News from the Lone Star State

[TexasStooge]

Low score on AP test could cut GPA points

Irving: District looking for ways to improve results, motivate kids

By KATHERINE LEAL UNMUTH / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING, Texas - Earning the lowest score on an Advanced Placement exam could soon cost Irving students some of their weighted grade points.

The school district and its improvement committee – made up of educators, parents and students – are considering several strategies aimed at strengthening the district's AP program. The recommendations were approved Thursday by the full committee. The school board will get its first look at them at its May 1 meeting.

The percentage of the district's students earning a score of 3 or higher on the tests has decreased, while the number of students taking the exams has increased. Last year, about 45 percent of the more than 2,000 tests taken yielded a 1, the lowest possible score on a 5-point scale.

Many colleges award credit for a score of at least 3. But more are raising the bar.

The district's system allows students taking AP courses to multiply their grade percentage by 1.1, thereby boosting their GPA. The proposal would decrease that multiplier to 1.05 for students scoring a 1 on AP exams.

Superintendent Jack Singley said administrators are trying to motivate students to perform better with an incentive to achieve. Others believe the idea is punitive.

"It might be a disincentive," said Walter Dewar, vice president of AP Strategies, which works with AP programs in the Dallas school district. "I wouldn't want to go down that road."

He wondered whether the proposal would affect seniors because they don't get their scores until July.

But Arturo Aguero, 17, a Nimitz High School senior taking five AP classes this year, said he believes it's fair to strip GPA points because it might "filter out" unmotivated students.

"I'm thinking a 2 is easy to get unless you don't have any background knowledge," he said

Testing requirement

The school district is unique in that it requires every student who takes an AP class to also take the exam. The district pays exam costs. Most other districts let students choose whether to take the exam.

By testing everyone, Irving administrators know not all students will be motivated.

Dylan Cowart, 16, a MacArthur High School sophomore taking two AP courses, said the district shouldn't force all students to take the test. Some fall asleep or just doodle on their papers during exams, he said.

The new policy "would encourage them to at least attempt the test so their GPA wouldn't be shaved," Dylan said. "Irving is generous enough to pay for it, but some kids don't take the opportunity they have."

Audrey Achilles, 16, a MacArthur student taking four AP courses this year, said she believes most students who pay attention in class should be able to get at least a 2 on the AP exam. But, she said, taking away the weighted grade points doesn't seem fair, especially if a student is getting a good grade in class.

"Tests don't always reflect how people do in the classroom," she said. "If they sleep during the test, that's one thing, but if they're trying really hard, that's completely different."

The rapidly expanding enrollment in AP classes throughout the U.S. has raised concerns about quality – both in terms of student preparedness and teacher qualification. The College Board, which administers the AP program, is working to address those issues through an audit of teacher lesson plans.

Focus on performance

In the last five years, Irving ISD has focused on increasing participation, especially among Latino students. Now the district is turning its attention to performance.

"I think it's a curriculum issue," said Lupita Garcia, director of parent and student support services. "The whole curriculum should be beefed up."

Deborah George, the district's director of gifted and talented programs, said she's meeting with experienced and successful AP teachers to learn their strategies.

Mr. Dewar of AP Strategies said the Dallas school district has focused its resources primarily on AP tests in core subjects such as math, science and English. DISD offers financial incentives to students and teachers who score well, and it has experienced teachers who mentor new AP teachers and provide daily lesson plans.

"It's very important, especially for first-year teachers working in places where there's not some other experienced person who can help them," he said. "The key thing that districts need to do is put a qualified, trained teacher in the classroom."

Irving ISD is also looking at several other ways to improve performance. Among the ideas:

• Communicating the program's expectations to teachers, counselors, parents and students.

• Developing an electronic system to track AP exam scores by student, campus, course and teacher.

• Aligning the curriculum vertically, with the possibility of offering pre-AP social studies courses to help prepare students.

• Providing ongoing professional development to AP teachers.

• Investigating programs to improve performance and trying to obtain a federally funded AP incentive grant.

[TexasStooge]

Police seek missing infant

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Dallas police were searching Tuesday morning for an infant who has been missing since Monday afternoon.

Ten-month-old Zyheem Jackson was last seen at 2 p.m. Monday near the Oasis Apartments in the 3000 block of Ledbetter Drive.

