Mother

Family of Slain CT Mother Pleads for Justice as Sentencing Approaches for Jose Morales

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BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — The family of Vanessa Morales, a mother whose tragic death has captivated the attention of the community, is calling for justice as they prepare for the sentencing of Jose Morales, the man accused of her murder. As they anticipate the court date, family members are grappling with their grief and seeking answers regarding the loss of their loved one. Vanessa Morales was reported missing in December 2019, with her body later discovered in a wooded area in New Haven. Her untimely death has raised questions and sorrow among friends and family members … Read more

Mother Convicted of Misdemeanor Child Abuse After Toddler Overdoses on Fentanyl Found in Home

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REDDING, Calif. — A Shasta County jury has convicted Candice Lynn Youngblood on charges of misdemeanor child abuse and possession of an injection/ingestion device. The verdict comes in the wake of an alarming incident involving Youngblood’s child, who suffered an overdose after coming into contact with fentanyl in their home. The troubled situation unfolded following a 911 call placed by the child’s father when their 18-month-old son became unresponsive after ingesting the potent opioid. Emergency responders arrived in time to administer Narcan, an opioid overdose reversal drug, and the child was subsequently transported to a … Read more

Texas Enacts New Alcohol Law After Heartbreaking Loss: Mother Advocates for Electronic Age Verification to Prevent Underage Drinking

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DALLAS — A new Texas law mandates electronic age-verification scanners at cash registers in convenience stores and retailers selling alcohol, a measure spurred by the tragic loss of a young man in a drunk-driving accident. The legislation emerged from the efforts of Charlotte Stephens, a North Texas mother whose son, DeShawn Jagwan, died after consuming alcohol purchased without identification checks. Jagwan was just 18 years old when he died in a single-car crash shortly after attending his high school prom. On April 9, 2022, Stephens sent Jagwan off to Plano Senior High School’s prom. Described … Read more

Mother of Teen Victim Files $25 Million Lawsuit Alleging Major Failures Ahead of Georgia School Shooting

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WINDER, Ga. — The mother of a teenage student who lost his life in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School plans to pursue a lawsuit for $25 million, claiming that various agencies failed to heed warning signs that could have prevented the tragedy. Breanna Schermerhorn, the mother of 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn, intends to name the Barrow County School System and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office among those responsible in her legal action. A formal notice sent earlier this month asserts that officials overlooked multiple alerts regarding Colt Gray, the alleged shooter. According to the … Read more