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Elderly Marion man accused of using groceries ‘pretense’ to sexually abuse children
Read full article: Elderly Marion man accused of using groceries ‘pretense’ to sexually abuse childrenAccording to investigators, he visited the girl's home under the "pretense" of needing help with his groceries. Detectives said they believe there could be more victims.
Mom accused of murdering baby after Orange County fire, deputies say
Read full article: Mom accused of murdering baby after Orange County fire, deputies sayBack in August, the mother and her two children were taken to the hospital with “serious injuries” that they suffered in the fire, deputies said.
Community saves ‘The Little Mermaid’ production at Winter Garden Theatre
Read full article: Community saves ‘The Little Mermaid’ production at Winter Garden TheatreThe Winter Garden Theatre, which had been closed for weeks, will reopen its doors Thursday evening for a debut performance of "The Little Mermaid."
‘Feel alive:’ Orlando mom says chatbot caused 14-year-old son to kill himself
Read full article: ‘Feel alive:’ Orlando mom says chatbot caused 14-year-old son to kill himselfAfter her son committed suicide earlier this year, Megan Garcia is now accusing Character.AI of sexual abuse and wrongful death.
‘Bring to justice:’ Orlando hospital accused of breaking newborn’s neck, trying to hide it
Read full article: ‘Bring to justice:’ Orlando hospital accused of breaking newborn’s neck, trying to hide itAs a result of the injury, Jahxy was paralyzed and became unable to breathe on her own, leading to her death, the lawsuit says.
‘Severe consequences:’ Orange County schools issue stern warning over student threats
Read full article: ‘Severe consequences:’ Orange County schools issue stern warning over student threatsOrange County Public Schools issued a warning to families of students in grades 6-12 on Thursday regarding potential expulsion.
COMING SOON: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to open all new kid-friendly Wild Oasis realm
Read full article: COMING SOON: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to open all new kid-friendly Wild Oasis realmGet lost in the immersive sights and sounds of the rainforest as you make your way through all new animal exhibits and attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Wild Oasis realm.
‘Mutilation:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis discusses new law against child trans treatments
Read full article: ‘Mutilation:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis discusses new law against child trans treatmentsDuring a news conference in Citrus County on Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis discussed his response to a federal appeals court ruling that allowed a state ban on transgender treatments for minors to go into effect.
Florida boy hopes to win mullet competition. Here’s why it’s more than just a haircut
Read full article: Florida boy hopes to win mullet competition. Here’s why it’s more than just a haircutEight-year-old Jack Keuntjes, of Ocala, is turning heads with his mullet, but for him, it’s much more than that.
‘Shame on him:’ St. Cloud residents concerned over dangerous local street
Read full article: ‘Shame on him:’ St. Cloud residents concerned over dangerous local streetDriving down 13th Street — also known as 192 — can be a nightmare. Rebecca Laisch said crossing that street on foot could cost you your life.
She became a mother after Islamic State captivity. A decade on, Yazidi community shuns her children
Read full article: She became a mother after Islamic State captivity. A decade on, Yazidi community shuns her childrenAs the 10th anniversary of the Islamic State group's atrocities against Iraq's Yazidis approaches, a traumatized community is still in many ways convulsed by the legacy of the militants' onslaught.
At what age can you legally leave a child home alone in Florida? The answer may surprise you
Read full article: At what age can you legally leave a child home alone in Florida? The answer may surprise youMany states have minimum age recommendations — but just over a dozen have statutory requirements.
Here’s how many visitors go into debt during their Disney trips. Would you?
Read full article: Here’s how many visitors go into debt during their Disney trips. Would you?According to the data, 24% of visitors to Disney’s theme parks have gone into debt for the trip. But certain parents have it far worse.
Parents demand more safety measures after child’s tragic death in Port Orange
Read full article: Parents demand more safety measures after child’s tragic death in Port OrangeFourth-grader Shaolan Kamaly was fatally struck by a car while riding her bike in the crosswalk near Sugar Mill Elementary last month, sparking outrage in the community.
Missing Central Florida teen found safe, say Sumter County deputies
Read full article: Missing Central Florida teen found safe, say Sumter County deputiesThe Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said authorities and volunteers were searching for Peyton O Pickard, 16, who walked away from his home near C-575 and West C-48 in Bushnell.
