Delaware

Landlord accused of targeting homeless families in Delaware | Investigation

Published

1 year ago

September 20, 2024

Landlord accused of targeting homeless families in Delaware | Investigation

NEW CASTLE, Delaware (WPVI) — Several homeless families say they signed leases with the help of New Castle County officials for homes that weren’t delivered.

Some used government funds to secure the housing.

The home in question is located at 7030 Woodland Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.

When the Investigative Team stopped by the property, it appeared vacant. A peek in the window also showed a home in disrepair.

The home was supposed to be a sanctuary for David Rogers, who was unhoused, and his 13-year-old daughter.

“You know, my back was to the wall because I didn’t have any other option except to pursue that one,” he said.

At the time, Rogers was staying at the New Castle County Hope Center, which provides housing and support for homelessness.

With his 90-day stay coming to an end, he told the Investigative Team his county case worker gave him contact information for Toure Henderson who claimed to run a company called Wealth of Society.

Wealth of Society claimed to be in the real estate, cars and construction business, according to a 2019 YouTube video.

“He says he’s working with the town. He’s done this before. He’s placed other families in places. Call him,” recalled Rogers.

Rogers did make that call. He said Henderson offered up that Woodland Avenue home in Philadelphia, even documenting in the lease that it would be furnished. His move-in was scheduled for January 1. Rogers scrounged up $2,200 from family and friends and signed the lease.

“The guy was sweating me so much for the money,” he added.

But the move never happened. So, Rogers went to his New Castle County caseworker for help and soon learned others had also given money to Henderson.

“So I went on, you know, all the websites,” said Shawntae Hughes. “Unfortunately, I even went on Craigslist. That’s where I met Toure.”

Hughes said she found herself homeless after a shooting at her Wilmington home last summer.

After several months at Hope Center, the state’s victim compensation fund gave her $7,200 to find a home. She signed a lease with Henderson for a November 2023 move-in date on that same Woodland Avenue property. But she said when it was time to move in, Henderson said it wasn’t ready and he bounced her from hotel to hotel for several weeks.

“January 1, he says, I’m done,” recalled Hughes. “I’m canceling your lease. You’re getting nothing else from me.”

Carrie Casey is with Hope Center. She alleges Henderson also took $6,600 in county money and didn’t deliver a home for another homeless woman.

David Rogers questions why the county referred him to Henderson without properly vetting the alleged landlord.

“We do not vet the landlords,” said Casey.

Casey said they tell all clients to vet any landlord or property themselves. She added that the Hope Center only aids in helping to locate housing for the homeless, which is often difficult because many landlords are reluctant.

The Investigative Team reached Toure Henderson by phone and he agreed to an interview. By phone, he denied any wrongdoing to our Chad Pradelli.

“Are you renting houses that are not ready to be rented out?” asked Pradelli.

“Absolutely not,” replied Henderson.

Henderson also blamed vandalism for his inability to rent the Woodland Avenue home.

“Do you have any rental licenses you could provide us?” asked Pradelli.

“I didn’t rent the property,” Henderson replied.

“What do you mean? You’re on the leases,” said Pradelli.

“How can you take deposits for properties that aren’t finished and don’t have licenses?” Pradelli pressed again.

“Because there is nowhere to rent thanks to your government,” Henderson replied.

Within a few days of our phone interview, Henderson wrote three checks totaling roughly $16,000 to New Castle County, the State of Delaware, and David Rogers.

Both Rogers and Hughes told us they did eventually find homes.

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Delaware

What is Delaware’s state dog? It’s not a particular breed

Published

5 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

What is Delaware’s state dog? It’s not a particular breed

Delaware has a several items that represent the state.

The First State has a state bird (Blue Hen chicken), a state flower (peach blossom), a state fish (weakfish) and a state dessert (peach pie). Delaware even has a state bug (ladybug), state wildlife (gray fox) and state butterfly (tiger swallowtail).

While all the symbols have their place, few tug at the heartstrings like the state dog.

What is Delaware’s state dog?

The state dog of Delaware is the rescue dog, which replaced the golden retriever in 2023.

