Michael Barnes Accused of Sexual Abuse

A former Catholic priest from North Carolina has been accused of sexually abusing a child in Ocean City more than 30 years ago.

Ocean City police say 64-year-old Michael Barnes of Haywood, N.C., has been arrested in his home state and is being held there. Police say they got a complaint about the abuse this spring and that the incidents took place between 1977 and 1982.

A Baltimore County man in his 40s filed a lawsuit against Barnes in Delaware in June. David Lorenz, a spokesman for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says the criminal charges relate to the same alleged victim.

Lorenz says Barnes abused the victim during trips to Ocean City and beaches in Delaware. He says he believes there are other victims.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore says Barnes was the associate pastor of an Essex parish during the time of the alleged abuse and that he left the priesthood in 1988.

Pit Bull Chews Off Baby's Toes

Sheriff's deputies are charging a North Carolina couple with felony child abuse after a pit bull dog chewed the toes off a 4-month old baby's foot.

The Onslow County Sheriff's Office said Monday that the 1-year-old pit bull chewed off all the toes on the child's left foot while he was on a couch Sunday night.

Deputies say the child's mother, Robie Lynn Jenkins, and her boyfriend, Tremayne Spillman, were dog-sitting for a man arrested Saturday night for illegal possession of a gun.

Authorities say they are charging a North Carolina woman who slept as a pit bull chewed the toes off her 4-month-old baby's left foot.

The Onslow County Sheriff's Office said Monday that the child's mother, Robie Lynn Jenkins, and her boyfriend, Tremayne Spillman, will be charged with felony child abuse.

Deputies say the couple were dog-sitting the 1-year-old pit bull for a friend who had been arrested on gun charges.

The Onslow County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that the baby, who lost the toes on the left foot after the dog chewed them off Sunday night, won't be released from Pitt Memorial Hospital any time soon.

The sheriff's office said the pit bull is in animal control custody undergoing medical tests for several diseases, including rabies.

Jenkins told police she was on medication and didn't hear the child crying during the night while she slept in the same room. She said she didn't discover the injury until she changed the child's diaper Monday morning.

Deputies said that hospital officials said the child may lose his foot.

G.L. Sizemore Charged with Rape of Child

A man accused of multiple sex crimes against a family member goes on trial this week.

G.L. Sizemore, 49, of Kings Mountain, has been charged with two counts of indecent liberties of a child, first-degree rape of a child, first-degree sex offense of a child, and failure to appear on those charges. His last known address is Farris Road.

Sizemore is accused of committing sex crimes while he lived in the home where the victim also lived, according to court testimony. Prosecutors said the sexual abuse lasted more than five years.

Several potential jurors were candid Monday when asked by prosecutors and the defense if they knew of or experi-enced any form of sexual abuse. More than 10 people said that they had either experienced abuse or knew of a family member who had.

Many were dismissed. It took several hours for the eight-man, four-female jury to be chosen.

Opening statements

Prosecutor Elizabeth Lari began her opening statement by saying the case, “has been a family secret for a long time.”

Lari told jurors Sizemore began touching the accuser when she was a child and went on to say the touching esca-lated to fondling and eventually intercourse. The alleged abuse began at age 5 and ended at age 12, according to Lari.

“It happened a number of times throughout the years,” Lari said.

Lifelong memory

Tears rolled down the accuser’s face as Lari told jurors she will testify on Tuesday.

“I hope she will give you the full picture,” Lari said. “This is a lifelong memory that she has repressed and will now recall in a room full of strangers.”

According to court testimony, the victim came forward to authorities in July 2003 to give a full, detailed account of what happened those years of her childhood.

Two sides of a coin

Sizemore’s attorney, Mike Griffin, said there was a period of time when everything went well between the parties.

But things quickly changed between 2001 and 2003, when the accuser came forward.

“There are two sides to every coin and two sides to every story,” Griffin said.

Wesley Paul Canipe Arrested for Drowning Child

Neighbors held a candlelight vigil Friday night outside the apartment were Lilly Willover, 2, lived and died.

Police said Wesley Paul Canipe, 20, intentionally drowned his girlfriend's child Thursday night. Canipe is charged with murder and child abuse.

Shelby police said they were called to an apartment on Eaves Road shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday when Canipe reported that he found the child he was caring for unresponsive in the bathtub. Canipe is the boyfriend of the child’s mother and was watching Lilly Willover while her mother was at work.

Neighbor Laura Hamrick, who is trained nurse and mother, said Canipe came to her for help. She fought back emotion as she spoke.

“Absolutely heartbroken. That was the most beautiful baby,” she said.

She said she thought of Lilly as an adopted granddaughter.

“(Canipe) banged on my door and said it was Lilly and said she wasn't breathing,” she said.

