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Florida woman sentenced for neglecting mother to death

Police handcuffs and criminal fingerprints card

Florida woman sentenced for neglecting mother to death

BUNNELL, FL

A Florida woman has been sentenced to prison for the death of her elderly mother. Kim Zaheer, 68, received a six-year sentence on Thursday for aggravated manslaughter in the 2018 death of Frances Hildegard King, who was 88.

Zaheer will serve just over one year in correctional detention due to over four and a half years credited for time served. Following her prison sentence, she will be on probation for ten years.

The state attorney’s office waived standard sentencing guidelines, which would have mandated a minimum prison term exceeding eleven years.

The case began on December 5, 2018, when deputies responded to a call about an unresponsive elderly woman. First responders found King in deplorable conditions, described as malnourished and dead in her bed, surrounded by filth.

King’s body was covered in fecal matter and had visible signs of neglect. Medical personnel noted conditions consistent with severe emaciation and likened King’s state to that of concentration camp prisoners.

The medical examiner confirmed that King’s cause of death was severe emaciation along with a rare bladder infection.

During sentencing, Judge Dawn D. Nichols displayed a photo of King taken after her death, highlighting the severe neglect she endured, a stark reminder of the conditions in which King lived before her death.

Woman arrested for threatening to blow up Florida high school over lunch dispute

Woman arrested for threatening to blow up florida high school over lunch dispute

Woman arrested for threatening to blow up Florida high school over lunch dispute

Rockledge, FL

Brandie Covington, 40, has been charged with making threats after a dispute regarding her daughter’s boyfriend’s school lunch. The incident transpired on Tuesday morning as classes were in session at Rockledge High School.

Around 10:50 a.m., Covington called the cafeteria in a state of frustration because her daughter’s boyfriend did not receive his lunch due to insufficient funds in his account. The cafeteria employee attempted to explain the school’s policy on such situations, but Covington reacted by yelling and using profanity.

She threatened to “burn the school down” and followed that with “I’ll be over there to blow that f— school up,” according to an arrest affidavit. The cafeteria employee promptly reported the threat to the school resource officer.

Approximately five minutes later, Covington made another call, this time to the vice principal. She again identified herself and expressed her dissatisfaction regarding the lunch situation.

The vice principal informed Covington that he could not discuss the matter since she was not related to the student, but he tried to explain the school’s procedures. Covington became verbally aggressive, repeating that she would burn the school down before hanging up.

After being notified a second time, the school resource officer took further action. Later that day, law enforcement visited Covington’s home.

After she was informed of her rights, Covington acknowledged making the calls regarding her daughter’s boyfriend’s lunch. She expressed frustration over previous communications with the school that had not yielded a response.

The statements provided by Covington were mostly consistent with those reported by school officials, though she denied threatening the school. Covington was arrested and taken to the Brevard County Jail.

She was subsequently released on Thursday after posting a bond of $75,000.

New Jersey man kills mother during Florida visit, leaves body in dumpster

New jersey man kills mother during florida visit, leaves body in dumpster

Son kills mother during visit, leaves body in dumpster

MIAMI BEACH, FL – A man is charged with murder after his mother flew to Florida to check on him, only to be killed and found in a dumpster. Anthony Caruso, 40, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 67-year-old Elizabeth Caruso. He is currently being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when Elizabeth Caruso arrived from New Jersey. Surveillance footage shows her speaking to a hotel clerk across from her son’s residence before she was found dead hours later. An arrest affidavit indicated her neck was “severely injured nearly to the point of decapitation.”

Hours after Elizabeth Caruso’s arrival, law enforcement was contacted after concerns from her son-in-law. He reported he had not heard from her for over six hours. When police arrived at the building, they discovered blood smears leading from the apartment to an open trash chute.

Authorities found Elizabeth Caruso’s body in the dumpster during their investigation. The medical examiner noted her severe neck injuries along with fractures to her arms, hands, face, and head.

When police attempted to engage Anthony Caruso at his apartment, he did not respond. A SWAT team was deployed to the scene. After unsuccessful attempts to get him to surrender, a K9 apprehended him. He sustained injuries to his right arm during this process and was treated before his arrest.

Christopher Bess from the Miami Beach Police Department stated they believed the suspect might be suffering from a mental illness. The motive for the killing remains unclear at this time.

Anthony Caruso was reportedly on probation for previous charges, including aggravated assault and battery. He is expected to appear in court on November 20.

The shocking death has raised serious questions about the tragic events leading to Elizabeth Caruso’s demise.

