Police Blotter

Police blotter reports are generally written by the authoritative agency and only edited by Shore News Network for grammar and accuracy. If you have any questions regarding the information in these reports, please contact the issuing authority.

Suspect uses hammer and fire extinguisher in motel assault

Suspect uses hammer and fire extinguisher in motel assault

Henderson, NE A man is in custody following an alleged brutal assault outside a motel. Roger Lee Abramson, 49, faces charges including second-degree assault and terroristic threats.

The incident occurred late on Wednesday night at the Sun Motel. Abramson reportedly attacked two men, aged 78 and 53, leaving one severely injured.

The York County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of the assault around 11 p.m. Deputies discovered one victim bleeding from his arm.

The second victim sustained more serious injuries but remained conscious. He stated that Abramson struck him multiple times with a hammer before switching to a fire extinguisher.

Witnesses indicated Abramson had beaten the man on his head and arm with the hammer until it broke. After the hammer snapped, Abramson allegedly taunted the victim before continuing the assault with the fire extinguisher.

Emergency medical personnel transported both victims to the hospital. Investigators found blood outside the motel room and retrieved the broken hammer.

Abramson was taken into custody shortly after the incident. A motive for the attack was not detailed in the arrest affidavit.

He is currently being held at the York County Jail with a bond set at $200,000. Abramson is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

Memphis man sentenced to life for killing newborn daughter and mother

Memphis man sentenced to life for killing newborn daughter and mother

MEMPHIS, TN A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his newborn daughter and her mother. Brandon Isabelle, 28, received consecutive sentences totaling 96 years for the killings of 27-year-old Danielle Hoyle and their infant daughter, Kennedy Hoyle. He was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Isabelle had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The sentences included 51 years for the murders and an additional 45 years for aggravated child neglect and especially aggravated kidnapping.

The events leading to the sentencing began on January 30, 2022, when Isabelle learned that Hoyle was in labor. Following the birth of Kennedy, he sent numerous texts to a new girlfriend while at the hospital, indicating a desire to end his relationship with Hoyle.

On February 1, shortly after Hoyle and her baby were released from the hospital, Isabelle met them under the pretense of delivering baby clothes. He persuaded Hoyle to drive along a secluded road where he shot her multiple times before leaving her body in a ditch.

Authorities detailed that Isabelle then took his daughter and abandoned her in the Mississippi River. Law enforcement later recovered Hoyle’s body, while Kennedy’s remains have not been found.

Isabelle was arrested after police discovered blood on his socks matching that of Hoyle. He was stoic during the court proceedings and received the sentence earlier this week in a Shelby County courtroom.

Shelby County chief prosecutor Eric Christensen expressed the family’s relief regarding the sentencing. He emphasized the commitment to justice for the victims.

Babysitter charged after infant suffers severe injuries

Babysitter charged after infant suffers severe injuries

Cincinnati, OH

A 37-year-old babysitter has been charged in connection with allegations of nearly beating an infant to death while the child’s mother was at work. Amanda L. Greger faces two counts of endangering a child and one count of tampering with evidence.

On November 10, staff at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital reported a suspected case of child abuse to the Goshen Township Police Department. The alleged incident occurred at a residence on Woodville Pike involving a 1-year-old girl.

The infant was admitted with “altered mental status” and appeared to have suffered multiple injuries, including blood seeping from her right eye and a diagnosed brain bleed.

Greger was watching the child overnight on November 9. According to the child’s mother, when she returned home the following morning, she found her daughter asleep and later noticed abrasions on the infant’s lip and lethargy.

Greger was reportedly asleep in the same room as the child when the mother found her daughter’s injuries. The babysitter was wearing a hooded sweatshirt covered in what appeared to be blood and vomit.

Police executed a search warrant at the Woodville Pike home and discovered bloodstains throughout the room. The child’s clothing was located in a washing machine, cleaned but still stained.

The victim’s mother confirmed the clothing found was the same her daughter wore prior to sustaining the injuries.

