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Couple arrested for leaving 14-year-old alone in squalor with dead dog

Mobile, AL

Marchelle Pertilla, 43, and Eugene Medrano, 52, were arrested after allegedly leaving their 14-year-old daughter to live alone in a mobile home under deplorable conditions. The teenager was discovered on January 4 stumbling along Jarrett Road by a Dollar General employee who contacted law enforcement.

The girl reported experiencing stomach pain and dizziness which prompted authorities to take her to a nearby hospital for evaluation. At the hospital, she communicated with deputies and child advocacy workers about her living situation.

The girl stated she had lived alone since February and last saw her parents on October 31. Investigators later learned that while her mother provided food through deliveries, the living conditions in the trailer were unsanitary.

Investigators found the mobile home littered with trash and animal waste, as well as one deceased dog. Pertilla and Medrano had been residing and working in Pensacola, Florida, while their daughter remained at the trailer.

Upon arriving at the hospital, the couple spoke to detectives before being taken into custody on charges of child abuse and animal cruelty. They were also charged with multiple counts of second-degree dog cruelty.

Pertilla allegedly explained that her daughter did not want to leave her service animals. There were seven dogs, three of which were inside the trailer, while three others were outside, and one was found dead in a closet.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch addressed the situation, emphasizing the importance of the Dollar General employee who reported the girl’s situation. The investigation is ongoing, with a handwritten note discovered in the girl’s sleeping area indicating her desire for her mother’s presence.

Burch shared that the girl and her mother primarily communicated via Snapchat and had been homeschooled. Two other children have since been removed from Pertilla and Medrano’s residence as a precaution.

The arrest has led to widespread outrage as the sheriff described the case as horrific and an example of parental neglect.

Man sentenced to 50 years for brutal kidnapping and torture

DeWitt, NY A man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the kidnapping and torture of another man. Shah Powell, 36, was convicted after holding Jhomiel Brown hostage in a shed, where he subjected him to severe brutality.

Brown testified that on September 24, he was beaten with metal poles, burned with cigarettes, and had his two front teeth pulled out with pliers. He described how he used one of his extracted teeth to saw through duct tape binding his wrists to his ankles, allowing him to escape.

Powell testified that Brown’s injuries were the result of a drug deal gone awry. Prosecutors countered that Powell lied while testifying in his defense.

Prosecutors stated that Powell was not prepared to accept the gravity of his actions. Following the guilty verdict, Powell punched a wall in frustration.

Before trial, Powell turned down a plea deal that would have resulted in a 10-year sentence. The judge dismissed the defense’s request for a lighter sentence, emphasizing the need for accountability for the assault on Brown.

Woman shoots 4-year-old boy in face during apartment altercation

Phoenix, AZ A woman has been arrested after allegedly shooting a 4-year-old boy in the face. Joanna Chalup Cortez, 29, faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault and disorderly conduct with a firearm.

The incident occurred on January 6 at an apartment complex near 29th Street and Weir Avenue. Qahsiem Sinclair was struck in the cheek by a bullet that managed to exit without hitting any critical areas.

Witnesses reported that the boy’s father believed his son had narrowly survived the ordeal. Family members had been present and were able to provide details to local news outlets.

According to police, moments leading up to the shooting involved a confrontation between Chalup Cortez and another woman. This dispute escalated after Chalup Cortez sent alarming text messages to Qahsiem’s mother, stating that she intended to “shoot up the house.”

At approximately noon, Chalup Cortez returned to the apartment complex, exited her vehicle, and fired a rifle toward the residence. Security footage captured the moment.

She fled the scene, and the boy was immediately transported to a hospital where he is expected to recover. Qahsiem’s family set up a GoFundMe to assist with medical expenses following what they described as an “absolutely heartbreaking” situation.

On Wednesday, Chalup Cortez surrendered to law enforcement. Court documents revealed that she subsequently sent text messages to the boy’s mother claiming that she did not realize Qahsiem was outside during the incident.

The boy’s father disputed this, insisting Chalup Cortez saw his son at the moment she fired the weapon. Chalup Cortez is currently being held at the Maricopa County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Title: Fugitive captured after month on the run

Pittsburgh, PA A man wanted for probation violations has been arrested following a month-long search. William Hudson, 50, was taken into custody on Thursday morning at a residence on Desiderio Boulevard in Clairton.

Hudson was a fugitive since five bench warrants were issued for him in December. He faced charges that included aggravated assault, strangulation, terroristic threats, and endangering the welfare of children.

In addition, Hudson held an active warrant charging him with drug delivery from the City of Pittsburgh. Detectives received a tip about his location and arrived at the residence, announcing their presence for ten minutes without a response.

