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Tag:
Special Needs
Wildwood, NJ
Police & Fire
14-Year-Old Boy Missing After Going Swimming In Wildwood: Police
A search is continuing for a 14-year-old Philadelphia boy who went missing after entering the water in Wildwood on Monday, June 1, authorities said. At 1:26 p.m., officers were flagged down after a swimmers were in distress at Schellenger Avenue and the Beach in Wildwood, Wildwood police said. First responders rushed to the scene and assisted three swimmers out of the water, though a 14-year-old, later identified by his family as Davaris Carter III, was still missing. Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police assisted with the search, police said. After two hours of s…
Middletown-Wallkill, NY
Police & Fire
Bus Aide Accused Of Abusing Nonverbal Child With Autism In Crawford
A bus aide has been arrested in Orange County on allegations that he physically abused a nonverbal child with autism while he was being taken to a special needs school, police announced. Ulster County resident Eric J. Bianco, 59, of Cragsmoor, was arrested on Friday, May 15, and charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, according to the Town of Crawford Police Department. According to police, Bianco worked as a bus aide for First Student, Inc. and is accused of abusing a juvenile victim during two separate incidents.&…
Pascack Valley, NJ
News
After Federal Lawsuit And Temporary Spaces, Valley Chabad Will Soon Have A Home
After years spent operating out of homes, hotels, schools, and rented spaces, and setbacks including a federal lawsuit, Valley Chabad is finally breaking ground on a permanent home. On May 17, at 11 a.m., the Jewish center that serves residents in Saddle River and the Pascack Valley will hold a groundbreaking and cornerstone-setting ceremony for its brand-new 2,000-square-foot facility at 530 Chestnut Ridge Rd. Rabbi Dov Drizin says the move marks the beginning of a long-awaited new chapter for the Jewish outreach organization that has served residents in the area for more t…
Smithtown, NY
Police & Fire
Death Of Mom, Special Needs Son In Smithtown Fire Inspires Fundraiser Honoring First Responders
A Long Island mother and her special needs son who died in a house fire are being remembered for their kindness, courage, and the love they shared. Christine Lehmann, 52, and her son, Nicholas, 25, were killed when flames tore through their Smithtown home on Fifty Acres Road around 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, as Daily Voice reported. A third resident, 91-year-old Ronald Montagna, was rescued from the burning house and taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with smoke inhalation and burns, according to Suffolk County Police. Multiple 911 callers reported the home engulfed in flames, prompt…
Fredericksburg, VA
News
Virginia Dad Crashes 15 Feet Off Ladder Onto Asphalt — Family Begs For Help After Horror Fall
A Virginia father is facing a long recovery after falling more than a dozen feet from a ladder while working on a job, his family said. On Saturday, Aug. 30, Christopher Sullivan was pressure washing a metal roof when the washer got wedged between the roof and ladder, leading to a dangerous situation. As he tried to free it, the ladder shifted left, sending Sullivan and the machine tumbling nearly 15 feet onto asphalt, according to his wife. Sullivan was left with catastrophic injuries that included a brain bleed, broken jaw, and broken wrist. Doctors are now waiting for swelling ar…
Montville, NJ
Police & Fire
Special Needs Child Left On Bus For Hours, Driver Charged: Morris County Prosecutor
A 61-year-old bus driver was arrested and charged after a 4-year-old with special needs was left on a school bus for more than two hours in Morris County, authorities announced Monday, July 28. The child's absence on Thursday, July 10, was first observed by staff at Valley View Elementary School in Towaco, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano said. The parents told school officials their child boarded the bus and the child was eventually located on a school bus parked in a bus yard, authorities said.…
Jersey City, NJ
Police & Fire
Man Beaten With Brick At Jersey City PATH Station: Police
Two people were arrested and charged after an assault at the Journal Square Transportation Center in Jersey City, authorities announced Monday, July 21. On Thursday, July 17, the victim, a 38-year-old man diagnosed with special needs, was sitting on the floor of the concourse when he was smashed in the head by a brick, the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association said. As the victim was sprawled on the floor in a puddle of blood, the suspect, Troy Laboo again hit him in the head with a brick, authorities said. Laboo was apprehended and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault,…
Pleasantville, NY
News
Survivors File Lawsuits Over Alleged Sexual Abuse At Pleasantville Youth Treatment Center
Seven people who say they were sexually abused as children at two Westchester residential treatment centers have filed lawsuits against the organizations behind the facilities. The lawsuits, announced Monday, July 7, by the law firm Levy Konigsberg, allege abuse by staff members at the Jewish Child Care Association (JCAA)'s Edenwald Center and Pleasantville Cottage School in Pleasantville. The plaintiffs, described as special needs children at the time, were placed in the facilities by New York City's Administration for Children’s Services, according to the filing. Attorneys Ma…
