Springs mom gets 30 years in baby's scalding death
January 20, 2012 11:30 AM
LANCE BENZEL
THE GAZETTE
On a March day last year, Estella Toleafoa ducked out of her apartment, went across the street and made two quick stops – buying cigarettes at a gas station and chicken wings at a restaurant next door.
Roughly 20 minutes later, she returned to find her infant son lying dead in a bathtub — the victim of a horrific drowning in scalding-hot water.
On Friday, 4th Judicial District Judge G. David Miller sentenced Toleafoa, an Iraq War veteran, to 30 years in prison after she pleaded guilty in October to child abuse causing death — a break from the first-degree murder charge she initially faced.
Toleafoa, 23, claimed she left Erich Tyler Jr. and his 2-year-old half-brother Jamari Toleafoa in about an inch of water and returned to find the tub half-full.
Jamari, who was uninjured, was placed with one of Toleafoa’s relatives in California.
At the time, the boy’s father, Fort Carson soldier Erich Tyler Sr., was serving in Afghanistan and was flown home from combat.
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Saturday, January 21, 2012
Break in Soldier Spc. Brandy Fonteneaux Murder Case
Break in Soldier's Murder Case
Only on FOX
Updated: Friday, 20 Jan 2012
NED HIBBERD
Reporter
HOUSTON - The family of a Houston soldier, murdered in her own barracks at Fort Carson, tells FOX 26 News there has been a break in the case.
US Army Spc. Brandy Fonteneaux was found dead on January 8, her body covered in blood.
“She was stabbed, she was nude, she was not raped,” says Fonteneaux’s adoptive mother, Beven Thomas. “(Investigators) believe that the clothing was taken to preserve DNA.”
In an exclusive interview, Thomas and her sister, Verona Fonteneaux – who is Brandy’s biological mother – tell FOX 26 they know who killed the 28-year old woman who called both of them, “Mom.”
And they also provided a name. But Army investigators have been very stingy with information on this case. They did not return repeated phone calls, Friday evening.
read more here
Only on FOX
Updated: Friday, 20 Jan 2012
NED HIBBERD
Reporter
HOUSTON - The family of a Houston soldier, murdered in her own barracks at Fort Carson, tells FOX 26 News there has been a break in the case.
US Army Spc. Brandy Fonteneaux was found dead on January 8, her body covered in blood.
“She was stabbed, she was nude, she was not raped,” says Fonteneaux’s adoptive mother, Beven Thomas. “(Investigators) believe that the clothing was taken to preserve DNA.”
In an exclusive interview, Thomas and her sister, Verona Fonteneaux – who is Brandy’s biological mother – tell FOX 26 they know who killed the 28-year old woman who called both of them, “Mom.”
And they also provided a name. But Army investigators have been very stingy with information on this case. They did not return repeated phone calls, Friday evening.
read more here
Jail Won't Stop Homeless Vet From Completing His Mission
Jail Won't Stop Homeless Vet From Completing His Mission
Roy Gleiter Is Determined To Finish His Nationwide Protest Trek
Jail won’t stop Roy Gleiter from completing his mission. That’s what the homeless veteran told 11 News as he was released from the Pueblo County jail Thursday night.
Posted: 12:07 AM Jan 20, 2012
Reporter: Kendra Potter
Roy Gleiter was let go after spending a night behind bars for refusing to leave public property. He says being locked up won’t stop him from finishing his nationwide protest trek.
The 53-year-old has spent over five years pulling a trailer across the country protesting the decline of American society.
Gleiter says being put behind bars only makes him more determined and motivated to finish his mission to change America.
“I met a lot of the people I’m fighting for, and I got to hear people in-depth on how they have a hope for this nation. The people that are considered the bottom dredge. And they love this country just as much as everybody else,” said Gleiter.
Gleiter was released from jail without having to pay his $750 bond. He promised to show up to his next court hearing and to stay in a local homeless shelter until that appearance.
Gleiter was arrested Wednesday for refusing to leave public land along a local highway where he made camp for over six months.
Posada will arrange a Pueblo homeless shelter for Gleiter to stay in. Posada officials tell 11 News Gleiter was offered shelter many times. Not only were a number of organizations offering shelter, but because he is a veteran, he was eligible for housing.
read more here
Roy Gleiter Is Determined To Finish His Nationwide Protest Trek
Jail won’t stop Roy Gleiter from completing his mission. That’s what the homeless veteran told 11 News as he was released from the Pueblo County jail Thursday night.
Posted: 12:07 AM Jan 20, 2012
Reporter: Kendra Potter
Roy Gleiter was let go after spending a night behind bars for refusing to leave public property. He says being locked up won’t stop him from finishing his nationwide protest trek.
The 53-year-old has spent over five years pulling a trailer across the country protesting the decline of American society.
Gleiter says being put behind bars only makes him more determined and motivated to finish his mission to change America.
