Police Blotter

Confession in choking death leads to wrongful death lawsuit against DoorDash

Cincinnati, OH A DoorDash driver’s boyfriend has confessed to choking a man to death during a dispute over a driving incident. The incident has prompted a wrongful death lawsuit against the food delivery service, alleging improper conduct by the couple involved.

Lavontez Davis, 26, pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of strangulation and involuntary manslaughter for the October 2023 death of Jason McKinnon. The lawsuit, filed by McKinnon’s widow, claims Davis and his girlfriend, Shimya Berry, were working for DoorDash at the time of the altercation.

According to the legal complaint, after the altercation, the couple resumed their deliveries. The complaint states they picked up a DoorDash order shortly after the incident and completed the delivery.

Witnesses reported Davis exited the vehicle and approached McKinnon, who had shouted at Berry for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. The confrontation escalated, resulting in Davis placing McKinnon in a chokehold.

Days after the incident, McKinnon died from his injuries. Davis, originally charged with murder and felonious assault, was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison.

The civil lawsuit names Davis, Berry, and DoorDash as defendants, claiming their actions contributed to McKinnon’s death. The lawsuit also includes statements from family members expressing the immense loss suffered due to the incident.

McKinnon’s widow, Emily Livingston, stated that the event has caused unbearable pain for her and her family. DoorDash issued a statement expressing condolences, emphasizing that Davis was not a registered driver for the company.

Teacher charged after THC gummies ingested by students in Indiana high school

Angola, IN

A high school teacher is facing legal issues after two students consumed THC gummies, mistakenly believing they were regular candy. The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation following a report on Friday morning regarding the incident, which occurred on Thursday during the last class period.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the students ate the gummies in class and were not aware the candy contained THC. Additional findings indicated that Debra McGillem, a 49-year-old language arts teacher at Angola High School, had brought the gummies to school.

McGillem, who lives in Reading, Michigan, approximately 25 miles from the school, was taken into custody by law enforcement. Deputies discovered additional suspected THC gummies in her possession, and she was reportedly operating a vehicle while impaired.

Charges against McGillem include neglect of a dependent and possession of a controlled substance on school property, both categorized as level 6 felonies. She also faces a misdemeanor charge for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Additionally, the Indiana Department of Child Services has been notified of the incident.

The teacher was booked into the Steuben County Jail with a bond set at $6,500. She remained in custody as of Saturday morning.

Matthew L. Widenhoefer, superintendent of Metropolitan School District of Steuben County, addressed the situation to parents in a Facebook post. He stated that the district is aware of the matter and is conducting an internal investigation, emphasizing that appropriate disciplinary actions will follow district policies and applicable laws.

Teens sentenced to life for shooting death of 12-year-old girl

Lake City, FL

Matthew Rice, 18, received a life sentence on Thursday for the murder of 12-year-old Mariah Smith. A jury convicted Rice of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder after a shooting that occurred in August.

The incident involved a dispute between Mariah’s brother and the suspects, during which Rice fired at least 25 rounds into her home. Last month, 17-year-old Jayden Burch also received a life sentence for his role in the shooting.

Prosecutors indicated Rice’s DNA was found on one of the firearms used. They claimed school officials made multiple attempts to address Rice’s behavior without success.

Burch was described as the ringleader by the prosecution. According to assistant state attorney Sean Crisafulli, Burch initiated the violent confrontation over an altercation with Mariah’s brother.

At his sentencing, Burch showed no remorse and allegedly bragged about the shooting on social media shortly after it occurred.

Witnesses indicated he communicated details of the shooting, which included a declaration of guilt sent via Instagram. Burch maintained his innocence during the court proceedings.

The Lake City police responded to the shooting just after 9 p.m. on August 24, 2023. They found Mariah suffering from a gunshot wound, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators discovered numerous shell casings outside the home, linking Burch to the crime. The investigation revealed that he provided the weapons used in the attack.

Jatarious Rashad Fluellen, another suspect in the case, remains awaiting trial. He was arrested shortly after the incident, marking the beginning of a string of arrests related to the shooting.

Marina’s tragic death prompted community outrage and led to officials renaming the street where she was killed as Mariah Reginae Smith Forever 12 Memorial Street. Mariah’s mother expressed her hope that no family would have to face similar pain in the future.

