Tag: Americas

Dave Dempsey retired after decades in the police force, but he couldn’t stay out for long. He returned to law enforcement as a deputy sheriff, a decision that would change his life and his body forever.

Source: True Crime Daily

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (TCN) — A 45-year-old man is in custody after he was allegedly caught putting a newborn in a gas station dumpster after his underage girlfriend gave birth to his child.

On Jan. 27 at 9:07 a.m., the Memphis Police Department received a call about suspicious activity on Teakrock Lane and soon learned about a juvenile who had just given birth. She was reportedly en route to the hospital when she had the child, and the man she was with, James Boothe, allegedly placed the child in a dumpster. Officers responded to a business on East Shelby Drive and located the child, who was deceased.

Police arrested Boothe the next day on a charge of abuse of a corpse.

WREG-TV reports the man who owns the business where the child was found said he noticed Boothe on security footage throwing something into the large trash receptacle. He told WREG, “I go jump in the garbage and took the bag out and hand it over to the fire department. They look at it and there is a body inside.”

Boothe was reportedly in a relationship with the 16-year-old girl who gave birth. According to WREG, she admitted to police that they had been together for three years.

Shelby County Jail records show Boothe is being held on $250,000 bond.

MORE:

• Homicide Arrest – Memphis Police Department
• Man accused of putting infant in dumpster appears in court – WREG
• Shelby County Jail inmate information

Source: True Crime Daily

Ashley Elkins, a mother of two, told her family she was going to a beauty supply store to buy items for her salon, but sadly, she never returned. Her loved ones have been working tirelessly to uncover the truth. Investigators say her phone’s location last showed her at her ex’s home, but she has yet to be found. Where is Ashley, and what happened to her?

Source: True Crime Daily

In this episode of True Crime News The Sidebar Podcast: Joshua Ritter breaks down the biggest cases making headlines across the nation. He discusses evidence issues that could tank the prosecution’s case against Kouri Richins for the fatal fentanyl poisoning of her husband, Monica Sementilli’s trial for the love triangle murder of celebrity hairstylist Fabio Sementilli, and defense attorneys for Bryan Kohberger seeking to suppress DNA evidence in the University of Idaho slayings.

YouTube: Celebrity stylist killed in fatal love triangle; Bryan Kohberger seeks to suppress DNA – TCN Sidebar

Source: True Crime Daily

​NEKOOSA, Wis. (TCN) — A 26-year-old man stands accused of beating his father to death several years ago and telling police that the victim fell and spilled chili on the wall.

According to the Nekoosa Police Department, on July 22, 2021, an officer responded to a report of an unresponsive male, later identified as 58-year-old Thomas Tourtillott. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but the victim was pronounced deceased.

A criminal complaint reviewed by the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune says the officer made contact with the victim’s son, Jason Tourtillott, at the scene. He reportedly pointed to the wall, which had a red mark on it that he claimed was chili.

As first responders performed CPR on the victim, a detective allegedly noticed trauma to Thomas Tourtillott’s head, face, and neck, as well as lacerations above his eyes and early signs of bruising. According to the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, EMTs also observed injuries on the victim, including a swollen eye, bruising and bleeding on the back of the head, and blood on his hands, and a rug burn on his arm.

Jason Tourtillott initially told authorities he was asleep in the living room and awoke to his father on the floor, thinking he was drunk. Jason Tourtillott allegedly said he went to check on Thomas Tourtillott and performed CPR on him. A detective purportedly saw blood on Jason Tourtillott’s shoulder, arm, hands, neck, and face, which he said was from performing CPR. However, the detective reportedly said in the complaint that Jason Tourtillott would have been physically exhausted and sweating after performing CPR for 30 minutes like he said he did. The victim also didn’t have any broken ribs or marks consistent with CPR.

Jason Tourtillott’s sister reportedly arrived at the home while officers were there and said her brother had called her several times before she left. He also sent a text message, but the sister allegedly said she believed her brother had been drinking, so she didn’t respond.

