Special Ed Teacher Accused of Having Sex With Her Student

June 5, 2014, 10:16 am

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A Northeast Philadelphia middle school teacher turned herself in on Wednesday after she allegedly had "consensual" sex with one of her special education students several times.

Stephanie Amato, an eighth grade special education teacher at Ethan Allen Elementary School, was arrested and charged after prosecutors accused her of carrying on a "consensual" sexual relationship with her student.

Investigators say one of Amato's 14-year-old male students told the school counselor that he had sex with Amato several times at her home and in her car between March and April of this year. School officials then contacted police.

• Special Needs Student Drowns During Class Field Trip

Amato, 30, was immediately removed from the school pending the investigation and was not allowed to have contact with students. She has been suspended with pay.

Amato surrendered to Special Victims Unit detectives on Wednesday and was later arraigned on eight counts including unlawful sexual contact with a minor, child endangerment and indecent exposure. She left custody after posting 10 percent of $125,000 bail, according to court records.

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Photos posted Tuesday on Amato's Facebook page show her smiling with a group of teenage boys in her car. NBC10 spoke with two of the teens in that photo who told us they believe she is innocent. 

A letter was also sent home to parents of students at the school alerting them of the situation.

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Can the School Budget Crisis Be Fixed?

June 5, 2014, 3:56 pm

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Another school year is coming to an end and school, city and state leaders are battling over the budget AGAIN. NBC10's Christine Maddela is live at City Hall with the full story.

GM Recall Fallout

June 5, 2014, 3:57 pm

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Local GM car owners react to the recall. NBC10's Doug Shimell has the full story.

Tent City Leaders Enraged by Buyout

June 6, 2014, 1:22 am

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A $3500 buyout  was given to some of the homeless in Ocean County to abandon their residences in a controversial tent city, but encampment leaders say the money shouldn’t have been dished out.

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Supporters and residents of the controversial encampment on township-owned land in Lakewood took to the street to protest its shutdown, which could come as early as next week.

“It’s wrong,” said tent city supporter Leigh Ann Lough. “It’s wrong, it’s wrong, it’s wrong.”

• Special Education Teacher Accused of Sex With Student

“You can’t just push people away,” a resident said.

But township officials say the tent city is dangerous and have been destroying tents and shacks there for months – while providing more than 50 of the encampments 120 former residents with free housing for a year in compliance with a court order in the township.

Others took buyouts of up to $3500 to help pay for their housing.

Now, leaders and supporters of the tent city are mad, saying that the buyout shouldn’t have been dished out to people who don’t know how to spend the money.

“If you take somebody who is desperate and dangle that carrot in front of their face, of course they’re going to grab it,” said Lough.

One man used the check to buy a car. That car was towed for being unregistered, according to tent city coordinator Steve Brigham.

NBC10’s Ted Greenberg reached out to local leaders who haven’t responded for comment. They, however, say in a previous interview that tent city residents can protest all they want, the encampment is still going to be shut down.

Building Collapse: One Year Later

June 5, 2014, 4:57 pm

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NBC10's Harry Hairston investigates changes made one year after the collapse of a building on 22nd and Market.

Photo Credit: AP

Historic Church's Restoration

June 5, 2014, 8:23 pm

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NBC10's Na'eem Douglas explains the efforts to keep Ewing Presbyterian Church in Mercer County open.

Parishioners Rally to Save Church

June 5, 2014, 8:34 pm

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Hundreds of Bucks County parishioners from St. Ann’s showed strength in numbers Thursday, demanding the Archdiocese keep their church open. NBC10’s George Spencer reports.

Baby Bear Spotted in NJ Tree

June 6, 2014, 3:29 am

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A baby bear was stuck in a tree near a school in Paramus for a few hours on Thursday.

The bear, thought to be a yearling between 1 and 2 years old, was spotted in a tree near the Parkway School on Ridgewood Avenue.  

After a few hours in tree as police watched from below, the 98-pound bear was tranquilized by state wildlife authorities and it fell from the tree.  

The cub will be tagged and taken to a sanctuary in northwest Jersey, authorities said.   

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Sentencing in Jersey Shore Homicide

June 6, 2014, 2:58 am

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Tamasa Nobles will be sentenced Friday after the 2012 stabbing death of Devon Devine in Ventnor, N.J.

Elderly Man Dies in House Fire

June 6, 2014, 4:05 am

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An elderly man died after flames tore through his longtime home overnight.

• 'Quiet Game:' Officials Say Substitute Teacher Went Too Far

A firefighter was also hurt battling the blaze at a home along the 300 block of South Egg Harbor Road in Winslow Township.

According to local authorities, firefighters responded to the scene around 2 a.m. Friday.

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Crews pulled Edward Liberto from the home but it was too late.