Mastic-Shirley, NY
News
BF In 'Jealous Rage' Beat Mother Of 3 To Death Inside Mastic Beach Home, DA Says
A Long Island man is accused of beating his girlfriend and a mother of three to death in a jealous rage. Duntrell Thomas, 30, of Mastic Beach, was indicted for murder and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the killing of his domestic partner, Cheray Jenkins. Thomas flew into a jealous rage after finding the 41-year-old Jenkins inside the living room of their shared Mastic Beach home with another man who lived there on Wednesday, Feb. 12, according to the Suffolk County DA’s office. Believing the two were having an affair, Thomas began attacking Jenkins as she…
Mastic-Shirley, NY
News
BF In 'Jealous Rage' Beat Mother Of 3 To Death Inside Mastic Beach Home, DA Says
A Long Island man is accused of beating his girlfriend and a mother of three to death in a jealous rage. Duntrell Thomas, 30, of Mastic Beach, was indicted for murder and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the killing of his domestic partner, Cheray Jenkins. Thomas flew into a jealous rage after finding the 41-year-old Jenkins inside the living room of their shared Mastic Beach home with another man who lived there on Wednesday, Feb. 12, according to the Suffolk County DA’s office. Believing the two were having an affair, Thomas began attacking Jenkins as she…
Hartford, CT
Lifestyle
'Divine' Show Shot In CT With Hollywood Legend Ready For Its Debut
It's a show about spreading grace with a famous face and a familiar place. That's the pitch for the new season of "Divine Renovation, Destination: New England," a home renovation show filmed entirely in northwestern Connecticut. The first episode will premiere on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 a.m. on Fox 61 in Hartford and will air each Saturday for four more weeks. The episodes are also currently streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and Roku, among other platforms. The first season, filmed in North Carolina, can also be viewed on those streamers. Erik Estrada, of "CHiPs" fame, will host t…
Ridgefield Park-Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Police & Fire
3-Vehicle Crash With School Bus Sends Jeep Driver To Hospital In Wood-Ridge
One person was hospitalized in a three-vehicle crash with a school bus carrying people with special needs on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 9 in Bergen County, Daily Voice has learned. The school bus was carrying a group of both children and adults with special needs when it collided with a Jeep and one other vehicle on Hackensack Street at North Avenue in Wood-Ridge, sources said. The bus was evacuated and no injuries were reported. The Jeep driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Trumbull-Monroe, CT
Obituaries
Trumbull Social Worker Who Drowned Known For 'Tirelessly Helping Others'
A Fairfield County social worker who drowned while swimming in a lake is being remembered for "tirelessly helping others." Related: 38-Year-Old Drowns In Trumbull Lake William "Will" Krahe, age 38, of Trumbull, died around 7 p.m. at Pinewood Lake, in the Nichols section of Trumbull, on Wednesday, July 3. Police said Will had been at the lake with family members and was swimming near a floating dock anchored a short distance from the shoreline beach when he went under the water and did not surface. Will was born in Bridgeport to William and Eileen Krahe and grew up in Fairfield, whe…
Marlton-Evesham, NJ
News
Boy Who Drowned On First Day Of NJ Summer Camp Defied Odds Since Birth, Campaign Says
The 6-year-old boy who died after being found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a South Jersey summer camp has been identified, authorities said. Michael Stewart was a rising first grader at the Lumberton Township School District, Superintendent Colleen Murray said in a letter to the community posted on the district's website. A GoFundMe campaign launched for his mother, Enjoli, said Michael drowned during free swim at Liberty Lake Day Camp in Mansfield Township. "Michael came into this world a fighter from the day he was born," reads the campaign launched by Kayla Ogletree. "He…
Pascack Valley, NJ
Police & Fire
Update
: Pedestrian Struck, Killed On Garden State Parkway Was Missing Rockland Teen
A missing Rockland County girl died when she was struck on the Garden State Parkway by two vehicles -- one of which kept going -- just before dawn Thursday, authorities said. The 14-year-old victim from Chestnut Ridge was pronounced dead on the darkened southbound highway near Exit 171 south of the James Gandolfini Service Area in Montvale shortly after 5 a.m. Nov. 16, they said. An unknown vehicle hit the girl first and kept going, New Jersey State Police Trooper Troy McNair said. A Chevy Tahoe traveling behind that vehicle then hit her, as well, he said. The Tahoe driver "cont…
Alexandria, VA
Police & Fire
Toddler Who Died In Fall From Alexandria High-Rise ID'd By Aunt