Police believe the child was taken by Frank Wynn, 16, who has previously served as a babysitter.

Detectives said they do not feel Zyheem is in any immediate danger, but asked that anyone with information about the missing child contact police.

No Amber Alert has been issued in connection with the case. The criteria for an Amber Alert include confirmation of an abduction and risk of serious bodily injury or death.

[TexasStooge]

Teen sues Fort Worth in wrongful death claim

By DAN RONAN / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas - A teenage woman is suing Fort Worth for $10 million after she said negligence by a police officer killed her baby.

Laura Navarro's 2-day-old child died after being born prematurely as a result of a car accident last week with a Fort Worth officer.

Dallas Attorney Domingo Garcia said he believes the officer was negligent when his police vehicle landed on top of a car in which 17-year-old Navarro was a passenger. The high school junior was seven months pregnant.

She delivered the baby, but the boy died two days later.

Fighting back tears, Navarro said she and her boyfriend are preparing for a funeral later this week for their baby Javen.

Last week, Navarro and other family members were driving in Tarrant County when a car being driven by Officer Chris Fearneyhough hit the Navarro vehicle.

"Right when I looked up I saw the car hit us," Navarro said. "The next thing I did was get out of the car, but I didn't walk out because I couldn't breathe. I was hurting really bad. I slid out of the car."

Navarro's lawyer said he believes her abdomen was struck hard by the airbag.

Injured, Laura Navarro went into labor and delivered the baby through an emergency C-section two months premature.

Officer Fearneyhough was off-duty at the time.

The city said he was legally driving the police car because he is a member of a team of emergency first responders and they're allowed to have cars. However, they did admit he had become distracted while driving.

"He reached to the floor and apparently in doing so accidently drifted across the line," said Sheriff Dee Anderson.

Navarro's attorney said five days after the accident he's yet to see a police report.

"It definitely raises questions as to whether the Tarrant County Sheriffs Department and the Fort Worth Police Department have something to hide, and if they're treating this case differently than that of an average citizen involved in a car accident," said Domingo Garcia, Navarro's lawyer.

Navarro's attorney said he may also sue Ford Motor Company and the manufacturer of the airbag because there was no way for it to be disabled for the pregnant teen.

[TexasStooge]

Suspected drunk driver hits Good Samaritan

By YOLANDA WALKER / WFAA ABC 8

LAKE WORTH, Texas - Nirza Moncada was trying to help someone change a flat tire in the 6100 block of Jacksboro Highway Sunday night when police said a suspected drunk driver crashed into the car and pinned her leg.

Moncada had spent Easter with her family and decided to leave with her husband for awhile in their car when her family said they stopped to help somebody on the side of the road.

"They went for a ride and tried to help somebody and this guy hit her," said Jose Moncada, Nirza Moncada's brother. "I mean, it is kind of hard for us."

Police said Jose Felix Herrera was driving a red and white Honda when he ran into the car that pinned Moncada while she was sitting along a guardrail at 820 and State Highway 199 in Lake Worth.

Herrera attempted to flee the scene but two witnesses cornered him until authorities arrived on the scene, police said.

"He was on a cell phone at the time," said Capt. Dave Tatsak, Lake Worth Police Department. "He was arrested and showed several indicators of intoxication by alcoholic beverage. And they did find an amount of marijuana in his pocket."

The 21-year-old newlywed victim has undergone two surgeries, which included one that amputated most of her left leg.

Police warned Good Samaritans that helping stranded drivers takes caution.

"It is a very dangerous thing to try to stop and help," Capt. Tatsak said. "I would suggest helping them get away from the side of the road. Don't attempt to do repairs on the vehicle in fast moving traffic."

Herrera faces felony charges of intoxication assault and bail was set at $25,000. The Immigration and Naturalization Service is also investigating and he may face deportation as well.

"Hopefully, he is in jail [and] he won't come out for a long time," Jose Moncada said.

[TexasStooge]

Bars post date rape reminder

'Don't be naive, and know there are predators out there. ... Nightclubs are no exception.'

By JON NIELSEN / The Dallas Morning News

Clair Middleton's date seemed to be what she was looking for. He was a young doctor who seemed trustworthy.

"I felt completely safe," she said. "A doctor – you wouldn't think this is someone who is going to cause you harm."

It wasn't until she woke up naked in his apartment that she knew things had gone wrong.

