Volusia County, FL – Local law enforcement agencies in Volusia County are urging residents to turn in any unwanted or unused prescription drugs during National Drug Take-Back Day on October 28.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO), Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD), and other local law enforcement agencies say that you can clean out your medicine cabinets and turn old prescriptions into several locations around Volusia County on Saturday from 10 AM until 2 PM, no questions asked. The service is free and anonymous.

“The prescription drugs that people aren’t using, don’t want in the house anymore, sometimes kids get a hold of them, and that’s certainly a danger,” says Andrew Gant, spokesperson for VCSO. “The best thing to do is if you’ve been prescribed stuff that you didn’t use years ago and you don’t want around, just bring them to us. We’ll take care of it.”

National Drug Take-Back Day began seven years ago and is sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), according to the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD). It began as a way to get unwanted prescription drugs off the street, prevent drug overdoses, and keep harmful prescription drugs out of the hands of children. The event is held twice a year, and since its inception, Americans have turned in more than 8.1 million pounds of unwanted prescription drugs.

You can drop off any expired or unwanted prescriptions to the following locations in Volusia County from 10 AM until 2 PM this Saturday:

• Daytona Beach Police Department, 129 Valor Blvd., Daytona Beach; (386) 671-5100
• Ormond Beach Police Department, 170 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach; (386) 676-3551
• New Smyrna Beach Police Department 246 Industrial Park Ave. NSB; (386) 424-2000
• VCSO District Headquarters 1706 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand; (386) 943-7866
• VCSO District Headquarters 1435 U.S. 1, Suite D-3, Ormond Beach; (386) 323-0151
• VCSO District Headquarters 101 E. Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach; (386) 423-3301
• VCSO District Headquarters 1691 Providence Blvd., Deltona; (386) 860-7030
• VCSO District Headquarters 79 S. Charles Beall Blvd., DeBary; (386) 668-3830

Gant adds that anytime, any day, if you want to dispose of prescriptions you don’t need anymore, you can call VCSO, and the Sheriff’s Office will call a deputy to dispose of them. “It doesn’t have to be on Drug Take-Back Day, but certainly, it’s a good day to take care of it if you are able,” says Gant.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Daytona Beach, FL – The University of Florida (UF) Health Heart and Vascular Surgery Program at Halifax Health Medical Center has been officially accredited.

Recently, the Peripheral Arterial Testing sector of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) approved a 3-year accreditation for the UF Health program. Programs such as these help doctors detect potentially life-threatening cardiovascular disorders that can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Cardiovascular disease is the number 1 cause of death in the country as it claims 1 person every 39 seconds. The 3^rd largest cause of death and the largest cause of disability is from strokes, which occur 800,000 times a year in the U.S.

Diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases relies on the training of technologist, equipment, and the quality of the facility. An IAC approval indicates a long process of applying and reviewing as well as it indicates quality health care that patients can rely on. IAC accreditation requires facilities to complete an in-depth self-analysis as well as undergo a review by medical professionals and experts. How the facility operates and what technical abilities the facility has is also considered.

For more information on the recently accredited UF Health Heart and Vascular Surgery Program, you can go to www.HalifaxHealth.org/UFhealth or call 386-226-2662.

Photo courtesy of Halifax Health.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – The increased patrols throughout Flagler County during Biketoberfest resulted in a safer holiday weekend, according to Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly.

During October 19 through 22, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) focused their traffic patrols and DUI enforcement on A1A and US-1 looking for aggressive or impaired motorists. Over the weekend, deputies carried out 252 traffic stops and made 6 DUI arrests. Fortunately, there were no fatal traffic accidents in Flagler County.

“The goal was no fatalities and being able to keep visitors and residents safe throughout this event,” said Staly. “I think the presence of patrols units and the signboards on the major roadways helped to remind drivers that there is more traffic on the roads and to drive safely. I think the operation was a success. Unfortunately, some people still decided to drive impaired, and they are now familiar with our Green Roof Inn (jail).”

Photo courtesy of Dmitry Nikolaev and Shutterstock.com

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Daytona Beach, FL – Daytona Beach Police (DBPD) are investigating a suspicious death after the body of a 31-year-old woman was found at Derbyshire Park in Daytona Beach.

