Mother Arrested After Confessing to Brutalizing 5-Year-Old with Zip Ties and Starvation in St. Louis County"

 ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO – A 26-year-old mother has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after authorities uncovered severe abuse inflicted upon her five-year-old child.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Alease Chambers on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, with Abuse or Neglect of a Child – Serious Emotional or Physical Injury, First-Degree Kidnapping, and Additional Counts of Child Abuse or Neglect.

The investigation began on February 17, 2025, when a friend of Chambers alerted police to disturbing incidents of child abuse.

According to the witness, she had stayed overnight at Chambers’ residence and observed the young victim being subjected to extreme and targeted punishments.

She reported that Chambers forced the child to clench his fists while repeatedly striking his knuckles with a cellphone and made him perform wall squats for prolonged periods, allegedly exceeding what would be expected in military training.

The situation escalated when, around 3:00 a.m., the friend was awakened by the child’s screams and cries for help, which seemed to be coming from downstairs.

When she inquired about the child’s whereabouts in the morning, Chambers claimed he was downstairs.

Upon checking, the friend discovered the child zip-tied with his hands behind his back, his pants around his ankles, and his body covered in bruises and marks.

The friend recorded the scene on video and immediately reported the abuse to authorities.

Further investigation revealed that the child had been locked in a closet overnight, with the door barricaded by a dresser.

The victim’s siblings confirmed to investigators that Chambers had a pattern of physically abusing this particular child, frequently beating him with belts, cords, and hangers and forcing him to stay inside the closet for extended periods.

Medical evaluations revealed signs of malnourishment, leading to the child’s hospitalization.

During police questioning, Chambers admitted to restraining her son with belts, cords, and zip ties as punishment for allegedly sneaking food.

She confessed to leaving him restrained for at least two to three hours.

Chambers, who is the child’s biological mother, was taken into custody and is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond, with no 10% option.

Authorities continue to investigate the case, and anyone with further information is urged to contact local law enforcement

Man Found Dead in Car After Shooting in Plant City; Second Victim Hospitalized

 

Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday night in Plant City, leaving one man dead and another injured.

According to the Plant City Police Department (PCPD), officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 1800 block of East Warren Street at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a man, identified as Johnnie James, deceased inside a vehicle.

A second victim, who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm, was also located at the scene.

The injured individual was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills assured the public that investigators are working diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and to identify those responsible.

“Our department is working tirelessly and utilizing all available resources to determine what happened and bring those responsible to justice,” Chief Mills stated. “We are also keeping the victim’s family in our thoughts during this difficult time.”

Authorities are urging residents in the area to review security camera footage that may provide valuable evidence in the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Plant City Police Department at (813) 757-9200.

Susan K. Hilmes, 59, Dies After Car Plunges into Pond; Husband's Heroic Rescue Attempt Fails

 Susan K. Hilmes Obituary, Death – A 59-year-old woman from Breese tragically lost her life after her vehicle crashed into a pond in rural Clinton County. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, February 15, 2025, near the 15000 block of Rod and Gun Road, located just north of Breese.

The victim, identified as Susan K. Hilmes, was later pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. Her husband, 65-year-old Steven A. Hilmes, was also involved in the crash and sustained injuries. He was treated for his injuries at the same hospital. According to the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, emergency responders received a 911 call reporting that the vehicle had failed to navigate a turn at an intersection, which caused it to veer off the road and plunge into the nearby pond.

In a desperate attempt to save his wife, Steven Hilmes, the passenger in the car, managed to escape the vehicle and repeatedly dived into the icy water to rescue her. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he was unable to free her from the submerged vehicle. The sheriff’s office later confirmed that when they arrived at the scene, the car was found overturned in the water, with only the rear wheels visible above the surface.

After his unsuccessful attempts to rescue Susan, Steven Hilmes sought help from a nearby residence. First responders, including emergency medical services and firefighters, arrived shortly afterward. However, the situation was complicated further by the presence of a fallen power pole that had been struck during the crash. The fallen pole had ended up in the pond, creating additional obstacles for the rescuers. To ensure safety and allow for the recovery operation to proceed, personnel from the Clinton County Electric Company were dispatched to secure the area.

Firefighters from the Breese Fire Department entered the pond to retrieve Susan from the submerged vehicle. After a difficult and carefully coordinated operation, they successfully extricated her from the car and transported her to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Despite the efforts to save her, Susan K. Hilmes was ultimately pronounced dead at the hospital.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by local authorities. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office is looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine what factors may have contributed to the fatal crash. As of now, the investigation continues, and further details will be released once more information becomes available.