"I looked at him and said, 'You raped me,' " she said.

Her date, Rakesh Perwani, dropped a pill into her drink. After that, she became disoriented and had no idea what happened to her until she woke up.

Date rape has become an all-too-familiar occurrence in local bars and nightclubs. And alcohol is frequently at the root of it.

Two agencies are launching separate campaigns this month to stop date rape before it happens. As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Dallas County Sexual Assault Coalition and The Turning Point (Rape Crisis Center of Collin County) are distributing posters to nightclubs and bars for display in restrooms.

In Ms. Middleton's case, her attacker was found guilty on sexual assault charges after a second victim came forward with a similar story.

The Dallas Morning News generally does not identify victims of sexual assaults, but Ms. Middleton allowed her name to be used because she wants to help lessen the stigma of such attacks.

Experts say many cases go unreported. Of 600 sexual assaults reported last year to the Dallas Police Department, about 240 involved alcohol.

"When it comes to public safety issues, we try to be proactive," said Don Nedler, owner of the Lizard Lounge, who asked that his club be part of the coalition's Protecting Our Patrons Program.

"I think it's a serious issue, and I think public education is important," he said. "We felt like our customers need to know that there is a potential danger out there, and you can avoid that danger by being aware.

"Don't be naive, and know there are predators out there. There are predators everywhere. Nightclubs are no exception."

In bold letters, one of the posters proclaims, "Who's watching your drink? Protect yourself."

Inside a Lizard Lounge restroom stall, women will be reminded to think about their personal safety and be aware that unattended drinks can be spiked, says Dallas police Sgt. Patrick Welsh.

"We want ladies to be more educated, to not put them in dangerous situations where they could become a victim. We want them to think, 'Where is my drink?' and go and pour it out and get a new one," said Sgt. Welsh.

The coalition's posters will be in both English and Spanish, and some will be displayed in the men's restrooms. Those posters depict the silhouette of a man being led away in handcuffs. In black letters on an orange background, it reads, "Don't be a rapist. No Means No."

In addition to the posters, Clear Channel Communications of San Antonio will donate billboards for the program.

The Turning Point is targeting Collin County hot spots. The group has 100 posters ready for distribution.

Erin O'Hara, community education coordinator at the agency, said her program is targeting the myths and stereotypes about rape. She says many people think it can't happen to them.

"It's not something you only hear about in movies or on special crime detective shows. It is happening, and it is happening in the area, and it concerns all of us," she said.

Mr. Welsh said the campaign is as in your face as posters can get, but the two groups will probably never know how much it helped make people aware of the consequences.

"We'll probably not ever know if this will be a success, but if we could stop one, then it will be."

[TexasStooge]

Car drives into convenience store

By WALT ZWIRKO / WFAA.com

LITTLE ELM, Texas — A car drove into a Little Elm convenience store Tuesday morning, injuring the driver and causing damage to the front of the building and its contents.

Little Elm Police Capt. G.W. Howard said an elderly woman lost control of her vehicle and drove into the 7-Eleven in the 8900 block of FM 423 around 7:45 a.m.

"She was screaming, 'I can't believe I did this!" said 7-Eleven employee Sue Plunkett, who was serving customers when the morning routine was shattered in this Denton County community west of Frisco.

"I looked up and saw all the counters moving back, and it took me a second to realize that a car had come through the window," Plunkett said. "There were like six or eight customers that had just walked from that area up to the counter together."

"Thankfully, there was no one standing by those windows when the car came in," Capt. Howard added.

Little Elm Fire Chief Joe Florentino said the driver of the car, whose name was not released, did not appear to be seriously hurt. She was taken to Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton as a precaution. Florentino said no one else was injured.

The woman's vehicle remained entirely inside the store for about an hour after the accident, which shattered a large plate glass window and toppled several large shelves full of merchandise. The floor of the store was covered with shattered glass, spilled soft drinks and automotive fluids.

The 7-Eleven was closed pending repairs.


Walt Zwirko / WFAA.com
The driver of the car was not seriously hurt.

[TexasStooge]

Dallas police considering new vehicle pursuit policy

Panel expected to back setting limits on chases over minor offenses

By TANYA EISERER / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - The Dallas Police Department may curb the circumstances under which officers can engage in hot pursuits.