Hamrick tried to revive the girl until Shelby police arrived, and they tried CPR, too.

Another neighbor, Sherry Pressley, recalled seeing an officer run out the door of the apartment carrying Willover in his arms.

“The officer, he was crying and saying, ‘I tried. I really tried. I couldn’t do anything, but I tried,’” she said.

Pressley said everyone was devastated, except Canipe.

“He wasn’t upset. He wasn’t crying. He didn’t even come out to the ambulance to see if the baby was OK,” she said.

Rescue crews rushed Willover to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Neighborhood children have placed teddy bears in front of the door of the apartment in memory of Willover. Those who knew her said she was friendly and full of joy.

One neighbor brought a note for her mother and used a tiny angel pin to clip it to a stuffed animal.

“Remember your precious, sweet girl forever,” she said, reading it aloud.

Officers said that while Canipe reported Willover was taking a bath and he was not in the room when she drowned, they found through further investigation that Canipe was responsible for her death.

Arrest warrants for Canipe said officers found bruises on the child’s face.

Police said Canipe has been cooperative with them but they won’t say what he told them or elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Willover’s death other than to say she was killed.

Canipe is being held in the Cleveland County Jail. Prosecutors said if convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Anyone with further information for police is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 704-481-TIPS or the Shelby Police Department at 704-484-6845.

A fund has been set up to help Willover’s family pay for funeral expenses.

Money can be donated to Lilly Rae Willover and family in care of Marshall Bradley at the Wachovia at 231 South Washington Avenue in Shelby.

Joshua Close Charged with Having Sex with Minor

The Florence County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man they say had sex with a minor.

28-year-old Joshua Close is charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 16 and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Arrest warrant say Close picked up the girl, took her to a local motel where he gave her marijuana, before persuading her to have sex with him.

Police say it happened on or around August 3rd.

Leslie Denise Nichols Charged with Sexual Abusing 9-year-old

A North Carolina-based civilian family readiness officer faces charges of sexually abusing a 9-year-old.

Leslie Denise Nichols, an employee with Marine Corps Community Services at Camp Lejeune, was arrested July 29 and charged with first-degree sex offense, five counts of indecent liberties with a minor, and five counts of child abuse by sexual act, according to warrants filed in the Onslow County, N.C., courthouse.

Nichols, 39, is the FRO of 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, according to an outgoing message on 2nd ANGLICO’s family readiness officer voice mail.

The alleged sexual abuse occurred between June 29 and July 29, according to the warrants. Nichols is in the Onslow County jail under a $300,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 20.

Matthew Ryan Cummings Charged with Rape of 11-year-old

Authorities charged a Camp Lejeune Marine late Tuesday with having sex with an intoxicated preteen girl last year while the girl’s mother slept in another room.

Matthew Ryan Cummings, 20, of Barracks FC372 aboard base, was charged by the Onslow County Sheriff’s Department with first-degree statutory rape, first-degree statutory sexual offense, indecent liberties with a child, and crimes against nature.

Sheriff’s Sgt. John Getty was asked by a local mental facility to interview an 11-year-old girl beginning July 13. Getty discovered the child was having suicidal tendencies. Getty’s investigation revealed that the girl had been statutorily raped in late November 2008, according to a press release from the Sheriff’s Department.

“The statutory rape and other sex acts were performed on the 11-year-old child in her own home while the child’s mother slept in another bedroom of the home,” Sheriff Ed Brown said. “(Cummings) obtained beer from the refrigerator of the victim’s home where he and the victim both consumed the beer and became intoxicated.”

The girl’s family moved to Onslow County in November 2008 and the Cummings befriended the girl during the times the mother had left her with a neighbor across the street, according to Getty’s investigation.

The mother reported her concern for Cummings behavior toward her daughter to the Sheriff’s Department in February, according to incident reports on file at the Sheriff’s Department.

Cummings was interviewed at that time and was strongly advised to have no further contact with the girl.

“However the statutory rape had already occurred approximately four months before the mother came to the Sheriff’s Office in February 2009,” Brown said.

Cummings was arrested at Building 66 aboard Camp Lejeune by the Sheriff’s Department. His bond was set at $200,000 and he has a court appearance scheduled for today.

His rank and deployment history were not immediately available from base officials.

Timothy John DesJareins Arrested for Child Porn

Cumberland County detectives have charged a Spring Lake man with possessing videos and photographs of children engaged in sex acts.

Timothy John DesJareins, 44, of the 2500 block of Brinkley Drive, was arrested Friday at his home, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.

He was charged with five counts each of second-degree and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Bail is set at $100,000.

Investigators became suspicious of DesJareins around July 3 after a person found a computer thumb drive in his driveway. The thumb drive contained images of children being forced to have sex with adults, according to a release from the Sheriff's Office

Police arrested 44-year-old Timothy John DesJareins at his home on Friday.