A group of several juveniles found the body of the deceased on Sunday afternoon just before 2 PM. DBPD was called to the Yvonne Scarlett Golden Center located at 1000 Vine Street, but officials determined that the victim’s body was actually located just east of the football fields at Derbyshire Park at 849 Derbyshire Rd.

The woman has been identified as 31-year-old Jessica Raver, according to DBPD. Officials did find obvious injuries and some evidence of trauma and foul play, so Crime Scene Investigators and Traffic Homicide Investigators were called to the scene, according to DBPD reports. The Medical Examiner has completed an autopsy, and DBPD is waiting on the results of the autopsy.

Everyone on scene cooperated with police and stayed on scene while police were conducting the investigation. No suspects have been identified yet, and DBPD is asking anyone with any information regarding the death to contact police.

Anyone with information can text “CRIMES” (274637) with a cell phone or log on to www.dbpd.us and click on Anonymous Web Tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “DBTIPS.” Tipsters remain anonymous, and there is a reward of up to $5,000 for anyone with information leading to an arrest.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

St. Augustine, FL – During the trial of the Deltona man accused of killing his wife and her two children, the jury was shown a taped video where the man screamed out to his wife’s professed lover, “Give me my family!”

35-year-old Luis Toledo, of Deltona, was accused in 2013 of killing 28-year-old Yessenia Suarez and her children, Thalia Otto, 9, and Michael Otto, 8, who went missing from their Deltona home in October of 2013. Their bodies have never been found. Toledo confessed to killing his wife, but he claims that his neighbor, Tyshawn Jackson, killed the children in the Toledos’ home. Jackson denies killing the children but he admitted to having an affair with Suarez.

On Monday, Toledo told the jury that he and Jackson had planned to play video games the day Toledo was accused of the triple murder. Toledo said that his wife became angry and attacked him when the two men came to the house. Toledo claims he killed his wife out of self-defense. Investigators say there are many inconsistencies in Toledo’s story.

For more on this story head to WFTV.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Deltona, FL – The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting in Deltona that left an 18-year-old man wounded on Monday night.

An 11-year-old reported the shooting at around 5:19 PM on the night of October 23. The victim, who had gunshot wounds to his arm and shoulder, said the shooting happened near Fort Smith and India Boulevards. He was rushed to the hospital via Air One.

Officials say the investigation is ongoing, but no further information is being released at this time. Updates will be provided as they become available.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

DeLand, FL – A man and woman were arrested in DeLand after they were found at a Circle K parking lot passed out in a car and carrying drugs while a baby, approximately eight months old, was in the back seat with a saturated diaper.

Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) says a deputy noticed the two passed out in the vehicle with the windows fogged up and the driver’s side door open at around 3:15 AM Tuesday at the Circle K located at 2095 E. New York Ave. The vehicle seemed to have been there for an extended period of time, according to reports.

When the deputy noticed the infant in the back seat, the baby’s diaper was soiled to the point where it was evident that the diaper had not been changed recently, and the car seat was saturated with fluids from the diaper. According to VCSO, the baby was sweating profusely, appeared dirty, and cried for an empty bottle when she saw it.

The deputy woke up the man and the woman. The woman in the front passenger’s seat, 34-year-old Kimberly McCaffrey of DeLand, was highly disoriented. She did not recall where she was, and she had difficulty spelling her name. A clear plastic baggie was found with residue in her left front pocket, and that residue tested positive for opiates, according to VCSO.

The man, 33-year-old Sean Gannon, was in the driver’s seat with the key in the ignition, and deputies later found track marks on his arm indicating intravenous drug use. He had a syringe in his left front pocket which also tested positive for opiates. According to VCSO records, Gannon is a transient.

Andrew Gant, a spokesman for VCSO, says that opioid abuse cases like this one are all too common and that these cases are a sign of an epidemic. “These drugs, when people abuse them, it’s not just them that they’re affecting. These things touch the lives of families and everybody involved in their life,” explains Gant.

Both McCaffrey and Gannon were placed under arrest and taken to the Volusia County Jail. McCaffrey  is charged with child neglect and possession of opiates. Gannon is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with a suspended license.