This tragic event has left the Breese community in shock. The loss of Susan K. Hilmes has been deeply felt by her family, friends, and the entire area. The rescue efforts, though ultimately unsuccessful in saving her life, highlight the dedicated work of emergency responders who faced numerous challenges at the scene. The fallen power pole, the icy waters, and the vehicle’s overturned position all posed significant difficulties, yet the Breese Fire Department’s efforts to recover the victim were commendable.

This tragic accident underscores the potential dangers of rural roads and the importance of caution, especially during early morning hours when visibility and road conditions may be less than ideal. Authorities have yet to release a full report on what led to the crash, but the ongoing investigation will likely provide clarity on the situation.

The community is now left to cope with the loss of Susan K. Hilmes, and her family, particularly her husband Steven, are dealing with the emotional aftermath of the tragic events. As the investigation continues, it is hoped that any potential contributing factors to the crash will be uncovered, offering closure to the family and the community. In the meantime, the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of accidents and the importance of road safety.

Tragedy on Lake Oconee: Spelman Professor Found Dead, Engaged Coach Missing After Empty Boat Discovered

 

Georgia authorities are investigating the death of a college professor and the disappearance of a private school coach after an empty boat was discovered on Lake Oconee over the weekend.

According to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), game wardens located the body of Joycelyn Wilson around 10 a.m. on Sunday using sonar technology. Wilson had been a faculty member at Spelman College since 2007, serving in the mathematics department.

The identity of the missing coach has not been officially released by the DNR. However, Westminster, a private Christian school in Atlanta, confirmed that the missing individual is Gary Jones, a faculty member and the head coach for the school’s varsity boys’ and girls’ track and field teams.

In a statement, Westminster expressed concern for Jones’ well-being, saying, “Our entire community is praying for his safe return and for his family during this difficult moment.”

A childhood friend of Jones shared that they had attended Clark Atlanta University together. The two had recently reconnected and were engaged.

Lake Oconee spans from Eatonton in the south to Madison in the north. Officials have not disclosed where the empty boat was found or where search efforts are focused.

Authorities have continued their efforts to locate Jones, but the search was temporarily halted on Wednesday due to poor weather conditions. The investigation remains ongoing.

Chicago Man, 52, Killed in Early Morning Crash with Stationary Semi on I-80 Amid Winter Weather

 

Authorities have identified the driver who died in a crash on Interstate 80 near Overton early Wednesday morning. The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the victim was 52-year-old Dejan Ajdanic of Chicago, Illinois.

The crash occurred on February 12, 2025, at approximately 5:36 a.m. when the sheriff’s office received a report of a possible accident near mile marker 245 on I-80.

According to investigators, Ajdanic was driving westbound when his vehicle collided with the trailer of a stationary semi. The semi had been stopped due to another overturned semi that was blocking both westbound lanes. It is unclear whether Ajdanic was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Ajdanic was pronounced dead at the scene, while the drivers of both semis were uninjured. Authorities believe winter weather conditions played a role in the accident.

Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Nebraska State Patrol, Overton Fire and Rescue, the Dawson County Attorney’s Office, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation. The investigation remains ongoing.

Tragedy Strikes: Local Resident Edward Spears Killed in Head-On Collision on Highway 52

 

Edward Spears Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified the driver who was killed in a head-on collision in the Florence area over the weekend.

Crash Details

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred early Sunday morning around 6:40 a.m. on Highway 52 near Clement Street. The collision involved a 2001 Ford Mustang and a 2008 Lexus LS 460.

Lance Cpl. Lena Butler reported that the two vehicles crashed head-on, resulting in the death of the Ford Mustang’s driver at the scene. The driver of the Lexus sustained injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Victim Identified

The Florence County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that the deceased driver was Edward Spears, a resident of Florence.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Further details may be released as officials continue their review of the incident.

New Jersey Man Shot Dead in Brooklyn Confrontation: 38-Year-Old Brandon Sylvester Killed Outside Home

 

38-year-old man from New Jersey was shot and killed on a residential street in Brooklyn early Thursday morning, according to police reports.

Victim Identified

The victim has been identified as Brandon Sylvester, a resident of Englewood, New Jersey. Authorities have not yet determined why he was in Brooklyn at the time of the shooting.

Details of the Shooting

The fatal incident occurred around 1:15 a.m. on Beverly Road near East 58th Street. According to police, Sylvester was involved in a confrontation when he was shot in the chest. He was standing inside the gate outside a home when the shooting took place.

Emergency Response and Investigation

Emergency medical personnel arrived quickly and transported Sylvester to Kings County Hospital. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including possible motives and suspects. No arrests have been made at this time.