Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh AcresSchool District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 11, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office: Parent brings weapon to Lehigh Acres school According to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office report, there is probable cause to believe a woman unintentionally brought a firearm to school.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Most Wanted Wednesday: Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for December 11, 2024 Here are some of Southwest Florida’s most wanted suspects for Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
UPDATE: The state attorney’s office did not file charges in the case citing insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. WINK News’ previous reporting is below. 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.