The child is now in the care of the Department of Children and Families. “The goal here is to make sure the child is healthy, happy, and has a good living situation going forward,” says Gant.

You can find surveillance video of the incident from VCSO here.

(McCaffrey’s mugshot courtesy Volusia County jail)

(Gannon’s mugshot courtesy Volusia County jail)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – Flagler County officials have released important information regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Center and FEMA eligibility.

The Flagler County FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is now closed; however, Putnam County has opened their own facility. The Putnam Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Putnam County Fairgrounds located at 118 Fairgrounds Road, East Palatka. The Center, located roughly 18 miles from Bunnell, will be open from 8 AM to 8 PM through Sunday, October 29.

“We know we have residents in Flagler who are still in need of services,” said Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager, Sally Sherman. “It’s pretty much a straight shot if you drive west on State Road 100. We encourage you to take advantage of the center.”

The deadline for FEMA “Individual Assistance” and U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans is on Thursday, November 9. You can register for FEMA here, and you can call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY users) for help.

“While the Federal Emergency Management Agency was operating a Disaster Recovery Center at the Flagler County Library Main Palm Coast Branch last week (October 17-22), more than 1,400 specific needs were met by participating agencies,” said Flagler County Human Services Program Manager, Janet Nickels.

In Flagler County:

• FEMA helped 464 residents with applications, questions, updates, and corrections
• The Small Business Association received 79 loan applications
• 52 residents were assisted with Flagler County State Housing Initiatives Partnerships (SHIP) program applications and questions about home repair
• 340 people were helped with other SHIP concerns
• 292 residents were interviewed by the Flagler County Social Services Department
• 160 residents applied for Disaster-SNAP (food stamps)
• 45 applications regarding help for debris removal, mucking and tarping were turned into Flagler Volunteer Services

If you were turned down by FEMA for disaster assistance, Flagler County officials want you to know that it is not “the last word.” If you received a determination letter from FEMA, make sure to read the letter very carefully as some issues are easy to correct.

If you were uninsured or suffered uninsured losses, you can appeal the decision within 60 days if you can submit insurance settlement paperwork. If there has been a mistake, call 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY users) or visit a Disaster Recovery Center immediately.

“Don’t just accept the initial response, because every resident has the right to appeal any decision of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),” said Sherman. “These appeals can relate to eligibility, the amount of help provided, a late application, a request to return money, or continuing help.”

If you wish to appeal, send your appeal letter containing your reason why the ineligibility or amount is incorrect, full name, 9-digit FEMA registration number, 4-digit disaster number (DR-4337), and the date of the appeal. Letters should be sent to:

FEMA National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-7055

Photo courtesy Mike Focus and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Ormond Beach, FL – Ormond Beach Police are investigating after a man said he was stabbed by his 95 pound wife in the abdomen after a domestic dispute.

The wife, 43-year-old Deana Trail was arrested after her husband, 61-year-old Johnnie Trail, claims she stabbed him around 12:30 PM on Monday at Virginia Terrace in Ormond Beach. The two were arguing after the wife came home to get her marriage certificate and asked the husband for a ride to get a new driver’s license. The two are in the midst of a divorce that is expected to be finalized this week.

The wife says that her husband got angry, said he was not going to help her, went inside, and locked the door, according to police reports. The argument got physical later after Deana Trail entered the back door of the house, and Johnnie Trail tried to shut the door on her. Deana Trail says that her husband put her in a headlock and that she had to bite him in order to get him off of her.

When police arrived at the scene, both the husband and wife had injuries. Deana Trail told police most of her injuries were from a fight with a different person the night before. Police noticed a cut on Johnnie Trail’s chest. When asked how her husband got the cut, the wife said she did not know and claimed that he probably stabbed himself, according to police reports.

Witnesses told police that Deana Trail did have a knife. Johnnie Trail’s mother, who went to the house to bring her son food, told police that Deana Trail threatened to kill her as well as Johnnie Trail.

Deana Trail was taken to Volusia County Branch Jail and is charged with aggravated battery. She was held without bond. Her husband was transported to the hospital and later released. This is an ongoing investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available.