“I met a lot of the people I’m fighting for, and I got to hear people in-depth on how they have a hope for this nation. The people that are considered the bottom dredge. And they love this country just as much as everybody else,” said Gleiter.
Gleiter was released from jail without having to pay his $750 bond. He promised to show up to his next court hearing and to stay in a local homeless shelter until that appearance.
Gleiter was arrested Wednesday for refusing to leave public land along a local highway where he made camp for over six months.
Posada will arrange a Pueblo homeless shelter for Gleiter to stay in. Posada officials tell 11 News Gleiter was offered shelter many times. Not only were a number of organizations offering shelter, but because he is a veteran, he was eligible for housing.
read more here
Afghanistan Veteran's first call as firefighter lieutenant was to his own house
Community rallies to help veteran left homeless by fire
By Judy Simpson
Jericho, Vermont - January 20, 2012
The sign in front of Clark's Truck Center in Jericho says it all: asking for donations for a family whose home was destroyed by a fire Jan. 14. The home is owned by Travis and Becky Hale and their five children. All made it out safely. In an ironic twist, Travis is a member of the Underhill Jericho Fire Department. And so is Randy Clark, who owns the truck center.
"To have a fire at one of your own people's houses-- it's tough. Wish I did not do this, but anyway, so that is what we are doing, we are raising money for Travis and Becky. They are great people and trying to help them," Clark said.
Just days before the fire, Travis was elected as an officer for the volunteer department.
"Yeah, like I told a few people Tuesday night I was elected as a lieutenant, and Saturday I went to my first call at my own house. So definitely not what you expect when you join the fire department," Travis said.
His main concern was that his fellow firefighters were not injured battling a fire at his house.
read more here
By Judy Simpson
Jericho, Vermont - January 20, 2012
The sign in front of Clark's Truck Center in Jericho says it all: asking for donations for a family whose home was destroyed by a fire Jan. 14. The home is owned by Travis and Becky Hale and their five children. All made it out safely. In an ironic twist, Travis is a member of the Underhill Jericho Fire Department. And so is Randy Clark, who owns the truck center.
"To have a fire at one of your own people's houses-- it's tough. Wish I did not do this, but anyway, so that is what we are doing, we are raising money for Travis and Becky. They are great people and trying to help them," Clark said.
Just days before the fire, Travis was elected as an officer for the volunteer department.
"Yeah, like I told a few people Tuesday night I was elected as a lieutenant, and Saturday I went to my first call at my own house. So definitely not what you expect when you join the fire department," Travis said.
His main concern was that his fellow firefighters were not injured battling a fire at his house.
read more here
VA drop in clinics are good for veterans and communities
Drop-In Clinic Through the Eyes of a Hero It Helped
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 20, 2012
"Still wallowing in my depression and PTSD, not knowing where to turn," she said sitting inside the Veterans Hospital at Fort Roots in North Little Rock. "You don't want to be close to your family at times, you don't trust yourself."
Across town, a counselor stands in a room of about a dozen veterans.
"How do we go about staying focused? How do we keep our self-esteem up?" she asks them.
Barbara Minyard served the better part of a decade in the armed services. After her discharge the small cramped space where this counselor stands was the safe haven that offered Minyard an escape from the anxiety and depression of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"Without the help I've received through the VA, I think I'd still be there," Minyard said. "I would still be in a pretty bad situation. I wouldn't have a home, because of the state of mind I was in."
Many veterans suffer from psychological torments, like PTSD and depression, once they leave the military. Finding help isn't always easy, but the drop-in clinic on Second and Ringo Streets is a place they can turn when they hit bottom.
"You're still wanting to depend on yourself, you're embarrassed. There's too much pride, so you hide and that makes it even worse," Minyard said.
For years, the drop-in center has been helping homeless veterans with temporary housing, counseling, career training, and therapy.
read more here
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: January 20, 2012
"Still wallowing in my depression and PTSD, not knowing where to turn," she said sitting inside the Veterans Hospital at Fort Roots in North Little Rock. "You don't want to be close to your family at times, you don't trust yourself."
Across town, a counselor stands in a room of about a dozen veterans.
"How do we go about staying focused? How do we keep our self-esteem up?" she asks them.
Barbara Minyard served the better part of a decade in the armed services. After her discharge the small cramped space where this counselor stands was the safe haven that offered Minyard an escape from the anxiety and depression of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"Without the help I've received through the VA, I think I'd still be there," Minyard said. "I would still be in a pretty bad situation. I wouldn't have a home, because of the state of mind I was in."
Many veterans suffer from psychological torments, like PTSD and depression, once they leave the military. Finding help isn't always easy, but the drop-in clinic on Second and Ringo Streets is a place they can turn when they hit bottom.
"You're still wanting to depend on yourself, you're embarrassed. There's too much pride, so you hide and that makes it even worse," Minyard said.
For years, the drop-in center has been helping homeless veterans with temporary housing, counseling, career training, and therapy.
read more here
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