‘Many personalities:’ Ocala man claiming alter ego arrested after infant seriously hurt
Read full article: ‘Many personalities:’ Ocala man claiming alter ego arrested after infant seriously hurtBratt's wife told detectives that he has two personalities he can switch between willingly — “Jack, who is the defendant’s normal self, and Jake, who is the defendant’s alter ego.”
📝 National test scores reveal US students losing proficiency in history and civics
Read full article: 📝 National test scores reveal US students losing proficiency in history and civicsAmerican youth aren't making the grade in civics or history following a trend of declining achievement in math and reading, according to recent data from the largest assessment of student aptitude.
‘My heart just dropped:’ Florida mom finds tracking device in her son’s shoe. Here’s what happened
Read full article: ‘My heart just dropped:’ Florida mom finds tracking device in her son’s shoe. Here’s what happenedA Florida mother found a strange surprise in her son’s shoe earlier this year, sparking concerns over a potential stalker.
2-year-old seriously hurt in St. Petersburg crash due to car seat issue, troopers say
Read full article: 2-year-old seriously hurt in St. Petersburg crash due to car seat issue, troopers sayIn a release, FHP officials said that the crash happened around 7:33 a.m. at the intersection of 41st Avenue North and 28th Street North.
Parents discover rare, deadly illness in daughter after watching TikTok video
Read full article: Parents discover rare, deadly illness in daughter after watching TikTok videoFour-year-old Veda UIrich of Palm Coast is facing a terminal and degenerative illness. Her parents Christin and Jericho Ulrich found out in the most unexpected way.
Here’s how Florida’s new 6-week abortion ban plans to help pregnant mothers
Read full article: Here’s how Florida’s new 6-week abortion ban plans to help pregnant mothersThe Heartbeat Protection Act was signed by Governor Ron Desantis in April of last year, which would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.
2 Florida 10-year-olds arrested after gun exchanged at elementary school
Read full article: 2 Florida 10-year-olds arrested after gun exchanged at elementary schoolDetectives explained that back in February, one of the students agreed to trade a handgun — which belonged to his deceased father — for $300.
Ex-teacher in Florida found guilty of drugging, sexually abusing foreign exchange student
Read full article: Ex-teacher in Florida found guilty of drugging, sexually abusing foreign exchange studentIn an arrest affidavit, police said that Kostyunin had drugged the boy with marijuana-laced chocolates and gave him wine while watching a movie about Elton John and “how he became gay.”
👴 Here’s how many people in Orange County are grandparents caring for grandchildren
Read full article: 👴 Here’s how many people in Orange County are grandparents caring for grandchildrenIn some parts of the U.S., a family structure where grandparents take on guardian responsibilities for their young grandchildren is fairly common.
👵 Here’s how many people in Marion County are grandparents caring for grandchildren
Read full article: 👵 Here’s how many people in Marion County are grandparents caring for grandchildrenIn some parts of the U.S., a family structure where grandparents take on guardian responsibilities for their young grandchildren is fairly common.
YMCA hosts camp in Seminole County for kids, families still reeling from Hurricane Ian
Read full article: YMCA hosts camp in Seminole County for kids, families still reeling from Hurricane IanSeminole County is hoping to get results for kids and families still feeling the mental and physical impacts of Hurricane Ian.
High school student uses podcast to cultivate trust between communities, law enforcement
Read full article: High school student uses podcast to cultivate trust between communities, law enforcementHe’s recorded about 20 shows with everyone from current officers, politicians and citizens. He understands that there have been legitimate incidents that cast police in a negative light but feels the positive far outweighs the negative.
Runaway 9-year-old missing in Volusia County was ‘upset about getting in trouble’
Read full article: Runaway 9-year-old missing in Volusia County was ‘upset about getting in trouble’Deputies said the child — identified as “Gabriel” — had fled from his mother near St. James Avenue and Whitehorse Street.
Brevard preschool teacher accused of kicking, slapping child ‘for being bad’
Read full article: Brevard preschool teacher accused of kicking, slapping child ‘for being bad’In an arrest affidavit, deputies said that a child was picked up from Tick Tock Kids Academy on Friday after “being disruptive and placed in timeout twice.”
Officer arrests, pepper sprays 12-year-old girl at Orlando middle school
Read full article: Officer arrests, pepper sprays 12-year-old girl at Orlando middle schoolPolice told News 6 that while classes were in session at Lake Nona Middle School, the child “became verbally aggressive and physically violent with school staff and the School Resource Officer.”