Then-Gov. John Carney signed Senate Bill 37 into law in May 2023 to make the change. The designation was made to help bring attention to rescue animals in the hope of getting them adopted.

“That just elevates all animals in shelters,” Sara Smith, a Brandywine Valley SPCA spokesperson, said during an adoption event in 2024.

What are the country’s other state dogs?

Delaware is one of 16 states with official dogs.

Alaska — Alaskan malamute
Delaware — rescue dog
Georgia — adoptable dog
Louisiana — Catahoula leopard dog
Maryland — Chesapeake Bay retriever
Massachusetts — Boston terrier
New Hampshire — Chinook
New Jersey — seeing eye dog
New York — working dogs
North Carolina — Plott hound
Pennsylvania — Great Dane
South Carolina — Boykin spaniel
Tennessee — bluetick coonhound
Texas — Blue Lacy
Virginia — American foxhound
Wisconsin — American water spaniel

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Delaware

Widow of fallen Delaware state trooper launches foundation in his memory

Published

17 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Widow of fallen Delaware state trooper launches foundation in his memory

The widow of a Delaware state trooper killed in the line of duty last year has launched a foundation in his memory to support families of law enforcement officers.

Two months ago, Lauren Snook’s world looked different. Her husband, Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, a devoted father, husband, and friend, filled their house with laughter and love. Then in an instant, everything changed.

“He just went to work one day and didn’t get to come home,” Lauren told NBC10.

Two days before Christmas, Cpl/1 Snook, a 10-year veteran, was killed while working an overtime shift at the DMV in Wilmington, Delaware.

Lauren said that she was at their home, making salt dough ornaments in the kitchen with Letty, their 15-month-old daughter.

“When the two Tahoes pulled up out in front of my house. You know it, you see it in movies, you hear about it, and I knew. But I didn’t want to, and it took about 7 times for them to tell me he’s gone,” Lauren shared.

Lauren said the life they built together is now marked by a painful reality, learning to live without him. She clings to the memories and a bear with his uniform that Letty calls “Dada Bear.”

“On a quiet day, it’s totally ugly. I’ll grab his clothes that no longer have his scent, wear them, hold them, cry in his closet, grab his deodorant, dryer sheets, his cologne and make this scent cocktail, and I’m like bring me Ty back for a second and I’ll look at pictures, and then I look over at that cute little girl and see her smile and immediately see him because they share the same smile,” said Lauren.

Lauren explains that the grief isn’t just in the big moments; it’s in the quiet ones, too. She said Letty can feel it also.

“She knows. She waits by the baby gate at the top of the stairs. She grabs his shoes and sits in them so she knows. Before she knows her name,” Lauren said.

Lauren said that following Cpl/1 Snook’s death, she leaned on her faith and the support from others to help her through it.

“People have given so much of themselves, their heart to us, it’s a gift I know I can never repay, but it’s forever touched and shaped who I am,” said Lauren.

Through heartbreak, Lauren is choosing to turn pain into purpose by starting the “Ty Snook Foundation,” a community for families and children of law enforcement officers navigating life after losing a parent.

Lauren said, “Headlines fade, people go back to real life, but this is going to be Letty’s forever, it’s forever going to shape who she is, and I’m a firm believer that the community shaped us, and she needs her own community to talk about loss.”

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Delaware

Delaware Department of Correction seeking escaped offender – 47abc

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Delaware Department of Correction seeking escaped offender – 47abc

GEORGETOWN, Del. – The Delaware Department of Correction is seeking the public’s help locating an escaped offender.

54-year-old Adam Blades reportedly walked away from the Sussex Community Corrections Center in Georgetown after failing to return from an approved work pass.

The offender’s whereabouts are unknown and unauthorized at this time.

Community Corrections Centers are Level 4 facilities where the Department of Correction manages offenders who are transitioning back into the community.

These centers are not secured like Level 5 prisons, as offenders are permitted to leave the facility to go to work, seek jobs, or attend approved treatment sessions.

Anyone with information on Blades is asked to call 800-542-9524 or their local police department.

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