WEATHER ALERT
AI Companion ‘Aimee Says’ provides advice, support, and comfort for Domestic Violence Survivors
Read full article: AI Companion ‘Aimee Says’ provides advice, support, and comfort for Domestic Violence SurvivorsSince its launch in January, it’s been helping around 10,000 people each month, including several hundred here in the Houston area.
Houston Area Women’s Center expands services, shelter capacity amid rising demand for domestic violence support
Read full article: Houston Area Women’s Center expands services, shelter capacity amid rising demand for domestic violence supportThe Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC) is expanding its services and shelter capacity to meet the rising demand for domestic violence support, as highlighted during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Houston father faces capital murder charges for abuse that killed his twin babies
Read full article: Houston father faces capital murder charges for abuse that killed his twin babiesFernando Vega, a 21-year-old Houston man, faces two counts of capital murder for the deaths of his twin infants, who suffered blunt force trauma and long-term abuse.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg discusses challenges, priorities in Domestic Violence cases
Read full article: Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg discusses challenges, priorities in Domestic Violence casesOgg says her office has worked closely with law enforcement to prioritize high-risk offenders, particularly those who engage in strangulation or use weapons.
From Call to Conviction: How Houston PD handles Domestic Violence Investigations
Read full article: From Call to Conviction: How Houston PD handles Domestic Violence InvestigationsLT. Kollean Himes, from HPD’s Major Assaults Family Violence Division, explained how these sensitive situations are treated with empathy and thoroughness, starting from the first 911 call.
Houston man, woman accused of severely abusing 5-month old baby to death
Read full article: Houston man, woman accused of severely abusing 5-month old baby to deathA Houston woman, Jasmine Marie Ellison, and a man, Glenn Wayne Smith, have been arrested and charged with causing serious bodily injury to a child following the death of a five-month-old infant from severe abuse.
Disturbing details emerge in Houston twins’ death ruled homicide, parents charged
Read full article: Disturbing details emerge in Houston twins’ death ruled homicide, parents chargedCourt records claimed the parents assaulted the infants with and against a blunt object, neglected to ensure their safety and supervision, failed to provide necessary medical attention, and nourishment, and used a deadly weapon during the incident.
Cruelty for clicks: Cambodia is investigating YouTubers' abuse of monkeys at the Angkor UNESCO site
Read full article: Cruelty for clicks: Cambodia is investigating YouTubers' abuse of monkeys at the Angkor UNESCO siteCambodian authorities are investigating the abuse of monkeys at the famous Angkor UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cy-Fair ISD 5th grader with special needs says teacher abused him multiple times
Read full article: Cy-Fair ISD 5th grader with special needs says teacher abused him multiple timesVideo appears to show a Cy-Fair ISD elementary school instructor pushing a 10-year-old special needs student out of his chair onto the ground.
Trafficker sentenced to 35 years for forcing 15-year-old Houston girl into prostitution; woman sought for helping him
Read full article: Trafficker sentenced to 35 years for forcing 15-year-old Houston girl into prostitution; woman sought for helping himA habitual offender and sex trafficker from Houston was sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted of forcing a 15-year-old girl into prostitution in 2019, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Wednesday.
Have you seen him? $5K reward for man accused of sexually abusing child for years
Read full article: Have you seen him? $5K reward for man accused of sexually abusing child for yearsCrime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a fugitive who is wanted for sexually abusing a child.
Is someone you love in an abusive relationship? Here are some safe ways to help them get out
Read full article: Is someone you love in an abusive relationship? Here are some safe ways to help them get outDid you know that about one in four women and nearly one in 10 men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime?
Man sought by Houston police accused of physically abusing, injuring child
Read full article: Man sought by Houston police accused of physically abusing, injuring childCrime Stoppers and the Houston Police Department’s Special Victims Division are asking the public for help locating a fugitive who is accused of physically abusing a child and injuring them.
Rio Grande Valley school employee accused of making plans to meet minor in Houston caught in undercover operation
Read full article: Rio Grande Valley school employee accused of making plans to meet minor in Houston caught in undercover operationAn athletic coach with the Lasara Independent School District has been arrested for trying to meet up with a Harris County Precinct 1 deputy posing as a teen in Houston, the department announced Thursday.
Pasadena man who plead guilty to beating 2-year-old to death in 2019 sentenced to 50 years in prison
Read full article: Pasadena man who plead guilty to beating 2-year-old to death in 2019 sentenced to 50 years in prisonA man accused of injuring his girlfriend’s child, which authorities said led to the child’s death three years ago, was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Wednesday.
Repeat-offender sentenced to 40 years for raping 6-year-old girl; admitted to impregnating 12-year-old
Read full article: Repeat-offender sentenced to 40 years for raping 6-year-old girl; admitted to impregnating 12-year-oldA repeat-offender child molester has been sentenced to a 40-year prison sentence for repeatedly raping a 6-year-old girl, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Tuesday.
