ST. JOSEPH - It's not a get out of jail free card.But parents who owe child support and are wanted on civil bench warrants in Berrien County will soon have a chance to avoid arrest and make a clean start.A one-day amnesty program June 26 will allow parents who are delinquent in support payments and sought on civil warrants to talk to the Friend of the Court staff without fear of arrest.Parents who show up for the event at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph can freely discuss case status, their employment situation and related matters.
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"This is an amnesty day. This is a freebee. Come on in," said FOC Director Thomas Watson.The FOC has lined up community organizations to help parents find work or get job training and other services. They include Michigan Works!, the Opportunity Center and the STRIVE program.Parents whose income has dropped because of job loss, work hour reduction or other factors can get help about petitioning the court to reduce or otherwise change child support orders.Those who attend the amnesty event will be asked to pay something toward their arrearage and work out a payment plan. For those who work out arrangements, bench warrants will not be enforced for 90 days and progress will be monitored by the FOC staff."It gives them that time frame where they don't have us looking down on them," said Mike Slater, FOC chief enforcement officer. read more
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Former NBA star in NW Ohio fighting lien for child support
TOLEDO -- James “Jimmy” Jackson's a beloved Toledo basketball star. He’s a graduate of Macomber High School, an Ohio State stand-out, and his talents took him to several teams in the NBA.The star may appear to be fading for this former hoops hero. His local business ventures have been struggling in the ailing economy, and now Jackson has become entangled in a child support triangle.
A document from Franklin County says the 38-year-old owes almost $300-thousand dollars to the mother of his child.
”He's the opposite of a dead beat dad,” says his attorney Chris Harbold. “He just wants this cleared up and wants to do what's right."
His Columbus based attorney says Jackson paid the woman directly, writing checks, instead of going through the system. He says this essentially created such the astronomical number. He says he was paid in full up until a few months ago, when Jackson filed a motion to have the payments lowered.
”It's an issue of him asking for a reduction in child support simply because of income differentials because he is no longer a professional athlete,” said Harbold.
A lien has been placed on Jackson's million dollar Holland home. To make matters worse the courts mixed up two other Ohio men, named James Jackson, with Jimmy. read more
A document from Franklin County says the 38-year-old owes almost $300-thousand dollars to the mother of his child.
”He's the opposite of a dead beat dad,” says his attorney Chris Harbold. “He just wants this cleared up and wants to do what's right."
His Columbus based attorney says Jackson paid the woman directly, writing checks, instead of going through the system. He says this essentially created such the astronomical number. He says he was paid in full up until a few months ago, when Jackson filed a motion to have the payments lowered.
”It's an issue of him asking for a reduction in child support simply because of income differentials because he is no longer a professional athlete,” said Harbold.
A lien has been placed on Jackson's million dollar Holland home. To make matters worse the courts mixed up two other Ohio men, named James Jackson, with Jimmy. read more
Former Basketball star having child support problems
TOLEDO -- James “Jimmy” Jackson's a beloved Toledo basketball star. He’s a graduate of Macomber High School, an Ohio State stand-out, and his talents took him to several teams in the NBA.
The star may appear to be fading for this former hoops hero. His local business ventures have been struggling in the ailing economy, and now Jackson has become entangled in a child support triangle.
A document from Franklin County says the 38-year-old owes almost $300-thousand dollars to the mother of his child.
”He's the opposite of a dead beat dad,” says his attorney Chris Harbold. “He just wants this cleared up and wants to do what's right."
His Columbus based attorney says Jackson paid the woman directly, writing checks, instead of going through the system. He says this essentially created such the astronomical number. He says he was paid in full up until a few months ago, when Jackson filed a motion to have the payments lowered.
”It's an issue of him asking for a reduction in child support simply because of income differentials because he is no longer a professional athlete,” said Harbold.
A lien has been placed on Jackson's million dollar Holland home. To make matters worse the courts mixed up two other Ohio men, named James Jackson, with Jimmy. read more
The star may appear to be fading for this former hoops hero. His local business ventures have been struggling in the ailing economy, and now Jackson has become entangled in a child support triangle.
A document from Franklin County says the 38-year-old owes almost $300-thousand dollars to the mother of his child.
”He's the opposite of a dead beat dad,” says his attorney Chris Harbold. “He just wants this cleared up and wants to do what's right."
His Columbus based attorney says Jackson paid the woman directly, writing checks, instead of going through the system. He says this essentially created such the astronomical number. He says he was paid in full up until a few months ago, when Jackson filed a motion to have the payments lowered.
”It's an issue of him asking for a reduction in child support simply because of income differentials because he is no longer a professional athlete,” said Harbold.
A lien has been placed on Jackson's million dollar Holland home. To make matters worse the courts mixed up two other Ohio men, named James Jackson, with Jimmy. read more
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Diploma Denied to Student Who Blew Kiss to Family, Pointed at Friends
A Maine high school senior was denied his diploma at graduation after he took a bow when his name was called, pointed to friends and blew a kiss to his family.
Justin Denney was graduating from Bonny Eagle High School June 12 and had gotten up on stage to receive his diploma when he gestured to his friends and relatives.