Wisconsin woman pleads not guilty to murdering her children’s father

Eau Claire, WI A Wisconsin woman entered a not guilty plea on Monday to charges of killing the father of her children with two gunshots. Dakota Bilderback, 29, faces a charge of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of 37-year-old Michael Lee.

The Eau Claire Police Department responded to a 911 call regarding a shooting on August 30 at a residence on Sunset Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered Lee deceased from gunshot wounds.

Bilderback initially informed the dispatcher that someone was injured and later clarified that Lee had been shot. When asked about the shooting, she stated, “I had to shoot my children’s father. To protect my children.”

Following her Miranda rights, Bilderback disclosed to police that she possessed a firearm due to suicidal ideations but aimed to intimidate Lee. She sent her children upstairs, indicating she wanted to talk with Lee.

Bilderback claimed she held the gun to her head, hoping Lee would assist her, but instead shot him in the face. She stated she fired a second shot to “stop the threat,” according to the affidavit.

Bilderback reported experiencing mental health issues compounded by methamphetamine use. Initially arrested for second-degree homicide, the charge was escalated to first-degree.

A GoFundMe page described Lee as a cherished son and beloved friend, highlighting the impact of his sudden death.

Bilderback remains in the Eau Claire County Jail with a cash bond set at $250,000. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 12, 2026.

Man charged with manslaughter in front porch shooting of cleaning worker

Whitestown, IN

Curt Andersen has been charged with felony voluntary manslaughter following the shooting of 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez. The incident occurred when Perez mistakenly arrived at Andersen’s home for a cleaning job on Wednesday morning.

Andersen allegedly shot Perez through the front door after she and her husband approached the home. Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood confirmed the charges during a news conference.

Voluntary manslaughter is defined in Indiana law as knowingly or intentionally killing someone while acting under sudden heat. Eastwood stated that his office carefully reviewed the evidence before bringing charges against Andersen.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene shortly after 6:50 a.m. on Wednesday, November 5, following a 911 call about a possible residential entry. Upon arrival, they discovered Perez on the front porch with a gunshot wound to the head.

Emergency measures were attempted, but Perez was pronounced dead at the scene. The couple reportedly did not attempt to enter the residence before the shooting occurred.

Police reports indicated a bullet hole was found in the door. Andersen has claimed he fired the shot in self-defense, citing Indiana’s stand your ground law. Prosecutors argue that evidence does not support his justification for the action.

Jody Madeira, a professor specializing in gun rights at Indiana University, characterized the incident as unusual. The timing of Andersen’s first court appearance has not yet been disclosed.

Prosecutors charge Indian national with double homicide of mother and son

Maple Shade, NJ

A 38-year-old Indian national has been charged in the 2017 homicides of a mother and her young son in Maple Shade. Nazeer Hameed faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon.

The victims, Sasikala Narra, 38, and Anish Narra, 6, were found deceased in their Hamilton Road apartment on March 23, 2017. An autopsy revealed each died from multiple slash wounds to their necks, with evidence indicating Anish Narra was nearly decapitated by the attacker.

Hameed resided in the same apartment complex as the victims and was an acquaintance of the family through their workplace. After the incident, he returned to India, where he remains while the investigation proceeded.

Law enforcement identified Hameed as a person of interest due to his stalking behavior toward Hanumanth Narra, husband and father of the victims. Delays in filing charges were attributed to the pursuit of additional evidence and coordination with federal partners for potential extradition.

Physical evidence ultimately linked Hameed to the crimes. A blood droplet found at the scene was consistent with Hameed’s DNA. Efforts to secure a DNA sample from him in India faced repeated obstacles, including his refusal to cooperate.

A mutual legal assistance request to collect Hameed’s DNA was acknowledged by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, yet was not fulfilled. The case gained renewed attention as the investigation continued despite misinformation that suggested stagnation.

Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw expressed a commitment to justice for the victims. Chief Christopher J. Fletcher emphasized the emotional toll on investigators, keeping the memories of Sasikala and Anish as guiding reminders throughout the investigation.