Jasper County little league coach convicted for sexually assaulting several players
Read full article: Jasper County little league coach convicted for sexually assaulting several playersA little league coach has pleaded guilty to federal child exploitation charges in the Eastern District of Texas, the United States Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Woman escapes captivity from filthy Tomball home; authorities find 4 tortoises, 3 Bullmastiffs, dead dog inside
Read full article: Woman escapes captivity from filthy Tomball home; authorities find 4 tortoises, 3 Bullmastiffs, dead dog insideA woman escaped a home in Tomball Friday after she was reportedly held against her will, Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen’s Office said.
Repeat child sex offender convicted of abusing 7-year-old in 1993 sentenced to 42 years for child porn
Read full article: Repeat child sex offender convicted of abusing 7-year-old in 1993 sentenced to 42 years for child pornA repeat child sex offender from Willis who was convicted of abusing a 7-year-old in the past was sentenced to 42 years in prison for child pornography Wednesday, Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said.
‘Sir Freakalot Fresh’ sentenced to 40 years for torturing girlfriend, forcing her to sign over title to Mercedes: DA
Read full article: ‘Sir Freakalot Fresh’ sentenced to 40 years for torturing girlfriend, forcing her to sign over title to Mercedes: DAA Houston man who held a woman captive in a house while beating and torturing her until she gave him money and signed over the title to her Mercedes-Benz has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Wednesday.
‘Completely defenseless’: Caregiver in Brazoria Co. accused of starving, severely beating 51-year-old with Down Syndrome
Read full article: ‘Completely defenseless’: Caregiver in Brazoria Co. accused of starving, severely beating 51-year-old with Down SyndromeStarved and severely abused. It’s what one Brazoria County woman said happened to her 51-year-old brother who has Down Syndrome, and it all allegedly happened at the hands of the man who was supposed to be taking care of him.
Mother says man body-slammed, punched and kicked her 5-year-old son during crawfish boil in League City
Read full article: Mother says man body-slammed, punched and kicked her 5-year-old son during crawfish boil in League CityA 5-year-old boy’s mother is speaking out after she said her son was body-slammed, kicked and punched by a grown man.
‘Breaking Free’ phone bank: Call with your questions
Read full article: ‘Breaking Free’ phone bank: Call with your questionsThis week, the entire KPRC 2 team is working on ‘Breaking Free’ to help domestic and partner abuse survivors. Our goal is to provide resources, support and solutions to help people in our community. We have a panel of experts ready right now to answer your questions. You can call 713-778-8920 to talk with a domestic violence expert.
Breaking Free: Domestic violence in the LGBTQ community
Read full article: Breaking Free: Domestic violence in the LGBTQ communityDomestic violence has no boundaries or barriers. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation; but much of the domestic violence awareness movement focuses on solely heterosexual relationships. Members of the LGBTQ community say they do not feel seen or heard.
‘Breaking Free’: What you need for planning your escape
Read full article: ‘Breaking Free’: What you need for planning your escapeMany times if you or a loved one is planning to get out of a dangerous relationship, there are financial and legal aspects you need to know about. Learn more about what someone needs to do to prepare legal and other documents before an escape.
‘I was screaming and nobody was helping me’: 2 students say they were bitten, hit with tennis racket by Kashmere High School gym teacher
Read full article: ‘I was screaming and nobody was helping me’: 2 students say they were bitten, hit with tennis racket by Kashmere High School gym teacherTwo students from Kashmere High School say their gym teacher not only hit one of them in the head with a tennis racket but also back-slapped and bit them.
Breaking Free: Officials seeing increase in domestic violence among senior couples
Read full article: Breaking Free: Officials seeing increase in domestic violence among senior couplesIntimate partner violence involving couples in their golden years is something that even law enforcement doesn’t expect when they arrive to domestic violence emergencies.
26 emaciated animals found living in filthy south Houston home filled with feces, urine, roaches, rescuers say
Read full article: 26 emaciated animals found living in filthy south Houston home filled with feces, urine, roaches, rescuers sayMore than two dozen innocent animals are receiving the care they so desperately need after being rescued from a filthy, insect-ridden home in south Houston.
Cult leader accused of having wives as young as 9, possibly marrying his own daughter: FBI
Read full article: Cult leader accused of having wives as young as 9, possibly marrying his own daughter: FBIA 46-year-old alleged polygamist and cult leader in Arizona is accused of having 20 wives, many of whom were underage, and possibly marrying his own daughter, officials with the Federal Bureau of Investigations announced.
Disabled man dies from injuries after subjected to torturous ‘holistic’ procedures by mother, stepfather, Hitchcock police say
Read full article: Disabled man dies from injuries after subjected to torturous ‘holistic’ procedures by mother, stepfather, Hitchcock police sayA disabled man, who was subjected to brutal abuse at the hands of his own family members who were practicing home remedies on him, has died, according to the Hitchcock Police Department.