School Superintendent Suzanne Lukas abruptly told Denney to return to his seat, according to WMTW TV in Maine. He didn't get his diploma.
His mother, Mary Denney, is livid. Her son told her that the superintendent warned, "There's no fooling around up here."
"He just kind of looked at her because he wasn't fooling around. He didn't consider that fooling around or misbehaving in any sense of the word," Mary Denney told WMTW.
Lukas reportedly asked the soon-to-be graduate why he thought he deserved a diploma.
"He goes, 'Because I worked hard and I earned it,' and she goes, 'No, go take your seat,'" his mother told the station.
Other students also walked away empty-handed because of various disruptions during the ceremony. Some started playing with beach balls and others were separated from their friends, according to WMTW.
Mary Denney doesn't believe her son violated any code of conduct. read more
Justin Denney was graduating from Bonny Eagle High School June 12 and had gotten up on stage to receive his diploma when he gestured to his friends and relatives.
School Superintendent Suzanne Lukas abruptly told Denney to return to his seat, according to WMTW TV in Maine. He didn't get his diploma.
His mother, Mary Denney, is livid. Her son told her that the superintendent warned, "There's no fooling around up here."
"He just kind of looked at her because he wasn't fooling around. He didn't consider that fooling around or misbehaving in any sense of the word," Mary Denney told WMTW.
Lukas reportedly asked the soon-to-be graduate why he thought he deserved a diploma.
"He goes, 'Because I worked hard and I earned it,' and she goes, 'No, go take your seat,'" his mother told the station.
Other students also walked away empty-handed because of various disruptions during the ceremony. Some started playing with beach balls and others were separated from their friends, according to WMTW.
Mary Denney doesn't believe her son violated any code of conduct. read more
Ohio teen who killed mother over video game gets 23 years
ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) — A northeast Ohio teen who shot and killed his mother and wounded his minister father was sentenced Tuesday to 23 years to life in prison for crimes rooted in his obsession with video games with violent themes.
Daniel Petric, 17, who could have gotten life without parole, shook his head slightly, sniffled and held back tears but sat down without saying a word when given the chance by Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge.
Petric's eyes were red from crying when his father, Mark Petric, asked the judge to be lenient and said his son regrets killing his mother and reminds his father often that he is glad his father survived.
As for his mother, Daniel Petric's frequent comment is "Dad, I miss mom. I miss mom," the father said.
"He still does not understand why he did something so terrible," Mark Petric told the judge.
The prosecution disputed the contention that Petric had shown remorse for the crimes and asked for the maximum sentence.
Besides his father, Petric's sister, grandfather and other family members attended the hearing in Elyria, about 20 miles southwest of Cleveland. Some wiped away tears.
Petric was convicted of shooting his parents in October 2007 after they took the game "Halo 3" away from him. The judge, who heard the case without a jury, said at the time of the verdict that the teen was so obsessed over a video game that he may have believed that, like the characters in the game, death wasn't real.
The defense claimed his age and addiction to the game made him less responsible.
In the video game "Halo 3," players shoot alien monsters that have taken over the Earth.
Mark Petric, speaking for the family, said a sentence short of life without parole would give his son a second chance. read more
Daniel Petric, 17, who could have gotten life without parole, shook his head slightly, sniffled and held back tears but sat down without saying a word when given the chance by Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Burge.
Petric's eyes were red from crying when his father, Mark Petric, asked the judge to be lenient and said his son regrets killing his mother and reminds his father often that he is glad his father survived.
As for his mother, Daniel Petric's frequent comment is "Dad, I miss mom. I miss mom," the father said.
"He still does not understand why he did something so terrible," Mark Petric told the judge.
The prosecution disputed the contention that Petric had shown remorse for the crimes and asked for the maximum sentence.
Besides his father, Petric's sister, grandfather and other family members attended the hearing in Elyria, about 20 miles southwest of Cleveland. Some wiped away tears.
Petric was convicted of shooting his parents in October 2007 after they took the game "Halo 3" away from him. The judge, who heard the case without a jury, said at the time of the verdict that the teen was so obsessed over a video game that he may have believed that, like the characters in the game, death wasn't real.
The defense claimed his age and addiction to the game made him less responsible.
In the video game "Halo 3," players shoot alien monsters that have taken over the Earth.
Mark Petric, speaking for the family, said a sentence short of life without parole would give his son a second chance. read more
Queens baby dies after falling into mop bucket at day care center
Police were investigating the death of a Queens baby who perished Monday when he fell headfirst into a mop bucket at his baby-sitter's house.
James Farrior, who would have been 1 year old next month, was declared dead at Jamaica Hospital at 11:25 a.m.
"What can I say, he was my baby? We're trying to cope," said his devastated mom, Chrisann Josiah. "We don't know what happened yet."
It was not immediately clear if James drowned or broke his neck. An autopsy will be performed today.
"I saw the firefighters bring the boy out. He was gasping for air," said neighbor Billy Casares, 41. "It's heartbreaking."
Baby-sitter Kristal Khan, 28, who normally took care of two neighborhood kids along with her small son and daughter in an informal but legal day care arrangement, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, police said.