(Trail’s mugshot courtesy Volusia County jail)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

St. Augustine, FL – During the trial of the Deltona man accused of killing his wife and her two kids, an investigator told defense attorneys that there was no direct evidence to support that the man killed the two kids, but the investigator later clarified that there was circumstantial evidence.

Luis Toledo, of Deltona, was accused in 2013 of killing 28-year-old Yessenia Suarez and her children, Thalia Otto, 9, and Michael Otto, 8, who went missing from their Deltona home in October of 2013. Their bodies have never been found. Toledo confessed to killing his wife out of self-defense, but he claims that his neighbor, Tyshawn Jackson, killed the children. Toledo may face the death penalty if convicted of killing the children.

During cross-examination on Tuesday, prosecutors tried to prove that Toledo has been inconsistent in his statements to investigators, but the defense implied that Toledo never wavered in his statements that Jackson killed the children.

For more on this story head to WFTV.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Ormond Beach, FL – On Wednesday afternoon, students at Calvary Christian Academy in Ormond Beach will be handing over a personalized “thank you” to the president of Tower Hill Insurance, which gave a record-setting contribution to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which made it possible for many of those students to attend the school.

Don Matz, president of Tower Hill Insurance, is scheduled to be publicly thanked at 2 PM at Calvary Christian Academy, 1687 W. Granada Blvd.

Step Up For Students, the group that administers scholarships from the FL Tax Credit Scholarship Program, recently hit the 100,000 mark for students served. Many students who receive scholarships from this program come from a single-parent household with an average annual income of $25,353.

Speakers at the event will include Joe Pfountz (CFO of Step Up For Students), Dr. Aaron Gonzalez (Principal of Calvary Christian Academy), and Mia Rauseo (a Step Up For Students scholarship recipient).

To learn more about the FL Tax Credit Scholarship Program, go to FLDOE.org. For more information on Step Up For Students, go to StepUpForStudents.org.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Orange City, FL – Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) is looking for a man accused of sexually battering a woman in Orange City after meeting her through the dating app, Tinder.

The woman says the man picked her up the evening of October 14 for a date after the two met each other through Tinder. He was driving a small, silver or gray SUV, possibly a Kia Soul, and the two drove off to an area near Blue Spring State Park off of French Ave. in Orange City. That’s when the woman says he sexually battered her.

The woman described the suspect as a white man between 40 and 44 years old and approximately 6 feet 2 inches or 6 feet 3 inches tall. Below is a composite image of the man provided by Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.

If you recognize the man from the image provided or if you have any other information about the case, you are urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 386-668-3830, Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida at 888-277-TIPS, or via the app available at westopcrime.com. Information submitted to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Daytona Beach, FL – A Daytona man is now charged with second degree murder after the man he confessed to punching and sending to the ground during an argument on Friday at a Daytona Beach Popeye’s died from his injuries on Tuesday.

The dispute happened at around 6:03 PM on Friday October 20 at the Popeye’s located at 101 N. Ridgewood Ave. in Daytona Beach, according to Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD). 34-year-old James Allen got into an argument with 55-year-old John Roughton.

Witnesses say that Allen was screaming face-to-face with Roughton. Allen punched Roughton in the face and caused him to fall back and hit his head on the ground. Allen fled the scene and walked eastbound on International Speedway. When police arrived on scene, Roughton was laying on the ground unconscious and being treated by medical personnel for a head wound. He was transported to Halifax Health for further treatment.

Police later caught up to Allen in the 200 block of Magnolia Ave. Allen confessed to the crime, and he was arrested for aggravated battery and booked into the Volusia County Jail with no bond.

On Tuesday, Roughton was pronounced dead by hospital staff after passing away from his injuries related to the incident. Allen’s charges were amended by DBPD to second degree murder following Roughton’s death.

(Allen’s mugshot courtesy Volusia County Jail)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

St. Augustine, FL – A friend of the wife of the Deltona man accused of triple murder testified in court on Wednesday, and she said she is looking for closure.

Luis Toledo, of Deltona, was accused in 2013 of killing his wife, Yessenia Suarez, and his stepchildren, Thalia and Michael Otto, who went missing from their Deltona home in October of 2013. Their bodies have not been found. The trial is being held in St. Augustine due to the high publicity the case has received.