Lindsay Bilby, the victim’s aunt, established a GoFundMe page to assist the family. The page identified Melissa Bilby as the mother and described Greger as a trusted friend.

According to the fundraising page, the child is receiving intensive medical care for her injuries, which include a brain bleed, bruised organs, and fluid accumulation.

In court on Thursday, a judge ordered Greger to remain in detention on a $500,000 cash bond. If released, she must avoid contact with the victim or any other children. Greger is scheduled to return to court on December 1.

Mother charged with murder after allegedly beating daughter to death

Mother charged with murder after allegedly beating daughter to death

Ferndale, MI A mother has been charged with murder following the death of her 14-year-old daughter with autism. Vangie Renee Averhart, 37, stands accused in connection with the death of Kylee Clark, who died in July at a hospital.

Prosecutors have stated that Kylee suffered fatal blunt force trauma to the back of her head. They described the severity of her injuries as comparable to those sustained in a high-speed car crash.

Averhart reportedly provided multiple inconsistent accounts regarding how her daughter sustained her injuries. Initial statements included claims that Kylee had choked on food, although further investigation contradicted these claims.

Family sources allege that Kylee lived in a locked room and that Averhart expressed a desire to disassociate from her daughter. Child Protective Services had previously investigated Averhart several times regarding the child’s wellbeing.

Kylee’s family reported that she sustained her injuries on July 7 and succumbed to her injuries five days later, in a local hospital. They highlighted that Averhart’s statements regarding the incident lacked credibility.

The victim’s paternal great-uncle characterized Averhart’s behavior as deceitful, adding that she lacked compassion for her daughter. He mentioned that Kylee’s father had sought custody in the months before the tragedy.

Averhart is being held without bond at Wayne County Jail. Her next court appearance is set for November 26.

Man sentenced for shooting stepson while showing off guns

Man sentenced for shooting stepson while showing off guns

Walworth, WI

A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting his eight-year-old stepson, Michael Meagher, while demonstrating firearms. The incident occurred in January at their residence in Walworth County.

Steven Merkel, now 53, entered a guilty plea for first-degree reckless homicide in August. During sentencing on Thursday, Walworth County Circuit Court Judge Kristine E. Drettwan questioned Merkel’s actions, expressing outrage over his desire to look “cool” to the boy.

The shooting unfolded around 2:25 a.m., with officers arriving to find Meagher suffering from a gunshot wound. Life-saving measures were attempted, but the child later died at the hospital.

Merkel claimed the incident was accidental. He told police he had removed the magazine from the handgun and thought it would not fire without it. He pointed the gun at his stepson and pulled the trigger, striking him in the arm and neck.

Drettwan noted that evidence indicated the boy attempted to protect himself with a defensive posture. “How is that fun and cool for Michael that you come out of a bedroom pointing a gun at him?” she asked.

Merkel admitted to previously showing guns to Meagher, stating that they had been playing video games prior to the shooting. He had consumed alcohol that night, but his blood alcohol level was 0.02, suggesting he was not impaired.

Defense counsel requested an 11-year sentence, arguing Merkel expressed remorse. Merkel himself addressed the court, accepting responsibility for his actions.

Drettwan emphasized the devastating nature of the case, highlighting the preventable death of the young boy.

Father leaves one-year-old in car while shopping at Aldi

Father leaves one-year-old in car while shopping at Aldi

Solon, OH

A 28-year-old father is facing child endangerment charges after allegedly leaving his infant alone in a parked car. Dazshawn Richardson was shopping at an Aldi grocery store while his one-year-old child was left unattended in a vehicle.

The incident occurred in the parking lot on Friday at around 3 p.m., when a bystander reported a baby crying inside a locked car. Officers from the Solon Police Department responded and located the child in a car seat in the rear of a black Mercedes.

Upon arrival, police used a lock-out tool to gain entry to the vehicle and called for emergency medical personnel to assess the child. As medics approached, Richardson exited the store and identified himself as the child’s father.

After medical evaluation, the child was returned to Richardson’s care. He received a citation for child endangerment for his actions.