New York Woman claims self-defense in murder of ex-boyfriend’s new partner after traveling to Florida

New york woman claims self-defense in murder of ex-boyfriend's new partner after traveling to florida

Woman claims self-defense in murder of ex-boyfriend’s new partner

TAMARAC, FL – A woman accused of traveling from New York to Florida to murder her ex-boyfriend’s new partner took the stand in her defense on Monday. Sakiyna Thompson, 31, is currently on trial for the murder of 23-year-old Kayla Hodgson, who was allegedly stabbed multiple times.

Thompson asserts that she acted in self-defense when she killed Hodgson at the victim’s apartment on July 13, 2022. According to reports, she claimed she intended to have a “woman-to-woman” conversation with Hodgson when the pair confronted each other.

During her testimony, Thompson acknowledged that she killed Hodgson but maintained it was an act of self-defense. “I killed her because she took the glass from the hookah and slashed me across the stomach,” Thompson told jurors.

Thompson indicated she blacked out and did not recall the attack sequence after the initial confrontation. She alleged that upon regaining her senses, she found herself holding the murder weapon and discovered Hodgson on the floor.

Following the incident, Thompson reportedly changed into Hodgson’s clothes and attempted to clean the scene before fleeing. “I was walking in the blood,” she stated.

Feeling afraid, Thompson did not contact authorities and returned to New York. She was arrested on August 3, 2022, and extradited to Florida where she faces a charge of first-degree murder.

Closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense were expected to take place Tuesday. Hodgson’s family established a GoFundMe account after her death, describing her as a beloved daughter and friend to many.

The trial will determine if Thompson’s claim of self-defense holds weight in the eyes of the law.

Jet ski racing incident injures two children in Florida

Jet ski racing incident injures two children in florida

Jet ski racing incident injures two children in Florida

MADEIRA BEACH, FL — A man from New York faces charges after allegedly injuring two children while racing a jet ski on Sunday afternoon. Daniel Grubert, 48, is charged with two counts of boating under the influence causing serious bodily injury and one count of reckless operation of a vessel.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. while Grubert was operating a rented 2024 Yamaha WaveRunner near Johns Pass. Grubert reportedly claimed to have consumed only one alcoholic beverage, a can of Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, prior to the crash. He admitted to drinking a single Twisted Tea, according to his arrest affidavit.

Grubert is accused of crashing into another Yamaha WaveRunner operated by 45-year-old Walter Wodzien, who had two children, aged 7 and 8, riding with him. All three were ejected from the jet ski during the collision. The sheriff’s office stated that Grubert was racing another jet ski and “took his eyes off his direction of travel.”

When Grubert realized a crash was imminent, he reportedly jumped off the WaveRunner, allowing it to move unmanned into Wodzien’s jet ski. The Madeira Beach Fire Department recovered the children from the water and transported them to a local hospital. One child suffered life-threatening injuries, while the other sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators noted signs of impairment in Grubert, including an odor of alcohol on his breath and red eyes. He performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was arrested on the scene. Grubert remains in custody at the Pinellas County Jail.

The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of reckless boating behavior.

A New York man faces serious charges after his jet ski racing led to injuries of two children in Florida.

Stranger attempts to kidnap boy from grandmother at Florida gas station

Stranger attempts to kidnap boy from grandmother at florida gas station

Stranger attempts to kidnap boy from grandmother at Florida gas station

Deerfield Beach, FL A woman attempted to kidnap a five-year-old boy from a gas station on Tuesday morning. Ivanna Nobile, 38, has been charged with false imprisonment of a child and burglary.

The incident occurred at the Shell gas station located at 5 North Federal Highway. A woman parked her vehicle to refuel when it began smoking and asked for assistance.

While standing by her car, the woman was approached by Nobile, who presented what appeared to be an Argentinian identification and claimed the person pictured was her aunt.

Witnesses reported that Nobile later opened the rear passenger door of the woman’s vehicle, where the child was seated.

According to the grandmother, Nobile grabbed her grandson’s arm and stated, “I’m taking him. This child is the wrong color to be with this woman.” The grandmother positioned herself between Nobile and the child to prevent the abduction.

A bystander pumping gas heard the grandmother’s screams for help. The witness stated that she saw Nobile grabbing the child.

Police received a 911 call around 9:30 a.m. and arrived promptly. Officers detained Nobile, who reportedly refused to speak with them.

The grandmother indicated she has had custody of her grandson since January and had never met Nobile prior to this incident.

Nobile has no prior convictions and is currently being held for immigration purposes, according to jail records.