Deputies said they began investigating DesJareins earlier this month when someone found a computer thumb drive in his driveway.

Officials said on it were photos and videos of children being forced to have sex with adults.
DesJareins is charged with five counts of second degree sexual exploitation of a minor and five counts of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Investigators said additional charges against DesJareins are expected.

DesJareins is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $100,000 bond. He is due in court on Monday.
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Christopher West Sentenced to 16 years for Sexual Assault

A Harmony man will serve at least 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a young girl.

Christopher West, 29, was sentenced in Iredell County Superior Court after pleading guilty to one count of rape of a child and first-degree sexual offense.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering and one county of larceny.

West received a sentence of 16 to 20 years on the rape and sex offense charge and one of the breaking and entering cases, according to court records.

On the remaining charges, he received a sentence of 10 to 12 months.

West was arrested a year ago following an investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff's Office Special Victim's Unit.

Detective Sgt. Bill Hamby said the girl, who is now 7, is related to West.

Last year, the girl told a neighbor that West had been sexually assaulting her since she was 4 years old.

The neighbor reported the girl's allegations, and an investigation was begun by the SVU, Hamby said.

The girl was interviewed, as was West, who denied the allegations, Hamby said.

The next day, when authorities arrived to arrest West, he confessed to the crimes, Hamby said.

Cheryl Alston Charged with Shaking Baby

A day care operator who spent much of her life tending babies now faces a charge that she shook one so violently that he'll never recover.

Cheryl Alston, 53, was arrested last week, more than two months after Chris Lear found his son limp in Alston's arms at her home day care on the outskirts of Chapel Hill.

Every moment since, 7-month-old Lucas has struggled to live, spending much of his first summer strapped to tubes and machines at the neonatal unit of UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. His brain had swelled so dramatically that doctors had to drill a hole in his skull to relieve pressure, said John McCabe, an attorney for the family.

The Lears have sued Alston, saying she put him in jeopardy and has now rendered him impaired for life.

Alston had earned the state's highest rating for an at-home day care. In the wake of Lucas' injuries, the state Division of Child Development stripped Alston of her license. On Monday, a judge in Orange County ordered her to stay away from children.

On Tuesday, plastic Easy-Bake ovens and baby dolls were scattered about her porch, dormant and warm in the summer's sun. Alston sobbed as a reporter asked her what happened. She declined to comment until she spoke with her attorney.

A screaming call to 911

According to a state investigation, Alston told a state official that she changed Lucas' diaper, then put him in a car seat so she could wash her hands. When she returned, the child was unresponsive.

Alston told state investigators that she shouted his name and snatched him out of the car seat. His head fell back as she tried to press him against her shoulder, she said.

Chris Lear, Lucas' father, walked into the house about this time, according to the state report and McCabe. He had arrived early to fetch his son, having finished his last class to complete his master's in business at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Lear spotted his son in the crook of Alston's arm, McCabe said. Alston was screaming, according to the report, as she talked with a 911 dispatcher. Suddenly, one of Lucas' legs and an arm shook, then his body stiffened, the report said.

Lucas spent the next five weeks at UNC Hospitals. He has struggled to see. He continues to take medicine for seizures. It's too soon to know whether Lucas will walk and talk like normal boys or whether he'll struggle in school.

The Lears are now planning to move back to New Jersey to be near family who will help take care of Lucas.

"Their whole life has been turned upside down," McCabe said.

Another investigation

Alston, too, told state investigators that she has been devastated by Lucas' injury. Closing the day care robbed Alston of her only income, according to the report.

Alston told investigators "that she would not hurt a child because that would not look right in the eyes of God."

This is not the first time social workers investigated whether Alston took proper care of children at her center, which had been licensed by the state since 2003.

In April 2008, state investigators questioned Alston about another child in her care who was injured. The child's guardian suspected that Alston had not been watching the child carefully enough and another child in her care might have fallen on him.

Investigators couldn't determine whether the child was hurt in Alston's care or at home. They closed the case.

No bad marks appeared on Alston's record by late 2008 when the Lears began shopping for a day care provider.

Heather Koontz Bennet Arrested for Child Abuse

The Harnett County Sheriff's Office has charged a Bunnlevel woman for allegedly abusing her 4-month-old baby and a Broadway man for the alleged sexual assault of a Fayetteville woman.

Heather Koontz Bennet, 23, of Thompson Road in Bunnlevel was charged with child abuse inflicting serious physical injury.

The arrest report said the charges stem from an incident that occurred on Oct. 28, 2008, in which the child sustained head injuries and was taken to Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn.

Ms. Bennet was held under $20,000 bond.

Terrance Tompson Wanted for Child Abuse

Durham police investigators are trying to locate a man wanted on a felony child abuse charge.

