Bond Set For Sisters Charged With Murder In Fire Deaths
November 9, 2011
The mothers of three children who died in a house fire last week in Atmore were in court Tuesday afternoon where a judge set their bond at $300,000 each.
Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, both 18, were arrested Monday for three counts of reckless murder of 3-year olds Aniyia Abner and Takia Abner, and 22-month old Michael Coleman. The women face up to life in prison on each count if convicted.
A State Fire Marshal’s investigation determined the fire on 1st Street last Wednesday night was caused by an unattended stove. Authorities say the mothers had left the children home alone while they were elsewhere in the neighborhood.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” according to the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney’s Office.
Two of the children were found dead in a hallway while the third was found in a bedroom. And prosecutors said that a mattress was blocking the living room door.
Forensics evidence determined that three young children died from smoke inhalation, authorities said.
Funeral services for the children will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1712 M.L. King Avenue in Atmore. The Rev. Dr. Harold Askew will be officiating.
For earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire Wednesday night, click here and click here.
Pictured below: The aftermath a fire November 2 in Atmore that claimed the lives of three young children. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf Athletes Honored
November 9, 2011
Several Northview High students were honored during a recent Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet for their participation in volleyball, cross country and golf.
Northview Chiefs honored were:
Escambia Paramedic Gets Probation For Faked Shooting
November 9, 2011
An Escambia County paramedic who faked his own shooting has pleaded no contest to the charges against him.
On January 28, Escambia County deputies responded to the 1100 block of W. Hayes Street and found that Richie had been shot in the shoulder. Richie told deputies that he was retrieving an item from a bag located inside his ambulance when someone tapped him on the back. As he turned around he was shot. Two weeks later, he admitted that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.
He was sentenced to three years probation for fraud and filing a false report. He will also be responsible for court costs and will undergo mental health counseling.
Pictured top: An Escambia County EMS medic claimed to be shot January 28 on Hayes Street in Pensacola. Photo courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Poarch Man Pleads Guilty In Child Sex Abuse Case
November 9, 2011
An Escambia County, Ala., man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges that he sexually abused three young boys.
Dustin O. Raybon of Poarch entered the plea, ending his ongoing trial for sexual contact with a child younger than 12. The boys, which were Raybon’s relatives, were reportedly abused in 2003 on the Poarch Creek Indian Reservation near Atmore.
Raybon’s plea came under an agreement with prosecutors to recommend a light sentence of less than three years and registration as sex offender for the abuse of a 3-year old. Another boy, now 13, testified that he was sexually abused by Raybon when he was 5 or 6. Another male victim, age 8, testified that Raybon engaged him in oral sex in April 2011.
Video: Bratt Meth Lab Cleanup
November 9, 2011
Video shows a hazardous materials team from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response unit neutralize “one pot” meth labs and associated chemicals about 2 a.m. Wednesday in Bratt.
For the complete story, click here.
If you do not see the video above, it is because your home, school or work firewall is blocking external videos.
Atmore Motorcyclist Injured In Cantonment Traffic Crash
November 8, 2011
An Atmore motorcyclist was seriously injured when he collided with a SUV and a pickup Tuesday afternoon in Cantonment.
The Florida Highway Patrol says 22-year Joshua T. Daniel was northbound on Highway 29 near Tate School Road about 3:30 p.m. on a Yamaha motorcycle when he struck the rear of a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 40-year old Rebecca Mills of Cantonment and the muffler of a Chevrolet Silverado driven 17-year old Joshua Ingram.
According to the FHP, Mills slowed at a traffic light when Ingram veered to the left to avoid her SUV. Daniel unsuccessfully tried to avoid a collision by veering to the left. Daniel was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Mills, Ingram and a passenger in Ingram’s pickup – 16-year old Victoria Ingram — were not injured.
Daniel was cited for careless driving, according to the FHP.
The Cantonment Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the incident
Pictured: One person was injured in this accident involving a SUV and motorcycle at Highway 29 and Tate School Road Tuesday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Mothers Arrested For Murder In Fire Deaths Of 3 Kids; Funeral Services Announced
November 8, 2011
The mothers of three children killed in an Atmore house fire last week were arrested Monday for murder.
The twin sisters, Akeevia Lajoseia Abner and Tekeevia Lajoseialan Abner, both 18, were arrested Monday for three counts of the reckless murder of 3-year old Aniyia Abner, 3-year old Takia Abner and 22-month old Michael Coleman. The arrest followed an investigation by the Alabama State Fire Marshal, Atmore Fire Department and the Atmore Police Department.
“They showed an extreme indifference to these children’s lives and created a grave risk of death to the children by leaving them home alone on November 2, 2011,” according to a press release from Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney Steve Billy.
They perished in a fire which was apparently caused from leaving a stove unattended, according to a preliminary fire marshal report.
They were taken into custody by the State Fire Marshal and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center Monday without bond, pending a bond hearing.
Funeral services for the children will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 1712 M.L. King Avenue in Atmore. The Rev. Dr. Harold Askew will be officiating.
For earlier stories about the fire, including photos from the aftermath of the fire Wednesday night, click here and click here.
Pictured below: This photo shows the oven door propped open inside the kitchen of a home were three children died in a house fire Wednesday night.
McDonald Named Molino Park Elementary Teacher Of Year
November 8, 2011
Twinette McDonald has been named Teacher of the Year at Molino Park Elementary School. She is the school’s music educator.
Pictured: Teacher of Year Twinette McDonald leads students recently at Molino Park Elementary School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Monday Night Fire Destroys Bluff Springs Road Home
November 8, 2011
Fire destroyed a small single family home in the Bluff Springs community Monday night.
The home on Bluff Springs Road just east of Highway 29 was fully involved when the first fighters arrived on scene about 9:45 p.m. Authorities said a family had recently rented the home and and had the power turned on in the past few days.
There were no injuries. The cause of the blaze remains investigation by the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office.
The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Flomaton Fire Department, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fire.
Pictured: Fire destroyed this home on Bluff Springs Road Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
West Florida Wins District 1-5A Title In 3-Way Shootout
November 8, 2011
The West Florida Jaguars emerged from a 3-way shootout Monday night as District 1-5A champions.
West Florida, Panama City Arnold and Gulf Breeze were all 3-1 in the district headed into the showdown on the Jag’s home turf at Woodham Middle School.
In the first 12-minute quarter, Gulf Breeze beat Arnold 3-0.
In the second 12-minute game for the district title, West Florida beat Gulf Breeze 7-0. Things were off to a rough start for the Dolphins, as they fumbled the ball away on their very first possession of the night. West Florida drove all the way down to the Dolphin one before missing a field goal attempt.
The Jaguars scored with 1:06 to go in the game with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Faxlanger to Lawrence Lee.
On November 18, the West Florida Jaguars will host Tallahassee Godby in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.
The Jaguars will host the 1A Northview Chiefs in a regular season ending game Thursday at 7 p.m. at Woodham Middle School.