Since 2004, at least nine people have died in accidents arising out of incidents in which drivers fled police.

A committee of police officers is expected Wednesday to recommend to commanders that the police-pursuit policy place limits on chases for misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations.

Under the current policy, officers can chase drivers for traffic violations and other Class C misdemeanors until it is "apparent that the violator will do whatever is necessary to evade the officer."

First Assistant Chief David Brown said no final decisions have been reached on what, if any, changes are going to be made.

"We have to make sure officers continue to work hard, and catching crooks is part of working hard," he said. "But the risk of injury to officers and the risk of injury to citizens is problematic."

Police Chief David Kunkle ordered a review of the Dallas policy after a fatal August 2004 chase. In that case, a man fleeing in a stolen vehicle ran a red light, striking and killing another motorist.

That year, Dallas police were involved in 361 vehicle pursuits, with 116 beginning as traffic violations.

At least three people were killed in accidents arising out of the chases, according to news accounts.

Last year, police said, the number of chases dropped to about 355.

News accounts show that last year, at least six people died in accidents arising out of incidents in which drivers fled police. So far this year, no one has died, and there have been about 90 pursuits.

One of those who died in 2005 was Guillermo Mendoza of Mesquite. He was headed to an aunt's house to drop off money to send to his mother in Mexico when a man fleeing police struck his vehicle. The man was wanted on outstanding drug warrants.

"They should have found another way to stop this guy if they know that people could get hurt," said his brother, Jaime Mendoza. "That's why they have helicopters."

Since the early '90s, major cities have restricted police chases so that only those suspected of violent felonies are chased.

Atlanta requires meeting at least one of three requirements, including that the violator be armed or pose an immediate threat of violence. Phoenix doesn't allow chases of traffic violators, those suspected of nonviolent felonies or auto theft.

A change in the policy in Dallas is likely to meet stiff opposition from police associations and the rank and file.

Any potential changes are "going to be a big morale issue," Chief Brown said.

Lt. Rick Andrews, head of the Dallas Police Executive Lodge, which represents higher-ranking officers, said he recognizes the need for a balancing act, but he fears that changing the Dallas policy will encourage criminal behavior.

"As soon as the word hits the street, the bad guys won't stop for us," he said.

"Sure, there's been tragedies where the suspect has run a light and hit an innocent bystander," he said. "If that had happened to somebody in my family, I would be mad. But I wouldn't be mad at the police, I'd be mad at the bad guy."

[TexasStooge]

Two hurt in Denton County helicopter crash

DENTON COUNTY, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) — A small helicopter on a training flight crashed in a field west of Denton about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The two people on board were airlifted to hospitals for treatment after the crash.

The rotors of the Schweizer 269C helicopter were twisted and the fuselage appeared to be bent or broken away from the cockpit in aerial pictures from the scene, off U.S. 380 west of Highway 156.

The helicopter is registered to Longhorn Helicopters, based at Denton Municipal Airport.

Tandy Whitehead, one of the owners of the company, told News 8 that pilot Dale Williamson was flying with a student when the helicopter went down. Whitehead said neither person was seriously injured.

The name of the student was not available.

Helicopters with a similar design have been in production since the mid-1960s.

[TexasStooge]

In Dallas, John Edwards talks of fight against poverty

By KIM HORNER / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - Former U.S. senator and vice presidential candidate John Edwards urged a Dallas crowd Tuesday to help fight what he called the “great moral issue” facing the nation.

Mr. Edwards, who spoke at Central Dallas Ministries’ prayer breakfast, said 37 million Americans live in poverty without adequate food, housing and healthcare. He added that Hurricane Katrina exposed the problem to the world when thousands of people lacked the means to evacuate the Gulf Coast.

Mr. Edwards, now director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at University of North Carolina School of Law, said there’s a void in “moral leadership” in America to address the issue.

“Is the most prosperous nation on Earth going to actually turn its back on 37 million of its own people who are worried about feeding and clothing their children?” said Mr. Edwards, who said he was considering another run for political office.

The former senator also was scheduled to attend Dallas fund-raisers on Tuesday: one for the Dallas County Young Democrats at the Gypsy Tea Room and another for the Dallas County Democratic Party at Gilley’s.