On Wednesday, Suarez’s friend, Sabrina Newell, told the court that Suarez and Toledo would argue because Suarez felt he wasn’t taking care of things around the house. A jail phone call that was made from Toledo to Newell was played for the jury. During the phone call, Toledo talked about Suarez’s infidelity and how controlling he felt she was. Toledo has said he does not plan to testify in the trial.

For more on this story head to WFTV.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) is reminding everyone to that there will be an increase in speeding and DUI enforcement during Halloween.

To make sure everyone stays safe this holiday, the FCSO will strategically place speed enforcement deputies in areas where the risk of crashes is high. Patrol units, bicycle patrol, and C.O.P.S. will be in neighborhoods while children go trick-or-treating.

The main thing the FCSO will be looking for is speeding and aggressive driving. Adults going to Halloween parties are asked to plan for a designated driver as DUI patrol will also be out all weekend.

The FCSO has prepared some tips for residents for the next few days leading up to Halloween and the holiday itself.

Trick-or-Treaters should:

• Wear a costume that fits properly and masks that do not block vision
• Carry a flashlight/glow stick
• Never go out trick-or-treating alone
• Stop only at well-lit houses and always remain on the porch or driveway
• Look before crossing any street and always use sidewalks
• Have parents inspect candy before it is eaten

Parents should:

• Always watch their children
• Inspect candy and throw it out, if in doubt
• Create an emergency plan with their children if they should ever be separated
• Have their children memorize their home address and phone number
• Think about attending a community event

Driver should:

• Slow down and watch out for children
• Use headlights beginning at dusk
• Wear seatbelts, even driving from house to house
• Abstain from drinking and driving

“There will be a lot of Halloween activities and fall festivals going on this weekend,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “Our goal for all residents and visitors is safety. Please be cautious and watch for kids running from house to house. And if you’re going to consume alcohol, don’t get behind the wheel of a car.”

If you see something suspicious, do not hesitate to call 386-313-4911 for non-emergencies and 911 for emergencies. If there is a suspicious person or event, it should be reported to the FCSO.

Photo courtesy pressmaster and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Ormond Beach, FL – One man is dead after a motorcycle wreck in Ormond Beach that occurred early Thursday morning.

49-year-old Frederick Peter Santiago, of Green Cove Springs, was driving a motorcycle northbound along the 800 block of North U.S. 1 in Ormond Beach at around 2:05 AM on Thursday. He ran off the roadway to the left into the grass median, re-entered the road, and the motorcycle overturned and slid across the roadway, according to the crash reports.

There were no other vehicles involved, and Santiago suffered fatal injuries as a result of the incident. Ormond Beach Police Department (OBPD) and the Ormond Beach Fire Department (OBFD) responded to the scene, and OBFD declared Santiago dead at the scene at about 2:38 AM.

Santiago’s next-of-kin has been contacted. OBPD is still investigating the crash and will provide more information as it becomes available. It is unknown at this time whether alcohol was a factor.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017

Volusia County, FL – Volusia County has applied for BearWise funding from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to help reduce instances of bear and human interaction.

In addition to Volusia, Collier County Parks and Recreation, Franklin County, Highlands County, Lake County, Orange County, Seminole County, and Walton County have also applied for the $515,283 in BearWise funding. The Air Force Enlisted Village HOA in Okaloosa County and Holley by the Sea Improvement Association in Santa Rosa County have also applied for a combined total of $998,425 in funding.

Over the next few weeks, the FWC will decide which communities to prioritize for funding. The FWC requests the community already have BearWise countywide, city-wide, or HOA-wide ordinances in place, meaning that they have laws preventing homeowners and businesses from leaving garbage unsecured. The funding will help these communities with the cost of installing bear-resistant trash cans and dumpsters.

“Feeding on garbage is the main reason why Florida black bears appear in neighborhoods,” said FWC Bear Management Program leader, David Telesco. “This funding will make it easier for people to secure their trash, keeping both people and bears safe.”

