Category: CNN Regional

By Conor Wight

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    MINNESOTA (WCCO) — As thousands in Minnesota grapple with loved ones facing deportation, the fight in the immigration court system has become a critical lifeline. For at least two Ecuadorian women, their efforts to find legal assistance turned out to compound their problems, telling WCCO that they believe they’ve been scammed.

Geovana Patricia said that when ICE detained her husband, she didn’t know who to turn to; that is, until a friend, Alexandra Chorlango, recommended an attorney whom she contacted for help after her brother was detained.

Patricia called a number with a Florida area code on a digital flyer for “Inmigrate & Asociados L.LC.” A woman claiming to be an attorney, whom WCCO is not yet naming, told her that she could help, but immediately asked for a payment of $1,500 to start the process.

“I was so desperate that I sent it to them,” Patricia said. “I was scammed, maybe because I was desperate. I just wanted to help my husband.”

As the days ticked by, Patricia said that she was getting inconsistent information from the woman. At one point, she was sent a supposed document related to an order of release for her husband. WCCO found that the document had several typos and grammatical inconsistencies.

As of Thursday night, Patricia’s husband is still detained in Texas, telling her on the phone that he has never met or been contacted by the woman claiming to be their attorney.

Chorlango said she eventually ran into the same problem. After paying this woman $1,500, she said that she began to suspect she was being scammed as well, as she saw no concrete movement for her brother after he was detained in Bloomington and taken to Texas.

Chorlango said that her cousin also paid the same woman $1,500 for legal services after her son was taken from Bloomington to Louisiana. In that case, Chorlango explained that her cousin got a pro-bono attorney to step in to help. After her son was already released on a habeas corpus petition, the original woman whom she paid $1,500 to was still talking about working to free him.

WCCO spoke to this woman on the phone with Patricia. She declined to respond to scam accusations and declined to provide any proof that she was a practicing attorney.

The Minnesota State Attorney General’s Office recommends calling the American Bar Association office of the state in which an attorney claims to be practicing to check their credentials.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By S.E. Jenkins

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    TEXAS (KTVT) — The woman charged in connection with the death of a newborn baby whose body was found 24 years ago in a ditch in Johnson County has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, officials announced Thursday.

Shelby Ann Stotts, of Covington, pled guilty on Monday to manslaughter. On Thursday, a jury sentenced her to the maximum allowable sentence of 20 years in prison.

“After 24 years, 2 months, 18 days, 4 hours, and 10 minutes, justice was finally done on behalf of the infant girl whom this community named ‘Angel Baby Doe,'” Johnson County District Attorney Timothy Good said in a statement.

“Angel Baby Doe” In 2001, a newborn baby was dumped in a ditch between Burleson and Alvarado. The baby, who still had its umbilical cord, bled out because it did not receive medical care, investigators said.

Investigators have since referred to the newborn as “Angel Baby Doe.”

In 2024, Stotts was taken into custody after investigators in Johnson County received help from the Texas Attorney General’s Missing Persons and Cold Case unit. DNA technology revealed Stotts was the baby’s biological mother.

Good said the baby’s biological father was not aware that Stotts was even pregnant with the baby and only learned about the child 2 years ago. He gave an impact statement in which he named the child “Taryn Angel Moreno.”

The Safe Haven Law was in place when Angel Baby Doe was abandoned. It allows any parent to drop off an infant younger than 60 days old at a “safe place.”

That would include places like fire stations, hospitals, or EMS stations. No questions are asked and there is no threat of getting in legal trouble.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Stephanie Stahl

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    Philadelphia (KYW) — A Philadelphia toddler and a dog from Los Angeles have a unique bond that came together thanks to a CHOP doctor and a story from CBS News Philadelphia.

Cameron Knowles, 3, and a dog named Panini both have the world’s smallest pacemaker.

It’s an unlikely connection that was put together by Dr. Maully Shah of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Two and a half years ago, Cameron had a heart block and was too small for a conventional pacemaker. He became the first baby at CHOP to receive a specially modified device that was placed outside his heart.

Panini, who lives with Heather Ashley Boyer in Los Angeles, has the same kind of heart block, and like Cameron, sizing for a pacemaker became an issue.

“So I found an article, your article online, that reported on baby Cameron,” Boyer told CBS News Philadelphia.

Then, when veterinarians said they couldn’t help, Boyer called CHOP.