On July 22, 2021, police interviewed Jason Tourtillott, and he said again that he was sleeping and discovered his father on the floor, the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune reports. He reportedly said his dad would often fall when he consumed alcohol, which could have caused the injury to his head. According to the complaint, police asked Tourtillott about the scratches to his arms and legs, and he claimed they were caused by a cat.

When asked about his phone activity during the time he said he was sleeping, Tourtillott reportedly claimed he was using his phone “here and there.” Tourtillott allegedly said he made chili for lunch, but his father walked toward the couch, fell, and spilled the chili.

According to the criminal complaint, police interviewed Tourtillott’s sister on Jan. 10, 2022. She reportedly said her brother had been caring for her son on the day of the victim’s death, and she arrived at around 6:30 p.m. The sister allegedly saw Thomas Tourtillott on the floor, which she claimed was unusual. She also reportedly noticed the chili on the wall but didn’t notice the victim’s injuries and believed he was breathing. The sister allegedly told authorities Tourtillott and his father had been yelling at each other, and her brother seemed angry.

According to the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, Tourtillot’s nephew told a detective he also heard Tourtillott and his father arguing, as well as slapping noises.

The deputy coroner later determined the victim died of blunt force trauma injuries to his head with bilateral rib fractures and contusions to his head, torso, and extremities. The injuries were not consistent with a fall, and investigators reportedly believe he was struck with something due to the bruising on his face. The victim also sustained possible defensive wounds to his forearm and elbow.

Police arrested Tourtillott on Jan. 28 on a charge of first-degree murder. He remains held in the Wood County Jail on $1 million bond.

MORE:

• Media Release – Nekoosa Police Department
• A Nekoosa man is charged with killing his father. Court records provide more details. – Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

Source: True Crime Daily

Fabio Sementilli was a beloved hairstylist in Hollywood whose clients included several A-list stars. His life got cut short when he was stabbed in his home, leaving his teen daughter to find his bloody body. Now, his wife is on trial for allegedly orchestrating the killing so she could cash out on his insurance policy.

Source: True Crime Daily

Jon and Doris Worrell seemed like the perfect Georgia family. They even let homeless Paola Yarberry stay with them, and she ultimately became a permanent fixture in their family. Jon and Doris’ world started to crumble amid an affair between Jon and Paola. Then, Doris ended up dead. What secrets did Jon and Paola hide?

Source: True Crime Daily

Ashley Elkins, a mother of two, told her family she was going to a beauty supply store to buy items for her salon, but sadly, she never returned. Her loved ones have been working tirelessly to uncover the truth. Investigators say her phone’s location last showed her at her ex’s home, but she has yet to be found. Where is Ashley, and what happened to her?

Source: True Crime Daily

LOGANVILLE, Ga. (TCN) — Police arrested a 19-year-old medical worker after she reportedly posted a video to social media that showed her dancing on top of a disabled person who was sitting down.

According to a statement, on Jan. 23, the Loganville Police Department learned about a viral video going around online “depicting a female dancing in a provocative manner above a disabled person, who was seated in a chair.” Investigators identified the woman in the video as Lucrecia Koiyam and arrested her on a felony charge of exploitation of a disabled person.

WXIA-TV reports Koiyam is a medical worker and was wearing her scrubs while she recorded the video, which she allegedly took at her apartment. Someone who saw the video on TikTok reported it to the Loganville Police Department, and they began an investigation.

Loganville Police Chief M.D. Lowry told USA Today, “I was appalled and disgusted that anyone would create such a video featuring a disabled person. As police officers, our highest duty is to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and my detectives worked as swiftly as possible to bring charges in this incident.”

Koiyam also allegedly recorded another video of herself dancing over a person sitting in a bathtub, and police are working to determine where exactly she filmed it.

Koiyam posted $7,500 bond from the Walton County Jail on Jan. 29.

MORE:

• Press Release – Loganville Police Department
• Viral video lands Georgia caregiver in legal hot water for allegedly exploiting disabled patient – WXIA
• ‘Disgusted’: Healthcare worker charged after video shows her dancing over disabled patient – USA Today

Source: True Crime Daily

SISSONVILLE, W.Va. (TCN) — A couple faces a total of over three centuries behind bars combined for forcing their adopted children to perform labor and locking them in a shed.