Maryland probe finds 158 abusive priests, over 600 victims
Read full article: Maryland probe finds 158 abusive priests, over 600 victimsAn investigation by Maryland’s attorney general has identified 158 Roman Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Baltimore accused of sexually and physically abusing more than 600 victims over the past 80 years.
Houston Area Women’s Center, city officials highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Read full article: Houston Area Women’s Center, city officials highlight Domestic Violence Awareness MonthThe Houston Area Women’s Center will be joining several city officials for a press conference in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Bond set at $100K for 2 Texas City nursing home employees caught on camera abusing 87-year-old resident, police say
Read full article: Bond set at $100K for 2 Texas City nursing home employees caught on camera abusing 87-year-old resident, police sayCharges have been filed against two nursing home employees who were caught on camera beating and dragging an 87-year-old resident, according to officials with the Texas City Police Department.
CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Elderly man allegedly abused by Texas City nursing home employees
Read full article: CAUGHT ON VIDEO: Elderly man allegedly abused by Texas City nursing home employeesThe family of an 87-year-old man who was beaten by Texas City nursing home employees is calling for them to be arrested and charged.
KPRC 2 Investigates: Child Protective Services investigating claims of boy with autism harmed at school
Read full article: KPRC 2 Investigates: Child Protective Services investigating claims of boy with autism harmed at schoolOn a warm, summer night in El Campo, Shacondra Greely reads a story to her 12-year-old son Reagan.
Former Aldine ISD teacher, teacher’s aide accused of abusing 2 children with autism, court docs say
Read full article: Former Aldine ISD teacher, teacher’s aide accused of abusing 2 children with autism, court docs sayA teacher and teacher’s aide who are accused of abusing two children with autism have been charged, court documents said.
Houston Area Women’s Center offers 24/7 hotline for women, families in dangerous situations
Read full article: Houston Area Women’s Center offers 24/7 hotline for women, families in dangerous situationsEach month, the KPRC2 community along with our partners at Energy Transfer come together to spotlight those who make a big impact in our community.
‘They abused her’: Family demands answers after 98-year-old woman found with bruised face at Afton Oaks Rehabilitation Center
Read full article: ‘They abused her’: Family demands answers after 98-year-old woman found with bruised face at Afton Oaks Rehabilitation CenterThe family of Ramona Rodriquez was in tears describing the injuries they say their elderly loved one suffered at the Afton Oaks Rehabilitation Center.
Parents allege school staff sexually, physically assaulted son with autism at charter school in Katy
Read full article: Parents allege school staff sexually, physically assaulted son with autism at charter school in KatyParents said school staff at a charter school in Katy sexually and physically assaulted their son, who has autism.
Mother claims her autistic son was abused at Jefferson Elementary School
Read full article: Mother claims her autistic son was abused at Jefferson Elementary SchoolHOUSTON – A young mother from Houston’s Fifth Ward is angry and concerned for her children and others after she says she witnessed a teacher at Jefferson Elementary School physically abusing her 5-year-old autistic son just as she arrived to pick him up for school. Worst of all, she said it appeared her son was having trouble breathing. “It was as if he was gasping for air, it was as if he was having trouble breathing,” Renee said. Houston Independent School District released the following written statement:“Allegations of improper handling of a student have been made against a staff member at Jefferson Elementary School. Please know that HISD places great value on our students, and their safety and well-being are of the utmost importance.”
Police searching for man accused of continuous sexual abuse of a child
Read full article: Police searching for man accused of continuous sexual abuse of a childHOUSTON – Authorities are asking for the public’s help finding a man who is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a child. He was subsequently charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $5,000 for any information leading to Garcia’s location and arrest. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477), or online at Crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. Only tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.
Southeast Texas LINK Coalition addresses overlap between domestic violence, animal cruelty
Read full article: Southeast Texas LINK Coalition addresses overlap between domestic violence, animal crueltyHOUSTON – In response to the rise in domestic and animal violence cases, local agencies are partnering to form the Southeast Texas Link Coalition to combat the abuse. The Southeast Texas LINK Coalition aims to bring together agencies from across Southeast Texas to build a cohesive network that combats both animal violence and human violence. “By launching the southeast Texas Link coalition we hope to prevent, combat, and educate the public on the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty,” said Dr. Malone. A representative of the coalition said since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been an increase in domestic violence cases. Animal abuse cases are expected to go up as well.
Here’s what to do if you think someone is a victim of domestic violence
Read full article: Here’s what to do if you think someone is a victim of domestic violenceHOUSTON – Domestic violence is on the rise nationally and both our local police and hospitals are noticing the surge. This week, officers were shot while responding to a domestic violence call, where Sgt. “We know what happens all too often in these domestic violence situations when a woman has had enough and that abusive husband ends up committing murder,” Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said. Fisher said risk factors for domestic violence are social and financial stress. The U.S. Department of Justice is trying to relieve this problem with a plan to provide $160 million for victim assistance.