[TexasStooge]

Jurors in Irving officer's trial see in-car video

By ROBERT THARP / The Dallas Morning News

IRVING, Texas - Jurors in the assault trial of a former Irving police officer watched the officer’s in-car video of the incident Tuesday as prosecutors continued building their case that the officer used unnecessary force during a January 2005 traffic stop.

The video taken from a camera mounted on the officer’s patrol car shows former Officer Dan Miller spraying the man with pepper spray and repeatedly yelling at him alternately to “stop” and “get down on the ground.” Mr. Miller also yells several times, “I’m going to shoot you,” at an apparently uncomprehending Jose Palomino.

Mr. Palomino is squatting on the wet road and not resisting when a backup officer arrives. At that point in the video, Mr. Miller uses his metal baton and strikes Mr. Palomino on the legs and thighs, causing Mr. Palomino to roll over onto the ground.

Moments later, Mr. Miller strikes Mr. Palomino again with the baton as he is being handcuffed.

Mr. Palomino, a 43-year-old undocumented Mexican immigrant described by investigators as having a low I.Q., does not speak or understand English.

Irving Police detective Randall Johnson testified that he reviewed the tape and could not find any indication that Mr. Palomino was resisting the officer or making threatening gestures.

Mr. Palomino was arrested and jailed for driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest, even though a breath and urine analysis did not find any evidence of alcohol in his system, according to court files.

Mr. Miller initially told investigators that he felt threatened because Mr. Palomino was walking toward him with clinched fists and would charge him. Detective Johnson testified that his review of the video did not support that.

Mr. Miller can be heard clearly on the tape repeatedly shouting commands in English. After enhancing the audio on the tape, investigators found that Mr. Miller said at least once, “Manos aqui,” indicating that he was trying to tell Mr. Palomino to raise his hands.

Detective Johnson said using pepper spray on someone is an acceptable use of force to gain compliance from an unresponsive person, but that he would not have used the spray against Mr. Palomino based on what he saw in the video.

Detective Johnson acknowledged that Mr. Miller had reason to be cautious because Mr. Palomino had stopped his car on train tracks, was slow to get out of his car, was not responding to commands and at times put his hands behind his back.

“In my opinion, I would not have sprayed Mr. Palomino,” he said, adding that he would have tried to gain his compliance through further oral commands before escalating his use of force to pepper spray. Mr. Palomino on Monday testified through a translator that he had been driving home from church when he was stopped by the officer. He said he could not understand the officer’s commands but was not resisting.

Mr. Miller’s attorney, Bob Baskett, said his client was following the department’s use-of-force guidelines. He said his client will testify in the trial and offer a different account of the incident.

Mr. Miller, a 28-year department veteran, faces up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000 if convicted of the misdemeanor assault charge. He was fired after the incident but has filed an appeal to the termination.

[TexasStooge]

Suspect sought after dog tortured, burned

By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - A female dog rescuers saved after she was found tortured and burned was named Mercy after they said somebody showed her none.

Investigators in Dallas are looking a suspect in the crime and said they hope someone will come forward with a tip through the 311 hotline number.

"Her ears were burned almost to be unrecognizable," said Dr. Katherine Wells, veterinary surgeon. "So, we've taken [them] off. We've amputated the tips of her ears and we've taken off all the unhealthy skin."

Mercy arrived at Operation Kindness, a no-kill shelter, with 60 percent of her body burned. A vet said she believes someone used a flammable liquid.

"...It looked like something had been thrown against her and drizzled down," said Sandra Laird, Operation Kindness.

Two men found Mercy bleeding in the woods under a tree behind the Rock Creek Apartments in North Dallas. While investigators said they think the burns occurred Thursday, they said they don't know who or why the person did it.

One challenge authorities face is sorting out all the accounts. They said one person called Operation Kindness to say they saw someone trying to stab the dog. Another person called saying they saw someone chasing the dog with a can of gasoline, and almost no one left a number.

Meanwhile, Mercy is far from out of the woods. The veterinary surgeon said the pain is intense and the threat of infection is constant.

But through it all, Dr. Wells said the pit bull mix has been nothing but gentle.

She's been very, very tolerant of all we've had to do for her," she said. "She has a very strong will to live. I hope she lives."

[TexasStooge]

State OKs new D/FW reservoirs

AUSTIN, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) — The Texas Water Development Board on Tuesday approved a long-range regional plan that includes building two new reservoirs in northeast Texas and pumping the water hundreds of miles to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The 5-1 vote came over the objections of some landowners, business owners and environmentalists who argue the reservoirs would flood and condemn hundreds of thousands of acres. The vote does not guarantee the building of the reservoirs, which is likely several years away.