Police sources said Khan told cops James and her two kids, ages 3 and 4, were in the living room with the bucket when she went to fetch a mop.
When she came back, she found James had fallen headfirst into the blue 7-gallon mop bucket that was three-quarters full of water.
Neighbor Liz Rivero, 31, a mother of three, said she began to pray when she saw a firefighter running Monday morning with the baby, limp and faceup, to an ambulance waiting a block away.
"I started to cry when I saw that. I am a mom," Rivero said.
Khan and a man neighbors said was her brother were taken away for questioning.Read more:
James Farrior, who would have been 1 year old next month, was declared dead at Jamaica Hospital at 11:25 a.m.
"What can I say, he was my baby? We're trying to cope," said his devastated mom, Chrisann Josiah. "We don't know what happened yet."
It was not immediately clear if James drowned or broke his neck. An autopsy will be performed today.
"I saw the firefighters bring the boy out. He was gasping for air," said neighbor Billy Casares, 41. "It's heartbreaking."
Baby-sitter Kristal Khan, 28, who normally took care of two neighborhood kids along with her small son and daughter in an informal but legal day care arrangement, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, police said.
Police sources said Khan told cops James and her two kids, ages 3 and 4, were in the living room with the bucket when she went to fetch a mop.
When she came back, she found James had fallen headfirst into the blue 7-gallon mop bucket that was three-quarters full of water.
Neighbor Liz Rivero, 31, a mother of three, said she began to pray when she saw a firefighter running Monday morning with the baby, limp and faceup, to an ambulance waiting a block away.
"I started to cry when I saw that. I am a mom," Rivero said.
Khan and a man neighbors said was her brother were taken away for questioning.Read more:
Maine Mom Nabbed in International Child Porn Sting
A mother of four young children in Maine was charged Monday with gross sexual assault after British investigators more than 3,000 miles away used the Internet to allegedly catch her in the act of Webcasting a sexual assault of her young child.
Julie M. Carr, 30, of Mars Hill, Maine, was arrested at about 11 p.m. Friday. Her four children — believed to range from 18 months to 5 years old — were taken into protective custody.
The Child Exploitation Investigation Team of England's West Midlands Police said their unit received information late Thursday that a local man was using the Internet to show inappropriate material of children. An unidentified 18-year-old man was later arrested in Walsall, England.
A day later, on Friday, additional information was obtained by investigators, prompting the West Midland Police to contact officials at the Child Exploitation Online Protection and the U.S. Embassy.
"Our officers worked through the night on Thursday and Friday to ensure the identification and safety of these children across the other side of the world," West Midlands Police Detective Chief Inspector Dave McCrone said in a statement obtained by FOXNews.com. "Many people use the Internet safely and securely; however, there are a small minority who choose to use it to commit criminality."
"We work to make people safer, sooner. The very same technology used to commit the crime enables us to work quickly to protect those who may be vulnerable."
Carr, who is being held on $50,000 bail on charges of gross sexual assault and felony exploitation of a child, was arraigned by videoconference before a judge on Monday. She did not enter a plea, Maine State Police Det. Sgt. John Cote told FOXNews.com.
Cote declined to identify the victim seen during the assault but said one recording was taken as recently as Wednesday.
"That's kind of what facilitated us acting quickly on this information as we received it," he told FOXNews.com.
Cote said it was impossible to immediately determine how many individuals viewed the material allegedly posted by Carr. He declined to discuss statements Carr may have given to investigators, but said "this type of crime" is increasingly common. more
Julie M. Carr, 30, of Mars Hill, Maine, was arrested at about 11 p.m. Friday. Her four children — believed to range from 18 months to 5 years old — were taken into protective custody.
The Child Exploitation Investigation Team of England's West Midlands Police said their unit received information late Thursday that a local man was using the Internet to show inappropriate material of children. An unidentified 18-year-old man was later arrested in Walsall, England.
A day later, on Friday, additional information was obtained by investigators, prompting the West Midland Police to contact officials at the Child Exploitation Online Protection and the U.S. Embassy.
"Our officers worked through the night on Thursday and Friday to ensure the identification and safety of these children across the other side of the world," West Midlands Police Detective Chief Inspector Dave McCrone said in a statement obtained by FOXNews.com. "Many people use the Internet safely and securely; however, there are a small minority who choose to use it to commit criminality."
"We work to make people safer, sooner. The very same technology used to commit the crime enables us to work quickly to protect those who may be vulnerable."
Carr, who is being held on $50,000 bail on charges of gross sexual assault and felony exploitation of a child, was arraigned by videoconference before a judge on Monday. She did not enter a plea, Maine State Police Det. Sgt. John Cote told FOXNews.com.
Cote declined to identify the victim seen during the assault but said one recording was taken as recently as Wednesday.
"That's kind of what facilitated us acting quickly on this information as we received it," he told FOXNews.com.
Cote said it was impossible to immediately determine how many individuals viewed the material allegedly posted by Carr. He declined to discuss statements Carr may have given to investigators, but said "this type of crime" is increasingly common. more
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