Latest details in Collier County daycare abuse revealedFort Myers Beach business owners awaiting information on trailers
Latest details in Collier County daycare abuse revealed On Friday, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office interviewed at least one more mom who sent her daughter to a daycare now under investigation for child abuse.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach business owners awaiting information on trailers Businesses around Fort Myers Beach have been anxiously waiting to hear whether or not they’re in the clear. FEMA said that all trailers and shipping containers that can’t be easily moved had to be off the island by Nov. 18.
Bear tears up car in Collier County A WINK News viewer from Collier County sent video of the damage after a bear destroyed their Dodge Durango.
PORT CHARLOTTE 17-year-old accused of murder to be tried as an adult A 17-year-old accused of killing his mother has been indicted and will be tried as an adult.
Naples World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday A World War II veteran is celebrating a huge milestone. Alfon Larson is celebrating his 100th birthday.
FORT MYERS Home and garden show this weekend in downtown Fort Myers It’s time to spruce up your home with a taste of the outdoors. This weekend is the 28th annual home and garden show in downtown Fort Myers.
Collier man arrested on multiple counts of child porn possession and transmission According to the Collier County Sheriff’s office, a Collier man is facing over four counts of possession and transmission of child sex abuse material.
New procedure to help ease rib pain You don’t have to be a top athlete to know the pain of a broken rib. Millions of people have experienced breaking or fracturing a rib or even several ribs.
FORT MYERS Music walk happening Friday evening in downtown Fort Myers It’s the third Friday of the month, so that means it’s time for Music Walk!
FORT MYERS 2 women critically injured; active deputy presence on Montgomery Ave. in Tice A heavy police presence has been reported on Montgomery Avenue in Tice.
Potbelly Sandwich Works opens first of eight SWFL locations Southwest Florida’s first of a planned eight Potbelly locations opened Sept. 20.
Pet for a Vet surpasses fundraiser goal, nearly $29k donated The Pet for a Vet fundraiser held by WINK News’ sister radio station, 96.9 WINKFM, easily surpassed its goal of $15,000.
Expert: Bank of America’s minimum wage increase is positive for SWFL banking industry Bank of America is raising its hourly minimum wage to $24 for full-time and part-time employees. This could be good news for the banking industry and customers in general, Florida Gulf Coast University Assistant Professor of Economics Krishna Regmi said.
Tim Aten Knows: Petar’s expands its local dining space A recent expansion of the local restaurant nearly doubled its size in the Center of Bonita Springs on the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Bonita Beach Road. The restaurant grew from 1,545 to 2,830 square feet over the summer. “It’s getting big,” said chef-owner Petar Al Kurdi.
FWC enlists landowner’s assistance in endangered panther conservation The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is enlisting landowner’s assistance for the Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services pilot program.
Latest details in Collier County daycare abuse revealed On Friday, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office interviewed at least one more mom who sent her daughter to a daycare now under investigation for child abuse.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach business owners awaiting information on trailers Businesses around Fort Myers Beach have been anxiously waiting to hear whether or not they’re in the clear. FEMA said that all trailers and shipping containers that can’t be easily moved had to be off the island by Nov. 18.
Bear tears up car in Collier County A WINK News viewer from Collier County sent video of the damage after a bear destroyed their Dodge Durango.
PORT CHARLOTTE 17-year-old accused of murder to be tried as an adult A 17-year-old accused of killing his mother has been indicted and will be tried as an adult.
Naples World War II veteran celebrates 100th birthday A World War II veteran is celebrating a huge milestone. Alfon Larson is celebrating his 100th birthday.
FORT MYERS Home and garden show this weekend in downtown Fort Myers It’s time to spruce up your home with a taste of the outdoors. This weekend is the 28th annual home and garden show in downtown Fort Myers.
Collier man arrested on multiple counts of child porn possession and transmission According to the Collier County Sheriff’s office, a Collier man is facing over four counts of possession and transmission of child sex abuse material.
New procedure to help ease rib pain You don’t have to be a top athlete to know the pain of a broken rib. Millions of people have experienced breaking or fracturing a rib or even several ribs.
FORT MYERS Music walk happening Friday evening in downtown Fort Myers It’s the third Friday of the month, so that means it’s time for Music Walk!
FORT MYERS 2 women critically injured; active deputy presence on Montgomery Ave. in Tice A heavy police presence has been reported on Montgomery Avenue in Tice.
Potbelly Sandwich Works opens first of eight SWFL locations Southwest Florida’s first of a planned eight Potbelly locations opened Sept. 20.
Pet for a Vet surpasses fundraiser goal, nearly $29k donated The Pet for a Vet fundraiser held by WINK News’ sister radio station, 96.9 WINKFM, easily surpassed its goal of $15,000.
Expert: Bank of America’s minimum wage increase is positive for SWFL banking industry Bank of America is raising its hourly minimum wage to $24 for full-time and part-time employees. This could be good news for the banking industry and customers in general, Florida Gulf Coast University Assistant Professor of Economics Krishna Regmi said.
Tim Aten Knows: Petar’s expands its local dining space A recent expansion of the local restaurant nearly doubled its size in the Center of Bonita Springs on the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Bonita Beach Road. The restaurant grew from 1,545 to 2,830 square feet over the summer. “It’s getting big,” said chef-owner Petar Al Kurdi.
FWC enlists landowner’s assistance in endangered panther conservation The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is enlisting landowner’s assistance for the Florida Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services pilot program.
Deysi Acosta Credit: The Collier County Sheriff’s Office On Friday, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office interviewed at least one more mom who sent her daughter to a daycare now under investigation for child abuse. On Wednesday, 54-year-old Deysi Acosta appeared in court. She’s free on a $10,000 bond, but her in-home daycare appears to be closed. WINK News searched and could not find a license for her daycare. This is a red flag for Jacqueline Stephens, CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collier County. “A family unlicensed daycare–there’s not a lot of eyes there,” said Stephens. Not a lot of adult eyes, but a child’s eyes led to Acosta’s arrest. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office report says an “Unknown 6 to 8-year-old female child” hid an iPad “So she could show it to the police.” She mentions to another child how the victim is being abused. “It’s just so sad to see anything like that happen with children,” said Stephens. Stephens told WINK she knew about the case and had reviewed the video. Although the baby is just 11 months old, could abuse like this impact his development? “Yes, it can have an impact on children that young, particularly when it’s ongoing and chronic. Abuse, it actually interferes with brain development, and you can see a difference on CAT scans and MRIs,” said Stephens. “So it could have a really devastating effect on kids.” The arrest report lists just one instance of abuse in July, but it paints a picture of what could have been going on inside the daycare. Let’s keep in mind that a six-year-old girl knew enough in advance to record the spanking. That got the attention of WINK News safety and security specialist Kristen Ziman, a retired police chief. “Obviously, this child had had the instinct and wherewithal to record the video of this occurring, which is just remarkable in this case,” said Ziman. “I don’t know what to say about that. That’s amazing,” said Stephens. Stephens told WINK News that even witnessing that kind of abuse could be traumatic for the little girl and everyone else. “Because her child is in distress, or it’s just a chaotic environment, and that is just not the best atmosphere for children to grow and develop in,” said Stephens. Stephens advises that parents looking for childcare should only use a licensed daycare because it typically has more than one adult and cameras that parents can watch. In an unlicensed daycare, you get what you get. WINK News did a background check on Acosta and only found a few traffic tickets. Nothing criminal. CCSO will not say whether they have identified more victims. One mom told WINK News a detective interviewed her on Friday after seeing the story air on WINK.