Body camera footage captures officers engaging with a female witness who had been waiting by the car, expressing concern for the baby. The witness indicated the child had been crying for an extended period.

Police observed that the child appeared cold and was shaking due to the temperature being around 40 degrees outdoors. Officers noted the vehicle was not running, and the heater was not on.

Richardson reportedly told officers he did not have change for a grocery cart and could not carry his child and the groceries at the same time. He acknowledged that his actions were reckless and acknowledged the risk to his child’s safety.

Responding authorities estimated the child was alone in the car for at least 15 minutes. As discussions turned to the involvement of Child Protective Services, Richardson was allowed to accompany his son in an ambulance, where he was seen crying.

Details on Richardson’s court appearance regarding the child endangerment charge have not been released.

Group home neglect leads to death of man with disabilities

Group home neglect leads to death of man with disabilities

Bazetta Township, OH A group home in Ohio is facing allegations of negligence after a resident died due to severe constipation. James Stewart, 41, experienced a “massive” buildup of impacted feces weighing over 20 pounds, according to a lawsuit filed by his family.

The lawsuit claims that the Clear Skies Ahead group home failed to provide necessary care for Stewart, who had a history of autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. His family asserts that staff did not take his complaints seriously during the weeks leading up to his death.

Stewart died on Thursday after reporting abdominal pain and constipation for several weeks. The complaint alleges that he showed visible signs of distress, including bruising on his abdomen. Despite his worsening condition, staff reportedly did not inform his physician or family about his health concerns.

On the day of his death, a staff member advised Stewart to “sit on the toilet,” but he was unable to have a bowel movement. A manager later found him unresponsive in his room. Emergency services discovered a discolored line across his abdomen, as well as significant swelling.

An autopsy revealed that Stewart’s colon had been obstructed by hardened stool for an extended period, which caused pressure on his internal organs. His family’s attorney stated that the case highlights the importance of accountability in care facilities.

Clear Skies Ahead and Fairhaven Industries, which was contracted by the group home, have not responded to requests for comment.

Two men charged with robbery and murder in sandwich shop case linked to double murder

Two men charged with robbery and murder in sandwich shop case linked to double murder

Charlotte, NC
Terry Connor Jr. and Steven Staples face murder charges in the death of Scott Brooks, a sandwich shop owner. The defendants appeared in court this week where prosecutors revealed allegations tying them to another murder case.

Brooks, 61, was killed on December 19, 2019, as he arrived at Brooks Sandwich House. Two men wearing hooded sweatshirts approached him with guns and stole approximately $100 from his wallet.

Surveillance footage captured Brooks engaging with the suspects. As he pulled out his own weapon and fired back, the suspects returned fire, killing him outside his restaurant.

Prosecutors said Connor and Staples targeted Brooks’s business due to its cash-only policy. They are also being connected to the January 11, 2020, murders of Siojvon Joseph and Asa Shannon, both aged 35.

Joseph and Shannon were found dead from gunshot wounds in a vehicle in Charlotte. Evidence suggests Connor’s brother, Everette Connor, assisted in the killings.

Prosecutors aimed to show a pattern of violence involving the defendants during this week’s trial. Police officers discovered a ransacked home near the scene of Joseph’s and Shannon’s deaths, where they found hidden cellphones and weapons.

Both Connor and Staples have entered not guilty pleas in relation to Brooks’s death. Prosecutors are expected to rest their case next week, while the case involving Joseph and Shannon remains pending.

Brooks was remembered as a man who easily made friends through his business, which he co-owned with his brother since its establishment by their father in 1973.

Couple charged with murder after throwing neighbor off balcony

Couple charged with murder after throwing neighbor off balcony

Elizabethtown, KY

A couple faces murder charges following the fatal fall of their neighbor from a second-story balcony. Shawn Durbin, 39, and Nancy Durbin, 36, are both being held in the Hardin County Detention Center.

The incident occurred at Sugar Mill Apartments on Tuesday, when 62-year-old Bobby Pennington was present at the couple’s apartment. An altercation ensued, leading to the Durbins allegedly throwing Pennington off the balcony, approximately 12 feet to the pavement below.