“They’re like, ‘Oh great, what’s your patient’s date of birth and insurance info,’ and I was like, ‘Oh crap,’ and so eventually I had to fess up and say, ‘Well, my patient has four legs and a tail,'” Boyer said.

When Boyer reached out to Shah, she sent a photo of Panini.

“Once you see that picture, there is no turning back, right? I’m all in,” Shah said.

There were massive regulatory hurdles, but Shah and Boyer kept pushing. Three months ago, Panini got the special pacemaker at Cornell Veterinary Hospital.

“She’s been doing amazing,” Boyer said. “She’s very active now.”

Boyer was back on the East Coast for Panini’s check-up and visiting her parents as Shah arranged for everyone to meet.

“It’s so great to see that they’re connected by such a small device,” Shakiara Pressley, Cameron’s mother, said.

Both Cameron and Panini are thriving now, with their identical tiny pacemakers, defying the odds

“This is why you have to believe in the goodness of people, even in the hardest of times, right?” Shah said.

Panini is a Chiweenie, which is a mix between a chihuahua and a dachshund. Panini the Chiweenie has 6,600 followers on Instagram.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Dan Raby

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    ATLANTA (WUPA) — A proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding center for detainees in a small Georgia town could be open as early as April, despite city officials pushing back against the plan.

In December, the Washington Post reported on a draft solicitation by ICE that would use “large-scale warehouses holding 5,000 to 10,000 each” before deportation. Social Circle was one of seven cities named as being the proposed site for one of those warehouses.

Social Circle leaders have called the plan unfeasible, saying that it could overwhelm the city’s resources and more than triple its population.

On Wednesday, the city leadership took to Facebook to say they had participated in a call with Georgia Rep. Mike Collins and his staff about the plan.

According to the city, they learned during that meeting that a PNK property currently in escrow was “moving toward final purchase by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”

“The site was initially considered as an alternative location; however, certain operational metrics ultimately aligned, resulting in the property being identified as a preferred site,” the post reads, in part.

City officials say they were also told that DHS has conducted an engineering evaluation of city utilities, which Social Circle was not involved in at any point. Social Circle has previously argued that the city did not have the water or sewer infrastructure to support the massive influx of people. DHS’s economic impact report has not been finalized.

Collins and his staff reportedly indicated that detainee housing could begin in April. The city has asked for information about the plan be given to them in writing.

Along with Social Circle, the ICE draft mentions one possible site in Jefferson, Georgia, as well as others located in Virginia, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, and Missouri.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Adam Thompson, Caroline Foreback

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    BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A 7-year-old brought a gun registered to his mother’s boyfriend to an Anne Arundel County school on Wednesday before accidentally discharging it in a classroom, according to police.

The boyfriend, 34-year-old Eashan John Stefanski, was served with a criminal summons on Thursday, charged with leaving a loaded firearm accessible to a minor.

The second-grader brought a handgun to Freetown Elementary School in Glen Burnie and discharged the gun inside his classroom, police said. He was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury to his hand.

Police said the boy brought the gun from his home. The Glock 27 firearm is registered to Stefanski, according to charging documents obtained by WJZ.

The charge does not carry jail time, but Stefanski could be fined up to $1,000.

“It’s a misdemeanor charge,” said Anne Arundel County Police spokesperson Justin Mulcahy. “That is for leaving a loaded firearm basically accessible to a minor – this 7-year-old child. The individual charged is an occupant of the home where the child lives. My understanding is he is a significant other to the child’s mother.”

Discharging at Freetown Elementary Officers were called to the elementary school on Wednesday morning after police said the child was showing off a gun when it discharged and shot him in the finger.

The bullet continued onto the floor, ricocheted, and struck a cabinet in the classroom, according to charging documents. Nine students and a teacher were inside the classroom at the time.

A teacher secured the weapon and provided aid to the student, according to police.

Checking the firearms in the home The child was living with his mother and her boyfriend, who keeps several firearms in the home, according to charging documents. Stefanski told police he keeps one gun in his car, one gun under his mattress, and three rifles in a locked safe in his closet.

Officers were permitted to check inside the home, where they found an unloaded handgun under the mattress, two unloaded guns locked in gun boxes in the bedroom closet, along with the keys. Police said a gun box was located without its Glock 27, but contained a gun lock, the keys and loaded magazines.