After hearing movement inside, they continued their announcement through an open window. Hudson eventually opened the door and was arrested without incident.

He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail following his capture.

Man arrested for domestic violence against woman and child

Sandusky, OH

Thomas Vance, 44, faces multiple charges after allegedly strangling a woman and injuring her toddler. The case began on July 18 when the woman approached police about a domestic dispute.

During the conversation, she detailed a threat made by Vance. He purportedly stated that he would “make her life hard and make her feel the pain he is feeling.”

The incident reportedly occurred on July 17. According to the victim, Vance became upset and began hitting and strangling her, subsequently assaulting her child.

After the attack, the woman sought medical attention for bleeding, a swollen throat, and bruises but left the emergency room due to long wait times.

An intake officer noted her injuries and requested to photograph the bruises, but the woman declined and expressed her desire for Vance not to be jailed that weekend.

Despite her reluctance, the investigation continued, leading law enforcement to file charges based on the extent of injuries.

Records show Vance has a previous domestic violence conviction from Tiffin Municipal Court, where a charge was upgraded to a felony.

A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was taken into custody on December 29.

Vance has since been released and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

Man indicted after injuries leave 2-month-old boy critically hurt

PEORIA, IL A 20-year-old man has been charged with aggravated battery to a child after his infant son was hospitalized with severe injuries. Jaravion Nichols has been booked into the Peoria County Jail with no bond following his indictment on Tuesday.

On December 12, police responded to a local hospital where a car had dropped off a 2-month-old child suffering from critical head trauma. Medical professionals discovered multiple brain bleeds and fractures in the infant’s body during examination.

Careful analysis revealed bleeding within the eyes, brain swelling, and rib and leg fractures. Medical staff expressed concerns that the child’s injuries were not accidental.

Detectives launched an investigation after being informed of the child’s critical condition. Interviews with individuals who had contact with the baby did not yield any explanations for the severity of the injuries.

The investigation revealed that Nichols was the only individual caring for the baby at the time the injuries were sustained. Authorities apprehended him while responding to the 2000 block of Northeast Jefferson Avenue.

Nichols was indicted on aggravated battery charges and arrested on Tuesday. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to uncover further details surrounding the case.

Nichols is scheduled for arraignment on February 5.

Man slashes victim’s throat over cigarette refusal in Miami Beach

Miami Beach, FL A man was attacked and had his throat slashed after refusing to give a cigarette or lend his cellphone. Jack Daniel Gutierrez, 24, faces charges of aggravated battery with a weapon causing great bodily harm.

Gutierrez is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

On Tuesday, a man was walking near the 1700 block of Collins Avenue when he decided to sit by a lifeguard tower. Gutierrez approached him and requested a cigarette, which the man denied, stating he does not smoke.

Gutierrez then asked to borrow the man’s cellphone, which was again rejected. After this brief interaction, the victim believed Gutierrez had left. Suddenly, Gutierrez attacked with a knife, stabbing the man in the neck.

The victim described feeling a puncture and then blood pouring from his neck. He used a hands-free Siri application on his phone to call 911.

Emergency responders arrived to find the victim with a severe laceration from ear to ear. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and his condition remains unclear.

Gutierrez was located and arrested on Thursday. Jail records indicate he was on probation for a weapons charge at the time of the incident.

Michigan father fires gun outside school amid custody dispute

Romulus, MI A Michigan father is facing multiple charges after allegedly firing a gun outside of his son’s middle school when he was not allowed to pick him up. Shawntez Marshaun Gregory, 44, is charged with making a false report of terrorism, intentional threat to commit violence against a school, and carrying a concealed weapon, among others.

The incident occurred on Tuesday around 9:50 a.m. Gregory reportedly became angry after being denied entry to Romulus Middle School.

Witnesses said he fired a handgun several times while standing close to the school, prompting officials to place the facility on lockdown. Reports of an active shooter led to a rapid response from Romulus police, who apprehended Gregory at the scene.

No injuries were reported during the incident, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Gregory appeared virtually in district court on Thursday, where he refused to engage with the judge and became confrontational.

He allegedly expressed disdain for court proceedings, yelling at the judge and disrupting the session.

The judge noted Gregory’s past complaints of trespassing and previous violations regarding his son, which included kidnapping him from school. Prosecutors requested that Gregory be denied bond and prohibited from contacting school officials, his child, or his ex-wife.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy described the situation as a nightmare for parents. She stated the quick response to the active shooter report helped in the swift apprehension of Gregory.

Gregory is scheduled to return to court for a probable cause conference on January 20, followed by a preliminary hearing one week later.