Neglect

Three Arrested for Animal Neglect in Middletown

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Three arrested for animal neglect in middletown - photo licensed by shore news network.

Three Arrested During Middletown Police Search Warrant

**Middletown Township, PA** – The Middletown Township Police Department executed a search warrant on Friday at a residence on the 1600 block of Ramble Road. The operation resulted in the arrest of three individuals.

Michael DeSantis was taken into custody on a domestic assault warrant. Heather Winthers was arrested on a domestic relations warrant. Thomas Palaio was apprehended for failing to comply with Megan’s Law as a sexually violent predator and for a probation violation.

Upon entering the residence, officers identified dangerous living conditions. Immediate intervention from the Fire Marshal’s Office, Licensing and Inspection, as well as building zoning led to the house being condemned.

The SPCA and Middletown Township Police Animal Control Officer obtained a warrant to remove the animals found in the home. All three arrestees also face charges related to their failure to care for the animals. All parties were remanded to Bucks County Prison.

Lusby Woman Sentenced for Impaired Driving and Child Neglect

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A judge's gavel - file photo

Lusby Woman Sentenced for Impaired Driving and Child Neglect

**Prince Frederick, MD** – Ronni Laine Davis, aged 34 and a resident of Lusby, was sentenced to eight years in prison at the Calvert County Circuit Court on March 3. Judge Mark S. Chandlee imposed the sentence, which includes 60 days of active incarceration followed by three years of supervised probation.

The charges arose from an incident on April 28 last year, when witnesses reported Davis driving erratically on MD Route 4 around 8:50 p.m. Her driving involved nearly hitting a guardrail and crossing into the median. Calvert County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene, noting signs of impairment and administering standard field sobriety tests, which Davis failed. At the time, she had four young children in the vehicle.

Davis was convicted of child neglect, possession of CDS (Oxycodone), and driving while impaired by drugs. Although it was her first offense related to impaired driving, the State prioritized a custodial sentence due to the presence of minors. Davis was handcuffed and taken directly to the Calvert County Detention Center to commence her sentence.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca N. Corder

PA Office ofTwo Philadelphia Caregivers Sentenced for Neglect and Fraud

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Pa office oftwo philadelphia caregivers sentenced for neglect and fraud - photo licensed by shore news network.

Two Philadelphia Caregivers Sentenced for Neglect and Fraud

**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced prison and probation sentences for two Philadelphia direct care workers responsible for neglecting a quadriplegic relative, resulting in critical hospitalization.

Rashina Long and Jasmine Long, the victim’s mother and sister, pleaded guilty in September to charges of neglecting a care-dependent person and committing Medicaid fraud. On Thursday, both women were sentenced to two to four years in prison, followed by seven years of probation. Additionally, they are barred from working as care workers during this time.

The victims’ relatives, Rashina Long, 48, and Jasmine Long, 33, were employed to assist with tasks like bathing and meal preparation. Their neglect led to hospitalization of the victim in October 2022.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office investigation revealed fraudulent billing to Medicaid exceeding $140,000 between December 2021 and September 2022. The victim suffered severe pressure wounds, malnourishment, and dehydration, necessitating several medical procedures.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Benjamin McKenna prosecuted the case.

Drone Footage of Abandoned Jersey Shore Island Home Shows the Effects of Decade of Neglect

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Drone footage of abandoned jersey shore island home shows the effects of decade of neglect - photo licensed by shore news network.

BARNEGAT BAY, NJ – Hankins Island, officially known as Middle Sedge Island in Ocean County, New Jersey, holds a unique place in the region’s history, marked by natural beauty and the remnants of human habitation. This small island, nestled in the Barnegat Bay, has become a sanctuary for various bird species, standing out with its single abandoned house.

Originally part of the vast coastal marshlands, Hankins Island was one of the many sedge islands dotting the Barnegat Bay. These islands, formed over centuries, played a crucial role in the local ecosystem, providing habitat for a diverse range of wildlife and serving as natural barriers against coastal storms.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as Ocean County developed, these islands caught the attention of developers and private owners. Middle Sedge Island, like its counterparts, saw a period of human activity. The now-abandoned house on the island is a relic of this era, a time when such islands were seen as idyllic retreats from the mainland’s hustle and bustle.

However, the house’s fate changed dramatically with Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The devastating storm, which impacted much of the Eastern Seaboard, severely damaged the structure, rendering it uninhabitable. Since then, the house has remained untouched, a silent witness to the storm’s power.

Today, due to strict environmental regulations aimed at preserving the natural habitat and preventing further ecological damage, the house is unlikely to be restored. These regulations reflect a growing awareness of the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems and the wildlife they support.

Hankins Island, now mostly a haven for birds, stands as a symbol of nature’s resilience and the delicate balance between human development and environmental conservation. Its history, from a coveted private property to a sanctuary left to the whims of nature, mirrors the broader narrative of many such islands along the New Jersey coast. As it remains largely untouched by human hands, Hankins Island continues to be a point of interest for nature enthusiasts and a stark reminder of nature’s enduring power.