries. Many are amputees

Putting them through their paces: Camilla with Lance Corporal Peter Dunning (left) and Lance Corporal Mark

Lance Corporal Stuart Glover, 25, of the Queen's Royal Hussars broke his foot, shoulder and six vertebrae in his back in February when he was blown up in Helmand but with the help of the £60,000 machine is slowly working back to fitness.

It has allowed him to run for the first time using pressurised air to vary how much of his body weight is behind every step, reducing it by as much as 80 per cent. Nasa uses the machine to reacclimatise astronauts who have returned to Earth.

Headley Court's 84-acre site has accommodation and rehabilitation facilities for up to 160 patients.

As she left yesterday, Camilla, who is Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles, described the soldiers she met as 'inspiring'.

Craig Wood's parents have set up a fund to help pay for his recovery. Cheques can be made payable to Craig Wood c/o PO Box 17, 19 St Sepulchre Gate, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN1 1SJ.

Minn. Man Pleads Guilty Driving La-Z-Boy Chair Drunk

Thursday, October 22, 2009

DULUTH, Minn. — A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to driving his motorized La-Z-Boy chair while drunk.

A criminal complaint says 62-year-old Dennis LeRoy Anderson told police he left a bar in the northern Minnesota town of Proctor on his chair after drinking eight or nine beers.

Prosecutors say Anderson's blood alcohol content was 0.29, more than three times the legal limit, when he crashed into a parked vehicle in August 2008. He was not seriously injured.

Police said the chair was powered by a converted lawnmower and had a stereo and cup holders.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Heather Sweetland stayed 180 days of jail time Monday and ordered two years of probation for Anderson. His attorney, David Keegan, did not immediately return a call for comment.

'Teachers water-boarded my autistic son,' claims U.S. mother

By Mail Foreign Service

Last updated at 12:35 PM on 23rd October 2009

Autistic teenager Garrett Schilling was reportedly held under running water and forced to eat his own vomit

Two teacher’s aides are accused of holding a 14-year-old autistic boy’s head under running water, forcing him to eat his own vomit and making him sit in his soiled clothes for hours.

Garrett Schilling, who cannot speak, attended Great Falls’ North Middle School, in Montana, from 2008 until April 2009.

He allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of Kristina Marie Kallies and Julie Ann Parish, who each deny charges of one felony count of assault and one misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of children.

The boy’s mother Tifonie Schilling says she learned of the alleged abuse after another staff member emailed her.

She said: ‘He was having water-boarding-like torture done to him on a frequent basis. They were holding his head under the water.’

Maria Bubb, who worked as a substitute teacher in Garrett’s classroom in October and November last year, said in court documents that staff were ‘mean and degrading’ to the teenager and that Kallies would ‘point her finger in his face and scream at him’

Other teachers have also testified to say they saw Garrett’s head held under running water and described how he was forced to sit in his own faeces for hours.

Mrs Schilling said ‘He lives in a world now where he is constantly in fear that somebody is going to hurt him.’

If Kallies and Parish are convicted, they could face a maximum of five-and-a-half years in prison.

The parents of five other children at the school also claim their children were abused.

Oct. 22, 2009

Caring burglar returns ashes to grieving mom

(AP) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - A burglar with a conscience returned a keepsake containing a boy's ashes to his Orlando mother after seeing the woman talk about it on television. The ashes were in a small vial that looks like a necklace. It, along with jewelry, money, a television and other things were swiped when Emely Santana's home was ransacked this week.

Santana is still grieving the June death of 18-year-old son Giovanni Perez. She picks up his urn when she's sad to feel closer to him, and planned to give the necklace to her mother.

Santana got her wish on Wednesday. The stolen vial reappeared in the back of her car, wrapped in the comics section of the newspaper.

The other things are still gone, but the grieving mom said she can replace those.

Little lad is top muscle champ

By HARRY HAYDON

Published: Today

THIS bodybuilding lad has launched into the record books after stunning Guinness judges with his incredible stunts.

Romanian muscle boy Giuliano Stroe — aged just FIVE — lives with his family in Italy where he has been training since he was two years old.

Earlier this year he managed to get into the Guinness Book of Records after performing a jaw-dropping handstand stunt on an Italian TV show.

Astonished

The powerful lad preformed the fastest ever 10m hand walk with a weight ball between his legs in front of an astonished audience.

And Giuliano has now become an internet hit after hundreds of thousands of people watched a clip of him performing the stunt on YouTube.

Dad Iulian Stroe, 33, said: "He has been going to the gym with me ever since he was born. I always took him with me when I went training."

But he added there is no danger of the youngster harming himself, saying: "I have been training hard all my life myself.

"He is never allowed to practice on his own, he is only a child and if he gets tired we go and play."

Giuliano, the oldest of four children, says his stardom has not gone to his head and he still enjoys normal kids stuff like painting, watching cartoons and playing in the park when he is not weightlifting.

But it seems he has picked up a taste for fame — revealing he loves being filmed and when people applaud it makes him happy

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