4-Year-Old Found With Alcohol Poisoning, Family Looking For Answers
By Christine McCarthy (KUTV) The father of a 4-year-old girl with cerebral palsy is begging for answers after his daughter was found with alcohol poisoning last month.
Paul Silva has temporary custody of Le'A, who was three years old at the time, as Weber County Sheriff's detectives investigate the incident in which her mother called 911 to report her unresponsive at her Marriott-Slaterville apartment on April 11.
Le'A's mother had primary custody of her prior to the incident and Paul was allowed visitation every other weekend.
"I was at work and I got a call saying that my daughter is not breathing and she's getting rushed in the ambulance to the hospital," Paul said. "They did a bunch of tests and they ended up finding alcohol. Her blood alcohol [content] was way high."
Le'A's health was already comprised. She is on a feeding tube and breathes with the help of a tracheostomy tube. She can move her head slightly but cannot walk or crawl.
"From day one, she's had a G-tube for her feeding. She gets pumped milk into her, and she eats every three hours," Paul said.
Le'A was treated at both McKay-Dee Hospital and Primary Children's Medical Center. She underwent dialysis as part of her treatment and was eventually sent home, Paul said.
Paul and his family members say, because of her condition, Le'A couldn't have come into contact with alcohol by herself, and they are calling for charges to be filed against anyone who might be responsible.
"There's no possible way that she could feed herself, so it has to be an adult that has to provide that for her," said Crystal Silva, Le'A's aunt. "Put someone away for what they were doing to her."
The Silvas are not accusing Le'A's mother of poisoning her, but they believe she could be to blame because she primarily took care of the girl with the help of a home care nurse.
"Never forgive somebody for that, but they need to pay," said Le'A's uncle Brian Vega. "How can you even fathom doing this to a little girl?"
Detectives are actively investigating the case and testing is being conducted on Le'A's ingestion rates and alcohol levels. No criminal charges have been filed, but the investigation could head in that direction, according to Lt. Mark Lowther of the Weber County Sheriff's Office.
2News reached out to Le'A's mother by phone and at her home, but made no contact. Officials have not indicated she is suspected of poisoning Le'A.
(KUTV) A proposed nuclear power plant outside of Green River has sparked an energetic debate in a small Utah community. A company wants to build a nuclear power plant in this desolate area of southeastern Utah, which might be good news for a town that has been struggling through rough economic times and needs the jobs.However, there are some major environmental concerns about nuclear power. Some of the local residents are were scared when they found out about the proposed plant and environmentalist are fighting hard to keep the power plant out of Utah.Rod Decker will have the story to this controversial proposal coming up tonight on 2News at 10.
(KUTV) The Utah Highway Patrol says five people were injured Sunday morning after a vehicle rolled on I-80 near mile marker 88.
Troopers say the 19-year-old driver of the vehicle drifted off the left side of the road, then over-corrected causing the Ford Explorer to roll multiple times--ejecting three of the occupants.
All of the occupants were taken to Salt Lake and Tooele area hospitals with serious injuries.
Utah Department of Public safety said that only one of the occupants was wearing a seat belt. The vehicle was estimated to be traveling at 90 miles per hour and rolled some 750 feet before coming to rest on its wheels.
I-80 was shut down for approximately 45 minutes while three medical helicopters landed and transported the occupants for medical care.
Man Shot and Killed For Allegedly Pointing A Rifle At Police
(KUTV) Evanston police have released new details into the officer involved shooting that killed a man Saturday night.
Police say Naim Keith Labaki fired a shot in front of home in Evanston, Wyoming and then drove to a sporting goods store and demanded weapons from a store clerk.
When he was denied, he fired a shot in front of the store. A high speed chase ensued after officers located Labaki's vehicle traveling at a high rated of speed.
An unmarked police vehicle rear ended Labaki's vehicle, disabling it. Police say the suspect then lifted his rifle and pointed it at the officers.
He was then shot by police. Mayor Joy Bell says it was a shock because an incident like this rarely happens in this small Wyoming town.
The suspect was pronounced dead upon arriving at Evanston Regional Hospital. Police say the officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Utah Soldier Among Latest Casualties In Afghanistan
(KUTV) 21-year-old Cody Towse from Utah County is among the latest U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan.
Towse was reported missing after an improvised explosive device detonated close to where the Army Private First Class was standing.
The family was informed by the military of the situation this week. Late Saturday night 2News was able to confirm that Towse was indeed, killed in action and we spoke with his family and friends.
"He died for a noble reason, because he went there to save lives." said Jim Towse, Cody's father. There were dozens of flags outside the Towse home courtesy of the local Boy Scouts.
Brad Drayton was Cody's one-time scout leader and friend
of the family. Drayton said Cody was always looking for ways to serve
the community.
"As a scout leader, it was fun to have him in the troop, he always made people laugh and always made scout camp an exciting time."
"He felt a tremendous sense of duty to serve, he served in our community as an EMT since he was 19. He's always been looking for ways to serve and help out his fellow man," Drayton said.
(KUTV) Four people were taken to the hospital after a three-car crash last night. The accident happened in Saratoga Springs on State Road 73 around 9:30 last night.
Officials say a man was driving westbound towards Eagle Mountain when his pickup crossed into traffic. The pickup hit an SUV head on, causing it to roll and eject the driver. The pickup then went on to hit another SUV before coming to a stop.
Six people were injured in the accident. Two were flown in critical condition to area hospitals. One of them being a child who was strapped in a car seat. Investigators believe distracted driving might have been a factor in the crash, but say they are still looking into the cause.
Thousands Head To Idaho Hours Before Powerball Drawing
By Christine McCarthy (KUTV) Thousands of Utahns lined up at stores in Idaho border towns, hoping to hit the biggest jackpot in Powerball history and the second largest lottery ever.
"We stood in line in the rain for two and half hours, and we just got the winning tickets right here," said Bob Kelly, who drove from Magna, Utah, to the Chevron store in Malad, Idaho, for a chance at the $590.5 million jackpot.
Powerball players traveled hours to Malad to wait in the line that wrapped around the store and outside, despite their slim odds.
"What is it? If I buy one ticket, one in 175 million? Not good," said Jeremy Miller, "but somebody's got to win."
Many already had the money spent in their minds before getting close to the register.
"Maybe I'd just put it in savings, quit my job, go on vacation, give some money to charity," said Carlos Macias.
The jackpot climbed after drawings over about six weeks before Saturday night's drawing. Powerball Lottery announced the winning numbers to be 22, 10, 13, 14 and 52 with the winning red Powerball number of 11.
"Just want to take a shot at it, and you never know," said Ogden resident Laura Ponce de Leon."
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love is officially announcing she wants another shot to challenge Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson in 2014.
Love made the announcement Saturday while addressing delegates at the Utah Republican Party's annual organizing convention.
Love narrowly lost to Matheson last November in one of the country's most heavily GOP districts.
The race was one of the most expensive in Utah history, with the candidates spending a combined $11.2 million.
Had Love won the election, she would have become the first black, female Republican elected to Congress.
Love had previously filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and said she was seriously considering another run, but had not made an official announcement until Saturday.