"The real fight will come when they actually try to build one of these reservoirs," said Janice Bezanson of the environmental group Texas Committee on Natural Resources. "We lost today's skirmish."

The regional water plans are designed to help the state meet the water needs of the next 50 years when the population could nearly double to more than 40 million.

The plan to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth area includes the construction of the $2.1 billion Marvin Nichols Dam on the Sulphur River and the $569 million Fastrill Dam on the Neches River.

The Marvin Nichols Dam has sparked the most controversy. It is in the strategic plan for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but water planners in northeast Texas—where it would be built—say they don't want it.

The dam would flood about 72,000 acres and was initially agreed to by northeast Texas planners. It was later rejected when residents and businesses learned they could lose hundreds of thousands of additional acres to mitigate the flood zone as required by the federal Clean Water Act.

Ralph Heath, president of Fort Worth-based defense contractor Lockheed Martin Co., said the plan with the reservoirs is needed to ensure the Dallas-Fort Worth economy won't suffer because of a lack of water.

Heath said his company is one of the largest water users in Fort Worth but has taken steps to conserve water and would continue to do so.

"No issue is more fundamental for economic prosperity" in the future, Heath said.

Environmentalists argued the Dallas-Fort Worth plan could secure as much water as needed with more conservation and better use of existing resources.

Although the reservoir plans were approved Tuesday, opponents vowed to keep fighting them through the permitting and construction process, which could take years.

State officials predict Texas will have to spend billions to refurbish existing water sources and transfer systems, or build new ones. The state was divided into 16 regions to tackle water issues facing different areas of the state.

[TexasStooge]

2 Houston students cut by glass after shot fired at bus

HOUSTON, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) – Two students suffered minor cuts from glass fragments after someone shot at a Houston school bus as students were being taken home Tuesday, school district officials said.

The Houston school district bus was carrying about 30 students from Johnston Middle School and Westbury High School when it was shot at about 4:45 p.m. as it traveled in south Houston.

The bus driver pulled over the vehicle at a nearby middle school.

The two students cut by glass fragments from a broken window were checked out by medical personnel as a precaution.

Parents were notified and picked up many of the students. The remaining students were taken on another school bus.

School district police as well as Houston police officers were investigating the shooting. No information was immediately available on a possible motive or what kind of weapon was used.

Adriana Villareal, a spokeswoman for the district, said she believes only one shot hit the bus. She doesn't know if other shots were fired.

[TexasStooge]

Missing infant found

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Dallas police confirmed a missing 10-month-old baby, who had been missing for more than 33 hours, was found safe with a 16-year-old boy Tuesday night in the 1700 block of East 8th Street in Oak Cliff.

Investigators said Frank Wynn had been babysitting for Zyheem Jackson Sunday night and spent the night at the child's apartment. But the infant's mother, Angel Neal, said when she awoke from a nap around 2 p.m. Monday, Frank and her baby were gone.

Neal called the incident an "emotional rollercoaster."

Around 5 p.m. Tuesday, Neal went through a false alarm after mistaken identity led police to believe they had found the teenager at a DART bus stop.

Police said an alert DART police officer spotted the baby about 9:30 p.m. with Frank Wynn at a DART rail station. The teenager was placed in police custody, facing one count of kidnapping and an outstanding warrant for criminal tresspass.

Police said the infant was taken to Children's Medical Center for a routine evaluation.

Child Protective Services will then have custody of Zyheem until they determine the child's future, police said.

[TexasStooge]

McKinney toddler dies in family pool

MCKINNEY, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A toddler fell into his family's swimming pool and apparently drowned Tuesday evening.

McKinney police said two-year-old Osvaldo Torrez Jr. apparently escaped the attention of his mother, who was caring for two other children, and slipped into the backyard of their home in the 2200 block of Oleander Way around 6:15 p.m.

Mayela Torrez told investigators she noticed the patio door was open and then saw Osvaldo floating in the pool.

Paramedics treated the child at the scene, but he was pronounced dead at Medical Center of McKinney about an hour later.

The Collin County Medical Examiner's office and McKinney police were reviewing the circumstances of the boy's death.