The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced Jan. 29 that 63-year-old Jeanne Whitefeather and 65-year-old Donald Lantz were convicted of human trafficking, civil rights, and child abuse charges. They are scheduled to be sentenced in March, and Whitefeather faces a maximum of 215 years, while Lantz faces a maximum of 140 years in state prison.

On Oct. 2, 2023, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 200 block of Cheyenne Lane, where they forced entry into a barn and reportedly located a male and a female juvenile locked in a 20-by-14-foot room without running water or a proper bathroom. They also reportedly didn’t have access to adequate hygienic care or food.

The caller who requested a welfare check at the address believed the victims were locked in the shed for days at a time, WCHS-TV reports. The children were reportedly wearing dirty clothes and smelled of body odor. Authorities allegedly observed a single table and chair but no beds. Deputies reportedly said the shed’s floor was made of concrete, and there were plywood walls with a camera placed in a corner.

According to The Associated Press, a deputy used a crowbar to get the children out. Inside the main house, officials reportedly located a 9-year-old girl alone crying in a loft without any protection from falling. Lantz allegedly returned to the residence with a fourth child, and deputies were led to a fifth juvenile. The Associated Press reports that the oldest boy wasn’t wearing shoes and had apparent sores on his feet. The children were turned over to Child Protective Services following the couple’s arrest.

Neighbors reportedly testified in court that Lantz forced the kids to stand in line and perform difficult yard tasks such as lifting heavy items. Lantz allegedly mainly kept the children inside after he noticed the neighbors.

The couple’s oldest daughter, who is now 18 years old, said in court that some of the victims were ordered to dig using their hands, The Associated Press reports. The daughter reportedly testified that the children ate peanut butter sandwiches at scheduled times, and some of them had to stand in their rooms for hours at a time and keep their hands on their heads. The girl allegedly shared a room with a male child, and they used the same bucket as a toilet.

According to The Associated Press, Lantz argued in court that he and Whitefeather assigned chores to the children to teach them about responsibility. Whitehead allegedly said the shed was a “teenager hangout,” and they had a key and were able to leave whenever they wanted.

Detectives allegedly found the key to the shed on a cabinet out of sight, and the children didn’t know where it was. Prosecutors believe the couple wasn’t trying to teach their adopted kids about responsibility, but they were trying to hold power over them.

According to The Associated Press, prosecutors found racist text messages from Whitefeather. The oldest daughter reportedly said Whitefeather used racist language, and the adopted children, who are Black, were cursed at “all the time.”

The girl testified Whitefeather wouldn’t eat off the same plates the children used, and she referred to the victims as “dirty.”

Whitefeather’s attorney, Mark Plants, said, “These are farm people that do farm chores. It wasn’t about race. It wasn’t about forced labor.”

Whitefeather’s attorney also argued the eldest boy had tried to run away from home, so the couple kept the lock on the shed so he wouldn’t try to escape again.

The defense claimed the couple struggled because the children suffered from mental health issues, abuse, and trauma from their biological home, and Lantz’s attorney said the state’s child welfare agency “dropped the ball the most in this case.” However, prosecutors said the couple never tried to get help for the eldest boy, who is now receiving psychiatric care, The Associated Press reports.

A forensic psychologist testified that the children’s conditions worsened because of the couple’s actions.

According to The Associated Press, the defendants adopted the five siblings when they lived in Minnesota. They reportedly moved to a farm in Washington in 2018 before settling in West Virginia in May 2023.

MORE:

• News Release – Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• W.Va. couple arrested after allegedly locking adopted children in barn for days at a time, 10/3/2023 – TCN
• West Virginia couple convicted of forced labor, human trafficking of adopted kids – Associated Press
• Two people charged after children found locked in Sissonville barn, deputies say, 10/3/2023 – WCHS

Source: True Crime Daily