‘Left a mess:’ Suspected burglar found hiding in slide at Flagler County playground
Read full article: ‘Left a mess:’ Suspected burglar found hiding in slide at Flagler County playgroundDeputies said they responded to Casa Montessori School in Palm Coast after receiving reports of a “suspicious person” who was spotted trying to open several vehicles.
2 boys missing out of Ocala, considered endangered due to father’s behavior, deputies say
Read full article: 2 boys missing out of Ocala, considered endangered due to father’s behavior, deputies sayThe Marion County Sheriff's Office on Sunday alerted the public to two missing children whose father is believed to have taken them out of state.
3 children arrested after Marion County high schools receive shooting, bombing threats
Read full article: 3 children arrested after Marion County high schools receive shooting, bombing threatsThree children — ages 12, 13 and 14 — were taken into custody after high school students received the threats via text messages last month, police said.
Florida bill would teach history of communism in public schools. Here’s why
Read full article: Florida bill would teach history of communism in public schools. Here’s whyExamples of communist movements provided in the bill include the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China and the Third Reich of Nazi Germany.
Marion County school district considers change to start and end times
Read full article: Marion County school district considers change to start and end timesMarion County Public Schools is considering creating uniform start and end times across the district, which would potentially change start and end times to the school day by hours for some schools.
Parents of medically fragile children still waiting for Florida-approved assistance
Read full article: Parents of medically fragile children still waiting for Florida-approved assistanceParents and relatives caring for medically fragile children 21 years of age and younger will have to wait to apply for medical training and financial compensation provided under a new state law approved in the last legislative session.
Vigil honors 9-year-old cancer survivor killed by Orange County school bus
Read full article: Vigil honors 9-year-old cancer survivor killed by Orange County school busA group of community members and loved ones came together on Wednesday to honor the life of a 9-year-old boy killed after being hit by a school bus.
‘Whipped’ 4th-graders at Orlando school spark no charges
Read full article: ‘Whipped’ 4th-graders at Orlando school spark no chargesAccording to the SAO, the parents complained that the leader “administered corporal punishment” to 16 of the students, using a belt to lash their hips, legs, and backsides.
Are any Florida sex offenders living near you? Here’s how to find out
Read full article: Are any Florida sex offenders living near you? Here’s how to find outLocal ordinances can restrict where these offenders live, so there are often cases where many of these offenders will live clustered in a given area.
St. Cloud mom, boyfriend arrested in 7-year-old’s yearlong sexual assault
Read full article: St. Cloud mom, boyfriend arrested in 7-year-old’s yearlong sexual assaultIn addition to the sexual assault, the girl told investigators that Laws and other family members were aware of the crime — but they hadn’t reported them to law enforcement, detectives explained.
Palm Bay could be next to install speeding cameras in school zones
Read full article: Palm Bay could be next to install speeding cameras in school zonesAfter writing 112 tickets in school zones in the last two years, Palm Bay police are requesting that the city approve speeding cameras near 16 schools.
‘True evil’: Man accused of ‘grooming’ runaway Florida teen to kidnap child
Read full article: ‘True evil’: Man accused of ‘grooming’ runaway Florida teen to kidnap childDeputies said the man had a habit of encouraging "vulnerable" young girls to brand themselves with the letters “VIL” — part of his online username.
‘I just didn’t want to be in the cage’: University of Florida scientists accused of locking kids in cages
Read full article: ‘I just didn’t want to be in the cage’: University of Florida scientists accused of locking kids in cagesThe couple's child one day told investigators that he “did not want to go home because the father built a cage to lock him in while the mother worked,” police said.
This Deltona teen ran away nearly a month ago. Do you know where she is?
Read full article: This Deltona teen ran away nearly a month ago. Do you know where she is?In a release, deputies said the teen — Carmen Carruyo, 16 — ran away from her home in Deltona, though investigators have been unable to find her.
Ocala 11-year-old missing, endangered after suspicious disappearance from home
Read full article: Ocala 11-year-old missing, endangered after suspicious disappearance from homeDue to the “suspicious circumstances” surrounding his disappearance, Mobley’s family and law enforcement are concerned for his safety, deputies explained.
Hagerty High School senior achieves perfect ACT score before graduation
Read full article: Hagerty High School senior achieves perfect ACT score before graduationA Seminole County senior is making headlines after conquering a standardized test and becoming one of the few people in the United States to receive a perfect score.