[TexasStooge]

Man arrested, jailed in death of 2-year old girl

Dallas: Cause under investigation; doctor notes multiple injuries

By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas – For at least the third time in two months, a local baby sitter has been arrested in connection with the death of a child he or she was caring for.

On Tuesday, Dallas police arrested Jared Malik Shakur and charged him with injury to a child. He was baby-sitting a 2-year-old girl – identified by Child Protective Services as Xanyiah Modester – in the 3700 block of Rosemeade Parkway in Far North Dallas.

Police said Mr. Shakur, 21, drove Xanyiah to an Albertsons store near Frankford Road and the Dallas North Tollway, where Xanyiah's mother works.

Paramedics and police were summoned to the store about 7:30 a.m. The girl was rushed to Plano Presbyterian Hospital, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

"Her cause of death is under investigation by the Collin County medical examiner, but doctors did note that the child had multiple blunt-force injuries," Dallas police Senior Cpl. Max Geron said.

CPS spokeswoman Marissa Gonzales said Mr. Shakur is the boyfriend of Xanyiah's mother. The agency is investigating the girl's death, she said.

"The question is, was the family's supervision adequate? Was there any indication this man was violent?" she said. "We're trying to determine if there were any warning signs."

Xanyiah's 5-year-old sister was probably at school during the offense and is now staying with relatives, Ms. Gonzales said.

Mr. Shakur was being held at Lew Sterrett Justice Center on Tuesday night. If the Collin County medical examiner's office determines the baby's death was a homicide, the charge against him could be upgraded.

On Feb. 24, two children died after suffering injuries while in others' care. Mesquite baby sitter Tiffany Harper was arrested on suspicion of capital murder in the death of 21-month-old Rowyn Clark, who was injured Feb. 23.

In Irving, 7-month-old Jaidyn Silva died Feb. 24 while in the care of Isaiah Nunez. Mr. Nunez was the boyfriend of Jaidyn's baby sitter, who had turned the child over to him to watch. Mr. Nunez was charged with capital murder.

[TexasStooge]

Man dies in Fort Worth house fire

By DEBRA DENNIS / The Dallas Morning News

FORT WORTH, Texas — A 19-year-old man was killed in an early Wednesday morning house fire in west Fort Worth.

The man, whose name has not been released, died at a home in the 3800 block of Kenwood Avenue, said Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Lt. Kent Worley.

The man was a guest at the home. Two teens who lived at the home, ages 18 and 16, escaped without injury, Lt. Worley said.

The one-alarm fire started around 7:45 a.m., Lt. Worley said.

The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office is assisting investigators and will rule on the cause of death.

[TexasStooge]

Three houses burn in Dallas fire

By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Dallas Fire-Rescue investigators were trying to determine what sparked a three-alarm fire that destroyed one house and damaged two others early Wednesday.

The fire started in a vacant house in the 5000 block of Bryan Street, engulfing the two-story wood frame structure in flames that leaped far above the roofline.

A woman who was inside the house jumped to safety from a second floor window. She was hospitalized with broken bones and other injuries.

The woman said a second person may have been inside the burning building, but no other victim was found.

The fire spread to two adjoining occupied homes across from Garrett Park. The American Red Cross was providing assistance to those families.

An excavation team was called in after daybreak to help firefighters reach remaining hot spots and to search for clues to the origin of the fire.

[TexasStooge]

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DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - All southbound lanes of Interstate 35E near the Dallas Zoo have been shut down after a truck spilled its load on the highway.

Real-time Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic Reports from Traffic Pulse

[TexasStooge]

School buses collide in Dallas Mixmaster

GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Two Garland school district buses filled with 120 kindergarten students collided in the downtown Dallas Mixmaster Wednesday afternoon.

One student suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital by a parent. One of the bus drivers was also slightly hurt in the wreck.

Police helped the remaining students exit from the rear emergency door of one of the disabled buses. They continued their journey back home on a replacement bus.

A Garland ISD spokesperson said a minivan cut off one of the buses on northbound Interstate 35E as the students were returning from a field trip to the Dallas Zoo.

The buses collided in a chain reaction accident; the minivan failed to stop.

Traffic on northbound I-35E was backed up across the Trinity River bridge while the students and vehicles were removed.

WFAA-TV reporter Don Wall contributed to this report.