The responding officer determined the firearms were not properly stored from children, and police seized them.

Keeping guns away from children Anne Arundel County police are reminding gun owners about the county’s free gun lock program through the Anne Arundel County Department of Health and stressing the importance of safe storage and firearm education.

“Explaining the severity of it and the seriousness of it and why you keep those guns locked up and secured away from children,” Mulcahy said. “There’s a reason that you secure weapons away from children and talk about the dangers of weapons.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Jermont Terry

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    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A breathtaking Chicago alley is stunning visitors with its vibrant colors, with garage doors deliberately tagged resembling graffiti.

Just west of the Illinois Medical District, you’ll find some newer homes at the intersection of Campbell and Lexington in Tri-Taylor that look very similar, but it’s the back of those homes, specifically in the alley, that’s catching everyone’s attention.

“It gives us a chance to show off a little bit of our uniqueness in each of our houses,” said resident Brandon Thompson.

Each garage door shares a story — some showcase Chicago sports history, but Thompson loves it all the same.

The builder came up with the idea when the new structures were built, and he didn’t hesitate

“We got the chance to come check them out and see them before we moved in. Some neighbors got to choose their unique designs. One of our neighbors, who’s an artist, actually, did one of the murals. So yeah, we’re very proud of it,” Thompson said.

It’s not every day you expect people choose to stop in a city alley.

“Never. I stay away from alleys. But yeah, not this alley,” said Jennie Bustillo.

“It’s the most Insta-grammable alley in Chicago,” Thompson said.

It turns out the alley is more than just popular. People are coming out even on a winter night to get a glance.

“I never seen nothing like this before,” said visitor Danica King.

Danica, 13, is so amazed that she was taking pics and video through her mom’s sunroof.

“If someone like likes art and stuff, they should come out here and look at it,” she said.

She convinced her mom to venture down to this alley destination. Her grandmother, Lillian King, also found the visuals amazing.

“I see neighborhood unity, and I just love it. Maybe this something in my neighborhood I would love to do,” she said.

When garages open and close, people are often hanging out. Neighbors say it’s likely preventing unwanted graffiti in the neighborhood.

“I see it being a deterrent because I think the community respects it. People come to see it, and if there was vandalism, we wouldn’t notice it because it’s already a little tagged up,” Thompson said with laughter.

Only time will tell if the color trend will spread to other Chicago alleys.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Justin Hobbs

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    PHOENIX (KNXV) — Arizona and the Southwest are facing a growing water crisis, shrinking rivers, rising demand, and new AI data centers putting added pressure on supplies.

One inventor thinks the solution might be right above our heads.

Former Army Ranger Captain Moses West has created atmospheric water generators that pull moisture from the air, cool it, and turn it into purified drinking water- producing thousands of gallons a day, even in dry climates like Arizona.

Meteorologist Justin Hobbs shows how the machines work, where they’re already making an impact, and why this innovation could change the way we think about water in the desert.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By KAKE Staff

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    WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) — A Sedgwick County jury has awarded $8.3 million to the family of a Wichita teenager who died in law enforcement custody in 2021.

A federal jury awarded the family of Cedric Lofton $8.3 million in a lawsuit against five detention center officers involved in the events that led to the 17-year-old’s death.

Lofton suffered a heart attack and died after five officers pinned him facedown on the floor for about 39 minutes.

The $8.3 million was awarded to Lofton’s brother, Marquan Teetz, for pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of life and lost potential wages.

Teetz and several supporters who attended the trial daily exited the courthouse celebtrating what one called justice finally done.

“I’ve shared more days on this earth with my brother than anyone,” Teetz said outside of the courtroom Wednesday. “I feel like when you see me, you see him, you see him, you see me.

The jury ruled that only three of the officers used excessive force against Lofton that night and that four violated his civil rights. But it said all five failed to intervene to protect Lofton, and awarded his brother damages totaling $8.3 million.

“The facts are the facts,” Teetz said. “Cedric was murdered. Sat on him for 39 minutes. It’s what we all knew.”

The defendants and their attorneys declined to comment on the verdict.

Sedgwick County released a statement saying: Sedgwick County continues to follow its values in integrity and service to the people. We respect the judicial process and are reviewing the verdict, awaiting the finalization of court proceedings and discussing next steps.

The defendants can still appeal Wednesday’s verdict.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.