Terrance Rayon Thompson, 25, and Tameika Sade Richardson, 23, both of 4001 Meriwether Drive are both charged with felony child abuse in a case involving a 5-month-old girl. The infant suffered a fractured arm in April 2009 and was treated at Duke University Hospital.

Richardson was arrested Tuesday and placed in Durham County Jail under a $30,000 bond.

Anyone with information on Thompson's whereabouts is asked to call Investigator Tuck at 560-4440, ext. 29340 or CrimeStoppers at 683-1200. CrimeStoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to arrests in felony cases and callers never have to identify themselves.

Police look into alleged sexual assault of child at youth center

The Kinston Department of Public Safety is investigating claims that a 7-year-old girl was grabbed and sexually assaulted by an older male while she was in a female bathroom at the Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday afternoon.

Lenoir County Boys and Girls Club director Robert Rogers declined comment due to the police investigation.

Maj. Greg Thompson said the girl’s mother took her to the hospital later that night, spurring hospital officials to notify police. The child was taken to TEDI Bear Children’s Advocacy Center in Greenville, where she is undergoing physical and mental examinations to determine the validity of the claims.

“It’s a pretty long process,” Thompson said. “She was not physically injured, but when you’re dealing with a small child like that, local officials will not examine.

“They have to be sent to (Greenville).”

Police have no suspects in the case, but are looking for a thin black male between the ages of 13 and 20, according to information obtained from the girl.

Individuals with information regarding this case should call the KDPS at (252) 939-3220.

Antonio Glenwood Byrd Trial for Murdering 2-year-old Begins

The state is set to begin its case today in Lillington against a man accused of murdering a 2-year-old Anderson Creek girl.

Antonio Glenwood Byrd, 26, also of Anderson Creek, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the July 2007 death of Miracle McLean.

Mr. Byrd, the boyfriend of Miracle's mother Sheteka McDougald, was charged after he took the unresponsive child to the Anderson Creek Fire Station saying she had drowned.

An autopsy later showed the child had suffered blunt force trauma to the head and abdomen. The autopsy linked the child's death to the latter injuries saying she had bled to death internally.

The autopsy also said the child was also recovering from a fractured right shoulder at the time of her death.

Mr. Byrd was offered a plea deal in May, but turned down the 114-month active sentence.

Mr. Byrd's attorney, Tony Buzzard, said both Mr. Byrd and his girlfriend were at work the night of the incident and said Miracle and her 3-year-old sister were in the care of a family member when the child's injuries occurred.

Assistant District Attorneys Davis Weddle and Teresa Postel are handling the prosecution of the case. Wake County Superior Court Judge Ripley Rand is presiding.

Ricky Blackwell Arrested for Killing 8-year-old

A man put an 8-year-old girl in a headlock Wednesday and shot her to death, then shot himself in the stomach, authorities said.

The girl’s father is dating Ricky Lee Blackwell’s estranged wife. Spartanburg County deputies said Blackwell shot the girl twice in the driveway of a home where he had taken her and his estranged wife to swim and play. The home is in Chesnee, about 60 miles southwest of Charlotte, N.C.

Several adults and children saw the shooting and pointed officers toward Blackwell, investigators said.

Blackwell shot himself as police closed in. He was taken to a hospital but his condition wasn’t released.

The coroner’s office identified the girl as Heather Brooke Center of Woodruff.

Investigators said they weren’t sure of Blackwell’s motive.

“I don’t know where you can go in the mind to justify shooting a child,” said Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright. “I don’t understand how you can get so angry.”

The sheriff said Blackwell, 50, has a long criminal record. He was charged with murder and kidnapping. No one answered his phone Wednesday night.

“As soon as they called his name, I knew him,” Wright said. “I’d heard that boy’s name before.”

Devin Sylvester Arrested for Breaking Newborns Leg

Lexington, NC

The sheriff says a 24-year-old was arrested after his newborn was taken to the hospital for a broken leg.

Davidson County Sheriff's deputies arrested 24-year-old Devin Sylvester after receiving a report of child abuse from social services.

Sylvester's 45-day-old child was taken to Baptist Hospital with a fracture to the left thigh. The hospital reported the injury didn't appear to be accidental.

He is charged with Felony Child Abuse.

Sylvester was originally placed under a $5,000 bond but the first appearance judge increased the bond to $100,000.

Datrick Simmons Arrested for Statutory Rape

Halifax County sheriff's deputies arrested a convicted sex offender Thursday for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

Datrick Simmons, 30, of Roanoke Rapids, faces one charge of statutory rape.

He was being held in the Halifax County Jail under a $75,000 bond Friday. His first court date was set for July 15.

According to state Department of Correction records, Simmons has a 10-year-old conviction for taking indecent liberties with a minor in 1997.