Prosecutor declines criminal charges against former Patrick County administrator
A special prosecutor has declined to pursue criminal charges against former Patrick County Administrator Beth Simms following allegations that she violated Virginia election laws. Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Branscom, appointed to review the case, determined the evidence did not support prosecution. The complaint alleged Simms improperly voted in Patrick County while living in Franklin County. Simms resigned in November after a closed session of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors.
A deputy in Clark County, Washington, saved a 2-year-old boy who was alone in a car on a 92-degree day. (Clark County Sheriff’s Department)
(CLARK COUNTY, Wash.) — Heart-stopping video has been released showing the moment a deputy in Clark County, Washington, saved a 2-year-old boy who was left alone in a hot car on a 92-degree day.
Witnesses called 911 in May to report the child in a parked car, and the witnesses tried to create shade around the car as they waited for responders, the Clark County Sheriff’s Department said on Wednesday.
Deputy Ben Hulsey arrived at the scene to find the 2-year-old strapped in his car seat, “sweating heavily, with his head tilted to the side and not responding,” the sheriff’s department said. The car had a small crack in the back window, authorities said.
Hulsey broke a window to rescue the little boy, who was checked by medics, authorities said.
Investigators determined the boy was left alone for about 16 minutes, the sheriff’s department said. When deputies found his parents, they had been inside a nearby grocery store for almost 30 minutes, authorities said.
The parents are facing reckless endangerment charges, the department said.
“Never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. Not even for a few minutes,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement Wednesday. “If you see a child or pet left alone in a vehicle and believe they’re in distress, don’t hesitate to call 911. That’s exactly what these community members did.”
At least seven children have died in hot cars so far this year in the U.S., according to national nonprofit KidsAndCars.org. Last year, at least 37 children died in hot cars across the country, KidsAndCars.org said.
Click here for what to know to keep your children safe.
Virginia Lieutenant Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) speaks during a news conference on June 4, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced plans to take down a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) –Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax fatally shot his wife, Cerina, in their home before taking his own life, police said Thursday.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis told reporters that there was an “ongoing domestic dispute surrounding a complicated, messy divorce.”
Police responded to a domestic call at the couple’s Annandale, Virginia, home in January, Davis said, but no charges were filed from that incident. The couple were separated but still living together inside the house, according to Davis.
“Former Lt Gov Fairfax was recently served some paperwork associated with an upcoming court proceeding that apparently led to this incident last night,” he said.
Davis said that the shooting took place around midnight and the couple’s two teenage children were inside the home.
Their son, the eldest child, called 911, according to Davis.
“[It’s] a traumatic event for those children to live through,” he said.
Fairfax served as the state’s lieutenant governor between 2018 and 2022.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