"Once we got on scene we got the report of entrapment, our guys were able to get in... the victim was removed and it has been confirmed that the victim is deceased," said Winslow Township Fire Chief Terry Osborne.

• 'Fight for Your Right:' Hip-Hop Icons Win $1.7M Suit

Liberto was in his 80s and family members said he lived in the area for his entire life.

A firefighter at the scene also reported chest pains from smoke inhalation and was hospitalized. Osborne said that firefighter is expected to be OK.

The cause of the single-home fire remained under investigation Friday morning.

In a sad twist, Liberto recently helped to bury his brother after that brother was struck and killed while crossing Route 73.

Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Pocono 400 Weekend Kicks Off With Parade

June 6, 2014, 3:02 am

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NASCAR fans flocked to the first of its kind celebration as Gov. Tom Corbett waved the green flag.

South Philly Speakeasy Busts

June 6, 2014, 3:44 am

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The operation took place inside two South Philadelphia locations and netted three arrests.

Photo Credit: Joe Corrigan/Getty Images

Motorcycle, Pickup Truck Collide, 1 Hurt

June 6, 2014, 10:09 am

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A pickup truck collided with a motorcycle this morning in Philadelphia landing the bike rider in the hospital.

• WATCH: Elderly Man Dies in Fire 1 Week After His Brother Died

The crash caused traffic troubles at Richmond Street and Girard Avenue in the Port Richmond section of the city.

• Paying Child Support, 'the Ideal Father's Day Gift'

The rider was taken to Hahnemann Hospital with serious injuries, according to investigators.

The cause of the crash remained under investigation.

Traffic continued to get by the scene but some delays could be expected along the roads that lead to Interstate 95.

Photo Credit: SkyForce10

Man Dies After 9 Shots Ring Out

June 6, 2014, 4:28 am

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A man tried to drive away after someone opened fire at least nine times on him along a South Jersey street.

• Paying Child Support, 'the Ideal Father's Day Gift'

The victim died at the scene along the 1400 block of S 9th Street in Camden, New Jersey Friday morning.

• Elderly Man Dies in Fire 1 Week After His Brother Died

According to County Police, a man in his 20s was sitting in a car when someone approached him at Atlantic and 9th Streets around 3 a.m. Th gunman fired at least nine shots.

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Police said that after being shot multiple times, the man tried to drive away -- his shot up car was found half a block up 9th Street.

He died on the scene.

No immediate word on a motive or suspects in the case.

Photo Credit: NBC10.com

Teacher Taped Kids' Mouths: Parents

June 6, 2014, 8:19 am

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A substitute teacher in New Jersey won't be allowed to fill in again at an elementary school after she allegedly taped shut the mouths of several students last week, officials say. 

The teacher was working at the Winfield Scott Elementary School in Elizabeth and placed decorative tape over the mouths of five students during a "quiet game" after lunch, according to parents and officials. 

One of the students, Angelique Correa Henderson, said she felt "pressured and scared" as the teacher taped her mouth "because we were jabbering too much." 

"My heart kept on beating fast," she said.

Angelique's father, Munford Henderson, is outraged. 

"I don't understand what she was thinking," he said. "We're talking about kids. You're sworn to protect and teach, not to hurt them and put them in fear." 

Other parents at the school were equally concerned. 

"You don't do that to anybody, especially kids," said Marie Yacinthe. "You don't do that." 

As police and state officials investigate, Angelique's father wants to make sure the teacher is permanently barred from the classroom.

"She does not need to be teaching and being around kids if she can't control her emotions and the way she presents herself around kids," he said.

The teacher has been taken off the list of substitutes for consideration at the school, officials said. She had no previous record of issues or difficulties.

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SUV Slams Into Building, 1 Hurt

June 6, 2014, 9:37 am

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One person landed in the hospital after a sports utility vehicle crashed into a building in Northeast Philadelphia this morning.

• 9 Shots Ring Out, Man Dies in Car

The SUV rammed up onto the sidewalk along Bustleton Avenue near Robbins Street and the Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia around 8:15 a.m. Friday.

Medics rushed one person to Aria Health - Torresdale Campus with undisclosed injuries, according to firefighters.

• Border Agents Make Mega Pot Bust

The cause of the wreck remained under investigation Friday morning.

As SkyForce10 hovered overhead a short time later you could see police looking at the vehicle, which appeared to have stopped against some sort of staircase.

Photo Credit: SkyForce10

K-9 Subdues Suspect After Police Assault

June 6, 2014, 5:59 am

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A shoving match between two people Thursday escalated when one man began attacking police officers who were at the scene.

• Teacher Taped Kids' Mouths Shut in 'Quiet Game': Officials

Cops responded to reports of a disturbance at the Millbridge Apartment Complex in Clementon, Gloucester County around 8:45 p.m. and found 35-year-old Gregory Lawson was engaged in a physical altercation, according to reports.