Orange County schools release guidelines for restrooms, pronouns and more
Read full article: Orange County schools release guidelines for restrooms, pronouns and moreOn Monday, the district released its new “inclusive support” guidelines to clarify rules regarding restrooms, pronouns and other issues.
Nearly 1K Volusia students may have to switch schools next year amid developments
Read full article: Nearly 1K Volusia students may have to switch schools next year amid developmentsWith more than 200,000 homes projected to soon be built in Southeast Volusia, and hundreds more in other parts of the county, district leaders said they’re going to have to move students to different schools.
‘We want justice for our little baby:’ Vigil held for girl killed in Orlando hit-and-run crash
Read full article: ‘We want justice for our little baby:’ Vigil held for girl killed in Orlando hit-and-run crashAiyanna McCoy and her family were struck Saturday night by a silver Mercedes while they were in the Uber, a Nissan Pathfinder, on North Orange Blossom Trail near Ace Road in Orange County.
Volusia County council denies school district more school resource officers
Read full article: Volusia County council denies school district more school resource officersThe district asked for the council to agree to add seven deputies for several middle schools, but the council unanimously denied the request due to the budget.
8 students ‘whipped’ during class at Orlando prep school, parents claim
Read full article: 8 students ‘whipped’ during class at Orlando prep school, parents claimOrlando police responded to a preparatory school in Orlando on Thursday following reports of an individual at the school “whipping” students with a belt during class.
8 students ‘whipped’ during class at Orlando prep school, parents claim
Read full article: 8 students ‘whipped’ during class at Orlando prep school, parents claimOrlando police responded to a preparatory school in Orlando on Thursday following reports of an individual at the school “whipping” students with a belt during class.
Volusia County nonprofit pushes for Narcan in schools after drug issues
Read full article: Volusia County nonprofit pushes for Narcan in schools after drug issuesKaren Chaprek wants Volusia County Schools to equip school staff with Narcan kits. She said that with training, it is simple to use — and can save a life.
Parents demand answers after man shot, killed by Marion deputy on youth football field
Read full article: Parents demand answers after man shot, killed by Marion deputy on youth football fieldParents of athletes who play in the Marion County Youth Football League were invited to speak on Wednesday, a day after a deputy shot and killed a man dangerously close to their children.
‘Want to watch me shoot a kid?’ Florida man accused of pulling gun after being ‘ding-dong ditched’
Read full article: ‘Want to watch me shoot a kid?’ Florida man accused of pulling gun after being ‘ding-dong ditched’Investigators said that they learned several children had “ding-dong ditched” the home and ran away, though Rodgers was able to find two of them across the street.
Volusia commissioner pushes for new rules to crack down on sex offenders
Read full article: Volusia commissioner pushes for new rules to crack down on sex offendersUsing law enforcement data, Councilman Robins said he determined that Volusia County ranks in the top five statewide for sexual offenders and predators.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to fight against abortion amendment
Read full article: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to fight against abortion amendmentAttorney General Ashley Moody will try to block a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to ensure abortion rights in Florida, according to a filing Monday at the state Supreme Court.
Apopka police chief responds to violence against children in the community
Read full article: Apopka police chief responds to violence against children in the communityIn the past week, an 11-year-old was arrested after a shooting at a local football practice, and a 7-year-old was killed in a burglary crash.
4th-grader handcuffed at Oviedo elementary school during outburst, video shows
Read full article: 4th-grader handcuffed at Oviedo elementary school during outburst, video showsLast month, the student’s parents filed a lawsuit against the city of Oviedo over the incident, claiming that the officers used “unnecessary and unreasonable” force.
Missing child alert canceled after Lake County teen deemed safe
Read full article: Missing child alert canceled after Lake County teen deemed safeAliyah Duncan, a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing last month out of Lake County, was deemed safe as of Saturday, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Parents express confidence in Pop Warner league after 2 teens shot at Apopka practice
Read full article: Parents express confidence in Pop Warner league after 2 teens shot at Apopka practiceParents in Apopka attended an emergency meeting Wednesday after an 11-year-old shot two children during a Pop Warner football practice.
Parents sue Oviedo after special-needs child handcuffed by officer at elementary school
Read full article: Parents sue Oviedo after special-needs child handcuffed by officer at elementary schoolThe lawsuit states that the child was a fourth-grade student at Stenstrom Elementary School. The document shows that the student had special-needs plans, which identified “physical aggression” as a behavioral problem.