Emergency responders found Pennington in cardiac arrest and a woman providing CPR. She reported witnessing the Durbins throw him from the balcony.

Pennington was transported to Baptist Health hospital, where he was diagnosed with a broken neck and ribs. Following his death, the Durbins’ initial assault charges were upgraded to murder.

Elizabethtown Police Department spokesman Chris Denham described the crime as “despicable,” emphasizing that Pennington did not provoke the attack.

The suspects reportedly denied involvement in Pennington’s death and are scheduled to appear in court next month.

Man charged with homicide after friend’s death staged as suicide

Man charged with homicide after friend’s death staged as suicide

Clarion, PA A 34-year-old man faces criminal homicide charges after allegedly attempting to make the stabbing death of a 45-year-old woman appear as a suicide. Chase Steigerwald is in custody at Clarion County Jail following the death of Rachel Roman, who was discovered on the floor of his apartment on the morning of November 5.

A criminal complaint details that Steigerwald and an unnamed woman were outside his residence when police arrived. Steigerwald claimed they had gone for a walk and found Roman dead upon their return.

The unnamed woman provided police with a conflicting account. She stated that she heard choking noises from the living room and discovered Steigerwald packing a backpack as Roman lay bleeding on the floor.

Surveillance footage revealed the pair leaving the apartment at 5:05 a.m. and returning at 6:38 a.m. Steigerwald reportedly told the woman he intended to stage Roman’s death to look like a suicide.

Upon returning, the woman alleged that she witnessed Steigerwald placing a knife in Roman’s hand to obtain her fingerprints. She also observed him hide methamphetamine in a couch.

Witnesses at a party the night before Roman’s death saw her alive at around 11 p.m. Another witness on a FaceTime call with Steigerwald reported seeing him brandishing a knife and heard him arguing with Roman.

The night of the incident, Roman sent a text at 11:39 p.m., but a response from her coworker at 12:20 a.m. was not delivered, indicating her phone may have been turned off.

Neighbors reported a loud party at Steigerwald’s apartment that stopped around midnight. Steigerwald told police the knife found belonged to him and that he had smoked molly before calling 911 on the morning of November 5.

Blood was found in various locations within the apartment, including the sinks and a dishwashing soap bottle. An autopsy indicated that Roman suffered multiple stab wounds, with a fatal wound to her neck.

Steigerwald was arrested on a drug charge shortly after Roman’s body was found. His homicide charge was filed on Tuesday, resulting in the dismissal of the drug charge. He remains in jail without bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for December 2.

Allegations surface as woman accused of locking disabled daughter in dog kennel

Allegations surface as woman accused of locking disabled daughter in dog kennel

Anson, TX

A 60-year-old woman is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly abusing her disabled daughter. Kandy Thompson is accused of keeping her 22-year-old special-needs daughter confined in a dog kennel in the backyard.

Thompson was taken into custody on Tuesday following an investigation that began on Saturday when a neighbor reported concerns to the Anson Police Department. The neighbor filmed Thompson’s actions, which added significant evidence to the case.

The footage reveals Thompson locking her daughter in a chain-link kennel covered with a tarp while the victim reportedly expresses fear. During the exchange, Thompson appears to justify her actions, stating the confinement is due to the daughter’s behavior.

Police arrived shortly after the incident was recorded and found the victim in distress. The daughter reportedly indicated she felt worthless and that confinement occurred frequently.

Initially released from custody on Monday, Thompson was arrested again on Tuesday after further investigations. The Anson Police Department conducted additional interviews and assessed all evidence, leading to extra charges.

In addition to aggravated kidnapping and injury to a disabled individual, Thompson faces charges of child endangerment and assault causing bodily injury.

Reports indicate that Thompson and her late husband fostered over 50 special-needs children in the last decade. However, the Texas Department of Family Protective Services noted they did not foster any children through the department.

As of Wednesday morning, Thompson was held without bond. The next court appearance date is not currently available.