The officers escorted Lawson away from the scene, but he began screaming obscenities and refusing to cooperate -- drawing the attention of neighbors who began emerging from their apartments, according to officials.

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At that point, police arrested Lawson for disorderly conduct, but he resisted and struck the cops, according to authorities.

A struggle ensued, leading to the deployment of K-9 Arrow who assisted in subduing the suspect.

• Man Dies After 9 Shots Ring Out

Lawson was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, where he was cleared for incarceration.

He faces multiple charges including disorderly conduct, aggravated assault on police officer and resisting arrest, according to police. He is being held at Camden County Jail on $15,000 bail.

Platt Bridge Closed This Weekend

June 6, 2014, 6:55 am

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Authorities are closing the George C. Platt Memorial Bridge for three days so crews can complete maintenance work.

• Special Ed Teacher Calls Students 'Stupid'

The Platt Bridge, which takes drivers along Route 291 across the Schuylkill River in southwest Philly, will close at 8 p.m. Friday and will reopen Monday at 5 a.m.

Detours will be in effect.

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For travelers heading eastbound, follow Island Avenue to Enterprise Avenue to I-95 North to Broad Street to Pattison Avenue to Route 291.

Drivers heading westbound should follow Pattison Avenue to Broad Street to I-95 south to Enterprise Avnue to Island Avenue to Route 291.

PennDOT suggests padding travel time.

• Flying Manhole Cover Kills Driver

During the closure, crews will place an epoxy overlay on the western end of the bridge to protect the surface and prevent moisture from developing, according to PennDOT officials.

This job is part of a $42.8 million project to preserve the Platt Bridge. Officials expect to complete the work in July.
 

Judge Unleashes on "Pottymouth"

June 6, 2014, 10:04 am

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A fed-up Broward judge went off on a defendant in bond court Thursday, after the man told prosecutors not to "bring that s--t up" from his long list of prior cocaine charges.

"You have a pottymouth in this courtroom. You should be ashamed of yourself — especially with your criminal record, you should be ashamed of yourself," Broward Circuit Judge John Hurley said.

"You've got the gall to use profanity like you're disgusted that we're reading off your criminal record. Well, you've got some chutzpah, you've got some real chutzpah!" Hurley finished, capping a tirade against 46-year-old Kevin Banning, who appeared before him on cocaine and drug paraphernalia possession charges.

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The state prosecutor had first read several prior charges from Banning's record, dating back to the 1990s, among them 13 counts of cocaine possession as well as marijuana possession, lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under 12 years of age and DUI. Prosecutors also said Banning currently has another open cocaine case.

"Don't bring that s--t up. That was a long time ago," Banning said, interrupting as the prosecutor read the charges.

• VIDEO: Man Named Cocaine Appears in Court on Drug Charge

Judge Hurley responded by saying, "Oh, I'm sorry, are we offending you, sir?"

He went on to say Banning seemed like a hardened criminal who's lived a life of crime.

"Reading off someone's criminal record when they're in criminal court again — you know, if it hurts his feelings, I'm sorry, sir," Hurley said. "You keep breaking the law, so I'm sorry if we offend you by reading your criminal record."

Once the prosecutor finished reading the charges, Banning's defense attorney explained that his client's molestation charge had been reduced to child abuse.

"It's not you, Mr. Connor," Hurley responded. "The man standing next to you is rude, he's profane, and he lacks respect for the court. Now I don't care if he has respect for me, I'm just a man in a robe, but he should have more respect for a court room instead of using that profane language."

Banning is being held on $7,600 bond.

Photo Credit: NBC 6 South Florida

46 Years Later; Missing Girl Case Solved

June 6, 2014, 10:49 am

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The 46-year-old case of a missing Philadelphia girl has been solved.

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DNA results have confirmed that one of two bodies exhumed from Potter's Field in Berks County, Pa. is 14-year-old Sandy Stiver, who went missing with her 16-year-old sister-in-law Martha Stiver in 1968, according to the Berks County Coroner and Pennsylvania State Police.

Ahead of a police news briefing addressing the identities of the two bodies discovered in October 2013, Sandy's sister told NBC10 she knew the two Jane Does were Sandy and Martha.

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Authorities have yet to identify the second set of remains as Martha.

Hazel began to suspect the discovered remains were her family members after finding a description of two unidentified female victims who had been murdered in 1968 on The Doe Network website.

The teens were last seen near the intersection of Frankford and Kensington avenues in the city's Frankford section during the early summer of 1968, according to PennsylvaniaMissing.Com, a website that tracks missing and unidentified persons in the state. 

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The Stiver family had recently relocated to Philly from Kansas City, Mo. and relatives believed the two girls were heading back to their former hometown, the site says.

Most of the Stiver family now lives in Ohio. They are working to have the remains returned to their home as Sandy's mother is now in her eighties and would like to see her daughter put to rest.