Detectives employed various methods, including a subpoena that led to the collection of Hameed’s DNA from a company-issued laptop. A forensic examination of the laptop confirmed its connection to the blood evidence.

The motive for the killings remains unestablished, with prosecutors not required to provide one for conviction in New Jersey. The next steps involve efforts to extradite Hameed back to the United States.

Fletcher underscored the community’s outrage over the case and the duty of law enforcement to seek justice. The extradition authority rests with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of State.

Bradshaw urged cooperation between the U.S. and Indian governments to ensure Hameed’s extradition. The Indian Cultural Center of Southern New Jersey offered support during the investigation, with board member Jayesh Parikh acknowledging law enforcement’s efforts over the past years.

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Maple Shade Police Department, FBI, and New Jersey State Police. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Robert Van Gilst upon Hameed’s extradition.

Texas mother arrested after 1-year-old dies from car seat strap strangulation

Weslaco, TX

A 26-year-old mother, Ashley Jasmin Rivera, has been arrested following the death of her 1-year-old child. The incident occurred on Halloween night when deputies responded to a call about an unresponsive child in a vehicle.

On October 31, shortly before 9 p.m., deputies arrived at the 8100 block of North FM 88. They found the child not breathing, and paramedics transported the infant to a hospital where the child was pronounced dead.

According to a press release from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, the child’s car seat was found tipped forward with the strap around the child’s neck. Rivera reportedly informed investigators that she had left the child in the car while she attended to her other three children.

A witness discovered the child unresponsive after approximately 20 to 30 minutes. An autopsy later confirmed the death resulted from strangulation.

Details regarding the whereabouts of Rivera and her other children during that time have not been disclosed. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

Rivera was taken into custody and is being held in the Hidalgo County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

Mother charged with child abuse after police welfare check reveals deplorable conditions

Louisa, KY

A 26-year-old mother was arrested after police conducted a welfare check at her home. Virginia Lynn Fernow faces charges of criminal abuse of a child and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Officers responded on Friday after receiving concerns about her two young children. They reported a foul odor emanating from the residence upon arrival.

Fernow was found to have her children, ages 2 and 4, in deplorable conditions. She informed police that her daughter had sustained a burn from a heater and claimed she treated the injury with diaper rash cream.

During the visit, police requested to see the children, which Fernow allowed but warned them about dog feces on the floor. Upon entering, officers observed garbage and feces throughout the home.

The children were discovered in a bedroom with no clothes on, surrounded by flies and insects. Fernow reportedly admitted to not cleaning the residence for several months.

She was taken into custody and is held at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on a $5,000 cash bond. A court date is set for November 19.

Police have not disclosed the whereabouts of the children following the arrest.

Father sentenced to nearly 11 years for killing newborn son

St. Paul, MN A 40-year-old man received a sentence of 128 months in prison for the murder of his eight-week-old son. Mark Russell Forster’s sentencing took place on Monday following a Norgaard plea to second-degree murder without intent while in commission of a felony.

The plea indicates that Forster did not remember the events surrounding the crime but acknowledged that the prosecution had sufficient evidence to establish his guilt. Ramsey County District Judge Sophia Y. Vuelo presided over the case.

Forster has been credited with 460 days served. The charges stemmed from an incident at the family’s residence on January 31, when the boy was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood with severe injuries. Medical staff reported that the infant was brought in by his mother, who stated he was “seizing and blue.”

Following admission to St. John’s, Jackson Dallas Forster was transferred for intensive care. While at the hospital, Forster expressed uncertainty about how the injuries occurred, mentioning he may have dropped the infant.

An investigation revealed the events of the night leading to the child’s hospitalization. Forster, who returned home from work around 1 a.m., took care of Jackson so that the child’s mother could rest.

The mother reported that she left for work at 7 a.m. and remembered Jackson waking up. She returned home at 1:30 p.m. to find the infant asleep and later witnessed concerning symptoms. Jackson was taken to the emergency room after showing signs of distress.

Forster admitted to police that he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before and during the incident. He reported drinking approximately five drinks after getting home. He also acknowledged having smoked marijuana that evening.

Forster’s text messages revealed his feelings of guilt. He wrote to the child’s mother expressing regret over the incident and taking responsibility for their son’s injuries.