Support was surging for the family of a 3-year-old boy who fell to his death from an Alexandria high-rise in June 2023. The tot was identified by his aunt, Melissa Velasquez, as Dylan Velasquez, on a GoFundMe campaign launched for his parents. Police said only that the boy fell from a building at the Arrive Apartments on Yoakum Parkway on Wednesday, June 28, just before 2 p.m. Dylan Velasquez.GoFundMe photo Melanie Velasquez Melissa says on the campaign that her nephew fell from a window. "This loss became a traumatic tragedy for my family who never thought this could be a story for …
Newark, NJ
Neighbors
Inspiring Coach Sees Community Support After Shooting
The Montclair community wants to help Coach Butter. Khalid Branch a.ka. Coach Butter was shot in the foot over Mother's Day weekend. A fundraiser has been set up to assist him while he recovers. As of Friday, June 9, almost $4,500 has been raised. "Can't we give him a boost and ease his burden while he's out of commission?" Ashley Few, who organized the fundraiser, said. "I can't think of a more deserving person." Coach Butter, who has special needs and earned his associates degree from Essex County College, works at the Geyer YMCA, where he is known for having the kindest and gentlest sou…
Hamilton Township, NJ
News
Tornado Damaged Kids' Ballfield In Mercer County
A tornado damaged an accessible baseball field in Mercer County last month and the public has been rallying to help get their season back on track. The rubberized field, capable of being used by wheelchairs and walkers, is enjoyed by about 200 special needs kids from the region. An F-1 tornado cancelled opening day in April, and delayed the start of the season until last Saturday, May 6, according to officials at the Miracle League of Mercer County. The bleachers collapsed. And the rubberized surface in the outfield was damaged by the tornado. Repairs have cost at least $10,000 so far, s…
Bristol, PA
Police & Fire
Bucks Mom And Daughter Missing, Car Found Abandoned In Philly: Police
Detectives are investigating the disappearance of a Bucks County mom and her daughter, whose car was found abandoned in Philadelphia Saturday morning, according to authorities. Bridget Hennigan and her daughter Danielle Hennigan were reported missing on Friday, April 14 by husband and dad Daniel Hennigan, Bensalem police said in a release. "His wife Bridget suffers from anxiety and depression and his daughter is developmentally challenged," the department wrote. They were last seen at 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 13. Then on Saturday, April 15, police in Philadelphia …
New City, NY
Business
New Lego Store In Hudson Valley Helps People With Special Needs
Lego fans looking for a new set or who need a few red or yellow special pieces, or moms sick of bins full of bricks the kids never play with can all find happiness at a new Hudson Valley Lego resale store. Named "Brick It Again," the Rockland County store has just opened its doors in Valley Cottage, and the best part is it provides workers with developmental challenges to learn job skills. The brainchild of Jawonio CEO Randi Rios-Castro, a non-profit organization services provider in both Rockland and Westchester counties dedicated to advancing the independence, well-being, and e…
Worcester, MA
Police & Fire
Special Needs Van T-Boned In Clinton, 7 Sent To Hospital: Fire Department
A special needs van was T-boned at an intersection in Clinton on Thursday, Jan. 26, sending several people to an area hospital for treatment, fire officials said. The crash happened when a work van collided with a Keissling Transit van carrying several adults with special needs and staff members on Brook Street just after 8:30 a.m. to HMEA, authorities said. The driver of the work van was treated on the scene and released, a Clinton fire captain said. Firefighters took the others to receive care out of precaution, and they had no other means of transportation. The most serious injury app…
Fairfax, VA
Schools
Instructional Assistant At Virginia ES Caught Assaulting Special Needs Student, Police Say
An instructional assistant at Glen Forest Elementary School in Fairfax County is facing charges after being caught allegedly assaulting a student with special needs last month. The Fairfax County Police Department announced that Meredith Capets, 36, of Alexandria, was served a warrant for simple assault and turned herself in on Tuesday, Jan. 3 to face the charge. Investigators say that on Thursday, Dec. 8, an employee at the elementary school in Falls Church spotted Capets assaulting a student with disabilities, which was then immediately reported to school administrators. Following a near…
Alexandria, VA
Police & Fire
Special Needs Student Assaulted By Reston School Employee: Police
A staff member at Dogwood Elementary School in Reston was recently charged for assaulting a special needs student, police said. Two teachers witnessed Mark MacDicken, who has been an employee of the school for almost 10 years, assaulting the student on Sept. 16, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. There was no further information given about the incident. On Sept. 20, law enforcement arrested MacDicken and he was released from police custody on his signature, authorities said. Police are asking anyone with more information to call them at 703-246-7800.
