Babysitter arrested
A babysitter from Seminole was arrested this week and charged with sexually abusing a 6-year-old girl.
Detectives say 19-year-old Erica Charles showed the child a pornographic video and directed her to perform a sexual act. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said Charles also removed the child’s clothing and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions.
Detectives suspect the babysitter may have assaulted other victims and are asking anyone with more information to call them.
Repeat sexual offender apprehended
A Tampa man has been charged in connection with two rape cases.
Roytaner Williams was arrested for a rape in March. During the investigation, police found evidence linking him to a 2016 rape.
Both victims mentioned a car with a broken handle. This led police to connect Williams to the older case. There is also DNA evidence linking the suspect to both cases. Police are trying to determine if there are other victims.
Flu season
The CDC recommends that you get a flu vaccine by the end of the month. To make that easier Devoted Health has partnered up with Publix pharmacy. They’re providing flu shots at health fairs across Florida. Everyone who receives a flu shot will also receive a $10 Publix gift card.
This past year, Florida ranked 48th in the nation with only 35.6% of the population receiving vaccinations. Health fairs like these are meant to improve these low coverage rates.
Sick seagulls
Sick and dying birds are showing up on the coast of Sarasota County.
The bird rescue group Save-Our-Seabirds took in nearly two dozen sick seagulls this past week. Several of those birds died after arriving at the clinic.
Researchers are doing tests to figure out if the deaths are linked to pollutants in the water. Beachgoers who spot a sick bird can call Save-Our-Seabirds or report it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Save-Our-Seabirds: (941) 388-3010
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: (888) 404-3922
Sarasota hits the Jackpot
A Sarasota woman claimed a million dollars today from a $5 Gold Rush Classic scratch-off that she bought at Publix.
Just yesterday, another resident claimed a million-dollar prize from a $30 Gold Rush special edition.
Credits:
Anchor: Mahmoud Bennett
Producer: Sonu Trivedi
Director: Austin Peet
Technical Director: Nathaniel Lovely
Graphics: David JonesAudio: Will Polston
Prompter: Jeslyn Santiago
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Reporter: Austin Peet
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
Faculty Advisor: Catherine Gugerty, Jeanette Abrahamsen
