Jay Woman Charged With Felony Child Abuse
December 30, 2022
A Jay woman was charged after allegedly causing physical injuries to an elementary age child.
Sierra Daniele Chapman, 27, was charged with one felony child abuse without great bodily harm.
Chapman allegedly caused injuries to the elementary age child multiple times, dating back to August 2022.
In August, the child arrived at her elementary school with an abrasion to her elbow. The child claimed the injury was a rug burn caused by Chapman throwing her to the floor, according to an arrest report.
In September, the child complained of leg pain and told the school nurse she was spanked with a spatula and a belt. The school nurse and principal believed the bruising to be excessive, the report states.
The school resource officer was contacted both times, and the child was examined by an advanced pediatric registered nurse from Gulf Coast Kids Houses. According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the nurse indicated that there were positive signs of physical abuse.
In November, the SRSO responded to Santa Rosa Kids House where the child had been examined for injuries caused when Chapman allegedly hit her with a belt, the report states.
Chapman’s statements to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office were redacted from the report obtained from the State Attorney’s Office. Her exact relationship to the child was also redacted.
$4.7 Million Highway 29 Reconstruction Safety Project In Century Begins On Tuesday
December 30, 2022
Work is set to begin Tuesday on a $4.7 million safety project to resurface Highway 29 in Century.
FDOT plans a major reconstruction and realignment of Highway 29 from just south of East Highway 4 to the Alabama state line.
The project includes reconstructing a 700-foot curved segment of Highway 29 from north of Henry Street to Cottage Street; the curve has been the site of several truck accidents in recent years.
FDOT will also upgrade traffic signals, drainage structures, pavement markings, and driveways, while also improving curb ramps and sidewalks to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
During construction, drivers may encounter temporary traffic shifts and daytime and nighttime intermittent lane closures. Access to adjacent businesses and other properties will be maintained at all times.
FDOT estimates the project will be completed in late 2024.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
The current state budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis included $3,278,228 toward the total cost of the project.
Pictured: Looking south into Florida on Highway 29 in Century. Pictured inset: Part of a Highway 29 safety improvement project will include the realignment of this curve. Graphics below show project details. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
‘Some Bunny Special’ Is Now Home From The Molino Post Office
December 30, 2022
A little good news update — “Some Bunny Special” has made it home from the Molino Post Office.
Just before Christmas, we told readers that he was accidently separated from its family at the post office.
The owners of the very special bunny saw the NorthEscambia.com post. We are happy to report that the bunny was picked up from the post office on Thursday and is now back home with his child friend.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Highland Baptist Church Welcoming New Senior Pastor
December 30, 2022
Highland Baptist Church in Molino will welcome their new senior pastor this Sunday, January 1.
Bro. Josh Helton, along with his wife Aly and their children are excited to join the family at Highland. He was called by Highland on December 4 and affirmed by a unanimous vote of the church body.
“We can’t wait to meet and get to know the people of Molino and the surrounding areas. We are looking forward to what God is going to do through His people at Highland Baptist Church to reach this community,” Helton said.
Helton was raised in Holley Pond, Alabama, and saved at the East Hanceville Baptist Church in 2004. After high school he attended Snead State Community College and the University of South Alabama. It was during his time at
South Alabama that Josh felt called into ministry in 2007. After that calling, he transferred to and graduated from Athens State University in 2011 with a bachelor of science in mathematics and a minor in religion. He obtained a master of arts in Christiaan education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in May 2020.
Helton has wife Aly have served at various churches in Alabama and Florida in over 15 years of ministry.
According to Highland, the Heltons “both strongly desire to serve the Lord through being relational with others. Bro. Josh believes that the best way to reach people is to do life with them and that true life change happens when we allow God to change the hearts and lives of others through relationships with believers”.
Operation Santa Provided For Over 1,400 Children In Welfare System
December 30, 2022
Over 1,400 children in the child welfare system from Escambia to Walton County experienced the magic of Christmas thanks to the support of donors to Operation Santa.
Organized through FamiliesFirst Network, Operation Santa is an annual donation drive helping children who have experienced abuse, neglect or trauma enjoy the magic of Christmas. Caregivers were invited to submit wish lists so that gifts could be personalized to each child. Donors sponsor a child and shop for their Christmas wishes or give a monetary gift so the team could shop for them.
“We are fortunate to benefit from several area toy drives, as well as ‘angel trees’ organized by local churches and businesses. But we also use donations to help our teens, as well as young adults aging out of the foster care system,” said Mark Jones, president of FamiliesFirst Network. “Without the generosity of our donors and community partners, many of these children in our care would not receive any gifts during the holidays. I am so thankful to our area businesses, faith community and volunteer network who put countless hours into this project. They have truly spread the magic of Christmas to those who need it most.”
More than 110 donors contributed to Operation Santa this year including WEAR Communities Caring at Christmas, Olive Baptist Church, Liberty Church, Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Victory Assembly of God, and Alyssa’s.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Double Stabbing Suspect Arrested In Escambia County
December 29, 2022
A double stabbing suspect was arrested Thursday morning in Escambia County.