$415,283 was approved by the Florida Legislature and Governor Rick Scott. The FWC contributed an additional $100,000, earned through the sales of their Conserve Wildlife license plate. 60% of the Florida Legislature funding must go towards areas who already have BearWise ordinances such as Lake, Orange and Seminole counties and the Holley by the Sea Improvement Association.

In 2016, the FWC allotted $800,000 to 11 different counties, 3 cities, and 1 HOA. The funding paid for 5,100 bear-resistant trash cans and 3,800 hardware units to secure existing trash cans. 75% of 2016’s funding went to areas where BearWise ordinances were already in place.

Based on their answers to the following questions, the FWC will decide which applicants to approve for BearWise funding. The funding recipients are expected to be announced in November.

• Is there a local ordinance in place requiring residents and businesses to keep trash and other attractants secure from bears?
• How many households in the area are experiencing significant human-bear conflicts?
• Will the community match the funding, either with money, in-kind services or both?
• What is the likelihood the project will result in a community-wide reduction of human-bear conflicts?
• How many residences and businesses may benefit from the project?

The FWC hopes that their continued dedication to helping communities create BearWise ordinances and the incentive they offer every year to do it will cause less conflict between bears and humans. For additional information on Florida black bear populations, go here.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Flagler County, FL – The debris hauling in Flagler County is moving onto Daytona North and several private communities.

So far, 30,000 cubic yards (1,300 truckloads) of storm debris has been picked up from roadways in Flagler County. Staff and contracted haulers have been working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week to get rid of the debris. 183 roads in the unincorporated part of Flagler County have been cleared.

“This debris has been collected since September 21 through Wednesday (October 26), and it has been taken to the final disposal site,” said Amy Kennedy, Flagler County Project Manager. “We have also started to collect construction debris – 21 truckloads so far.”

Crews are now working to clear public roads in Daytona North as well as in private communities on the barrier island, such as the Maritime Estates community and Matanzas Shores. Plantation Bay, another private community, has been completely cleared of debris. Flagler will now work on debris hauling in the Fairchild Oaks community.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience,” said Nate McLaughlin, Commission Chair. “We are working very hard to get this work completed, and managing our resources wisely.”

Photo courtesy of Elena Fernandez Z and Shutterstock.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

St. Augustine, FL – During the trial of the Deltona man accused of killing his wife and his stepchildren, the prosecution claimed that the man’s anger over his wife’s affair was motive for murder.

35-year-old Luis Toledo, of Deltona, was accused in 2013 of killing 28-year-old Yessenia Suarez and her children, Thalia Otto, 9, and Michael Otto, 8, who went missing from their home in October of 2013. Their bodies have never been found. Toledo confessed to killing his wife in self-defense but claims that a neighbor, Tyshawn Jackson, killed the children.

The jury heard closing arguments on Thursday. Prosecutors say they believe Toledo turned off his cellphone so his movements couldn’t be tracked. State prosecutor Mark Johnson told the jury that Thalia Otto’s blood was found in the Toledo’s bathroom and that the evidence suggests Toledo killed the children to eliminate witnesses to his wife’s death. Toledo’s attorney claims that the state’s theory that Toledo acted alone would not be possible.

For more on this story head to WFTV.com.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.

Daytona Beach, FL – A man was arrested and charged with the murder of a woman whose body was found in Derbyshire Park on Sunday after she was run over with her own car, according to Daytona Beach Police (DBPD).

32-year-old Donnie Glenn was arrested Thursday morning while he was appearing in court on unrelated charges. Police are charging him as a suspect in the killing of 31-year-old Jessica Raver after Raver’s body was found by a group of children at Derbyshire Park in Daytona Beach. According to DBPD, the evidence indicates that Glenn ran Raver over with her own car at night and that a knife was also involved.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri says that Glenn had a long criminal history, including 20 felonies and six convictions. Capri says that Glenn and Raver knew each other, but their relationship is unclear. He adds that drugs were also involved in the case.

“I am just glad that we were able to get closure for the family, and we owe that to our victim, Jessica. We owe her the honor of bringing her killer to justice, and I feel we’ve done that for her and for her family,” says Capri.

For earlier reporting on this story, click here.

(Glenn’s mugshot courtesy Volusia County Jail)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.