Fredericksburg, VA
Obituaries
VA Boy Is 2nd 6-Year-Old Boy With Autism To Drown On East Coast In 24 Hour Span
Two 6-year-old boys with autism — one from Virginia the other from New York — drowned near their homes over 600 miles away from each other just days apart. Landon “Waldy” Raber, who is non-verbal and has Down syndrome, was found dead in a pond around 5:30 a.m. Monday, July 11 after he wandered away from his home in Buckingham County Sunday evening, authorities said. Onnex Thompson-Hall, a 6-year-old boy with autism, was also found dead in a pond the day before not too far from his home in upstate New York. He was reported missing from the Washington County Fairgrounds at around 10:40 a.m.…
Fairfax, VA
Schools
VA Toddler Was Abused And Bus Driver, Attendant Let It Happen: Police
A northern Virginia bus driver and her attendant failed to protect a 3-year-old special needs student who was severely injured on their school bus, authorities announced. Rqia Tabite, 36, and Teresa Wessells, 70, both of Falls Church, face an abuse and child neglect charge stemming from an incident earlier this year, Vienna police said. Officers were called to a bus stop on March 18 after a Fairfax County Public Schools bus driver had gotten into an argument with a parent after their child was injured on the bus ride home from school, Vienna police said. It's unclear how the ch…
Mount Pleasant, NY
Police & Fire
Man Charged With Kidnapping After Missing NY 15-Year-Old Found In Virginia
A man is facing kidnapping charges after allegedly taking a 15-year-old Long Island boy he met online out of state. Suffolk County Police Fifth Squad detectives are investigating the circumstances during which the missing special needs boy was found in Virginia early on Wednesday, June 30. The boy was reported missing by his family on Tuesday, June 29 at approximately 1:30 p.m., after he was last seen leaving his home at 11:30 a.m., police said. Following an investigation, detectives determined the boy had been communicating with a 20-year-old man residing in Tennessee through an ins…
Bristol, PA
News
Bucks County Family, Businesses Displaced By Raging Fire
Support is surging for a Bucks County family -- including two kids who have special needs -- and several businesses displaced by a fire earlier this week. The blaze ravaged the Weigand family's Farragut Avenue apartment sometime around 12 a.m. Tuesday. The bar downstairs, Sadie's Irish Pub, was also damaged. As a result, Penny Weigand and her two daughters Jes Weigand Martine and Jacqueline Weigand -- along with Jes' two kids -- lost everything. Several local businesses including a pub and tattoo parlor were also destroyed. Two separate GoFundMe campaigns had been launched for Jes and…
Elizabeth, NJ
News
Murder
Suicide
: Connecticut Mom Intentionally Drove Son With Special Needs Into Lake, PD Says
A crash in which a Connecticut mom intentionally drove her son with special needs into Connecticut lake last summer has been ruled a murder-suicide, authorities said following a lengthy investigation. Connie Crowell, 54, of Monroe, was behind the wheel of an SUV, with her 22-year-old son John Crowell in the passenger's seat, when she steered the vehicle into the Housatonic River in Seymour on July 31, 2020. A nearby boater trying to rescue the Crowells said the driver refused to acknowledge or accept the boater's assistance and rescue efforts, Seymour Deputy Police Chief Robe…
Hartford, CT
Police & Fire
Special-Needs/Weed CEO Is Accused Of Stealing $50,000 From Taxpayers
A marijuana entrepreneur who owns a Connecticut vocational center for people with special needs is facing fraud charges. Karen Gaston, 39, of East Granby, was charged in Connecticut on Tuesday, Sept. 22 with larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community, health insurance fraud, and criminal attempt to commit larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community, according to Connecticut’s Division of Criminal Justice. Gaston is the owner of Elegant Clinical Corporation in East Windsor, a nonprofit that seeks to provide vocational education to people with special needs…
Elizabeth, NJ
News
'Where's The Compassion?' NJ Boy With Autism Kicked Out Of Church During Sister's Baptism
A Union County mom says her son who has autism was kicked out of church by the priest during her daughter's baptism. Nicky, 7, was playing with a ball during his sister Sofia's baptism at Christ the King Church Saturday in Hillside, Julia Vicidomini said on Facebook. The service was private, for family only, which Vicidomini said made her feel more comfortable as Nicky -- who is non-verbal -- doesn't do well during long mass services. "Yes, he was playing with a toy where he should not have been, however, the way the priest kicked him out of the church was completely rude and disrespectful…
Jersey City, NJ
Obituaries
Linden Man With Special Needs, 26, Dies In Apartment Fire
A Linden man was killed in a two-alarm blaze that broke out at his apartment, authorities said. Cyril Spinks, 26, was inside of his second-floor McCandless Street apartment when the fire broke out around 8 p.m. Monday, authorities said. Affectionately known as "Chewy," Spinks -- formerly of Elizabeth -- had special needs and was being remembered as an "amazing soul." The 1400 block building's second floor was fully-engulfed in flames when firefighters and law enforcement officers arrived, Linden police said. Firefighters from Linden, Elizabeth, Rahway, Roselle Park, and Garwood battled th…
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