Tamondo Derell Reuben, 48, was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond. He is charged with two counts of attempted murder, grand theft, kidnapping, robbery with a weapon and a probation violation. He was taken into custody without incident at the Rosa L. Parks Transit Complex on Fairfield Drive, not far from the jail.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said he stabbed his girlfriend in the chest and stabbed her son 15 times on Monday.
Reuben stabbed his 47-year old girlfriend at a cemetery they were visiting with her son on Massachusetts Avenue on Monday, according to the ECSO.
He then drove to a vacant lot on Fairfield Drive, took their phones and told them they “were going to die today”, Sheriff Chip Simmons said. The woman then pepper-sprayed him while telling her 18-year old son to run. Reuben chased him, Simmons said, ultimately stabbing him 15 times in the chest, neck, arms and legs.
“Momma and son both fought like hell and continue to fight for their lives,” the sheriff said. “How horrible a person, how brutal, how vicious do you have to be to try and stab not one, but two people to death? This is the kind of individual that we are dealing with.”
At last report, both victims were being treated at a local hospital for serious injuries.
Three Arrested Shortly After Allegedly Stealing Utility Trailer Near Ernest Ward Middle
December 29, 2022
Three people were arrested shortly after stealing a utility trailer from a home near Ernest Ward Middle School.
Miranda Faye Cardwell, age 36 of Cantonment; James Allen Casey, age 43 of Cantonment; and Clovis Clyde McClellan, age 38, were each charged with grand theft from a person age 65 or older and burglary of an occupied structure. McClellan was also charged with providing a false name to law enforcement.
Tuesday, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was called about a utility trailer that has just been stolen from a home in the 4000 block of Highway 99A, near Ernest Ward Middle School. The victim told deputies that someone rang her doorbell, and then she saw a white Jeep drive away with her utility trailer that had been under a covered shop. It was later discovered that a grill and propane bottle were also missing.
A responding deputy spotted the Jeep and trailer in a driveway on Highway 97 north of Gibson Road and held all three suspects at gunpoint until backup arrived, according to an arrest report.
At the time of his arrest, McClellan provided another name, but a fingerprint check at the jail revealed his actual name, the report states.
The trailer, grill and propane bottle, valued at $1,950 total, were returned to the owner.
All three suspects remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday morning.
Deputies also reported finding 14 unopened pieces of U.S. Mail belonging to four other individuals on Highway 97 in the passenger seat of the vehicle. One of the owners of the mail stated that he wished to pursue charges, Deputies were not able to immediately determine who had stolen the mail and no charges were filed.
Pictured top: (L-R) Suspects Casey, Cardwell, and McClellan.
One Injured In T-Bone Type Wreck At Highway 29, Molino Road
December 29, 2022
One person was injured in a T-bone type collision Wednesday night at a Molino intersection.
A white SUV collided with the driver’s side of a southbound pickup truck about 5:55 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Molino Road.
The driver of the SUV was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life threatening. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured.
Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol that the driver of the SUVfailed to stop at a red traffic light. The FHP investigation is continuing.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Family Of Cantonment Murder Suspect That Killed Himself In Jail Files Lawsuit
December 29, 2022
The family of a Cantonment murder suspect that took his own life in the county jail has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Escambia County and two corrections officers.
Lukas MacKenzie Snelson, 24, was charged with second degree homicide, grand theft of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest for the death of his grandmother, 75-year old Fran Fournier.
On December 30, 2021, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the end of Candy Lane in Cantonment for a death investigation. Fournier was found deceased, seated in a recliner with two dog leashes wrapped around her neck, according to an arrest report. Snelson was arrested hours later.
A few days after his arrest, Snelson was found hanging in his cell and later died at a local hospital.
The lawsuit claims Snelson was not provided proper mental health care and was not protected from self-harm.
“Escambia County and its corrections staff were deliberately indifferent to the medical needs and constitutional rights of Mr. Snelson who left behind a 2-year-old son at the time of his death,” the lawsuit states.
“His death could have been prevented if Jail staff assisted him during the 40-minute period when the make-shift rope was tied around his neck, or if someone had changed the broken lights in his cell, used a flashlight during the visual checks, or actually confirmed that he was breathing during the visual checks,” the suit contends.
Below: The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigates the murder of a Cantonment woman on Candy Lane on December 30, 2021. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Navy Federal Donates Over 22,000 Toys To Marine Toys For Tots
December 29, 2022
Navy Federal Credit Union has partnered with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation for 25 years spreading holiday cheer. This year, more than 330 Navy Federal branches participated as drop-off sites worldwide, setting record donation amounts.
“Toys for Tots is fortunate to have a long-time partner like Navy Federal Credit Union,” said retired Marine Colonel Ted Silvester, vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Their community service goals align with those the Marine Corps has promoted for over 75 years through our Toys for Tots Program. Navy Federal Credit Union’s support will allow Toys for Tots to deliver hope and the magic of the holidays to children in need in communities
throughout the U.S.”
This year, Navy Federal collected over $33,000 in monetary donations and over 22,000 toys with 92% of their branches worldwide serving as collection sites.
“I’m proud to see how our branch network rallied around Toys for Tots this year, as nearly all of our branches participated,” said Captain Keith Hoskins (USN Retired), executive vice president of Branch Operations at Navy Federal. “Our team members embody our core value of championing communities where we serve, which has amplified our successful partnership with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.”
