National Roundup

Ohio
Prosecutors charge teen whose gun killed toddler
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Prosecutors in Ohio have charged a teenager whose gun got into the hands of a 7-year-old who accidentally shot a 3-year-old boy to death.

Authorities in Toledo filed charges of complicity to negligent homicide and failure to secure firearms against the 15-year-old late last week in juvenile court.

They say the teen is a relative of 3-year-old Tyrne Hoskins, who died from a gunshot wound in October. Police say several adults were in the home at the time.

Prosecutors have not released the name of the teenager and they earlier decided not to file charges against the 7-year-old who shot the gun.

Police tell The Blade newspaper in Toledo that the gun was fired inside a bedroom and the bullet went through a wall before hitting the toddler.

Pennsylvania
Police send robbery suspect Facebook message
BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Police in one Pennsylvania town have sent an armed robbery suspect a message on Facebook, and it’s not because they want to be friends.

Bridgeville police say 32-year-old Robert Watkins III has been identified as the suspect in the Thanksgiving Day robbery of a Gulf station.

The police post, which includes the message, “It’s only a matter of time before we find you” shows several pictures of Watkins, and says he’s been identified through surveillance video at the scene.

The police believe Watkins may be headed to his hometown of Meadville, about 100 miles north of Bridgeville, in western Pennsylvania.

Online court records show police were still looking for Watkins on Monday on an arrest warrant for robbery and other charges.


New York
NYPD arrests man accused of harassing Muslim police officer
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Police Department has arrested a man accused of harassing an off-duty Muslim police officer previously commended for heroism.

The NYPD said Monday that 36-year-old Christopher Nelson has been arrested on charges of menacing as a hate crime and aggravated harassment.

Authorities say the officer, who was wearing a Muslim head covering, encountered a man yelling and pushing her 16-year-old son on Saturday evening in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. When she intervened the man referenced the Islamic State group and threatened to slit her throat.

City officials hailed Officer Aml Elsokary as a hero in 2014, after she ran into a burning building to save a baby.

There was no immediate information on an attorney who could comment on the defendant’s behalf.

Massachusetts
Suit: State police overlook women, minorities
BOSTON (AP) — Four current and former Massachusetts State Police troopers are suing the agency, alleging it routinely passed over female and minority troopers for advancement.

The Boston Globe reports the suit filed in August and updated in November names three women and a black man as plaintiffs.

The suit alleges many high-ranking and better-paying jobs aren’t posted publicly, which agency policy requires, and those that are posted are quickly filled by white, male candidates with less impressive qualifications than women and minority candidates.

It claims women and minorities who were promoted were transferred “hours away from their homes.”

State police spokesman David Procopio says the department “has promoted, and continually seeks to promote qualified women and officers of color.”

He says the department will present a “vigorous” response to the suit.

Ohio
Puppy given alcohol leads to charges of cruelty
ASHTABULA, Ohio (AP) — Three Ohio residents accused of giving alcoholic drinks to a puppy have been charged with misdemeanor cruelty to a companion animal after one of the defendants posted a picture of the passed-out dog on Facebook.

The Star-Beacon reports the three adults from Ashtabula were charged after one of them said another intentionally gave vodka and Kahlua to the 3-month-old puppy, and the third posted the photo. Someone called police after seeing the Facebook photo.

The city’s animal control officer removed the dog from the home and took it to the local Animal Protective League.

Florida
Jeb Bush hired as consultant for major law firm
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is landing a new job with a major law firm that has a substantial presence in the state capital.

The Pittsburgh-based law firm of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney announced Monday that Bush will act as a strategic consultant to the firm and its clients.

The firm said that the “strategic affiliation” with Bush and his consulting firm Jeb Bush & Associates will focus primarily on Florida. Bush served as Florida’s governor for two terms and mounted an unsuccessful run earlier this year for president. Bush is not an attorney.

The law firm’s Florida government relations team is led by J.M. “Mac” Stipanovich, who has been friends with Bush for decades.

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney represents roughly 60 clients before the Florida Legislature.

Tennessee
Hospital to pay $50K in lawsuit of discrimination
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) — Mountain States Health Alliance is paying the federal government a $50,000 penalty after two parents accused a Johnson City hospital of not providing a qualified sign language interpreter while their daughter was dying.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee said in a news release that officials reached a settlement in the case Wednesday. It is the largest civil penalty any U.S. Attorney’s Office has received regarding effective communication in hospital settings.

Christopher and Donna Cantrell, both of whom are deaf, last year filed a discrimination complaint which has since been resolved out of court. The parents said the Johnson City Medical Center refused to provide qualified sign language interpreters to allow the Wise, Virginia, couple to participate in their daughter’s care as she died of cancer.