Delaware
3 arrested for allegedly abusing special needs children at Delaware elementary school
SMYRNA, Delaware (WPVI) — Authorities in Smyrna, Delaware, have arrested three people in connection with the alleged abuse of nonverbal children with autism at an elementary school.
The investigation began in February 2024 when the Smyrna School District reported possible professional misconduct at Smyrna Elementary School.
Video in the player above is from a previous report.
According to Smyrna police, the investigation revealed that employees working in a special needs elementary classroom would allegedly throw objects at students, yell at them, and call them names.
31-year-old Makayla Lomax from Smyrna
One suspect, 31-year-old Makayla Lomax from Smyrna, is accused of striking a student in the face and spraying the same student with a water bottle as a form of discipline.
Investigators also believe that in the fall of 2022, two employees forced a special needs student to drink hot sauce and eat hot Takis. The student had a known digestive disability, according to police.
26-year-old Marrisa Johnson from Smyrna
Police say 26-year-old Marrisa Johnson from Smyrna and 21-year-old Morgan Donahue from Clayton were the employees involved in that incident.
Johnson has been charged with 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Lomax was charged with third-degree child abuse, offensive touching, and nine counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
21-year-old Morgan Donahue from Clayton
Donahue was charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Police have not released any further details on this investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Smyrna Police Department.
The Smyrna School District released the following statement on this incident:
“In February 2024, the Smyrna School District reported alleged wrongdoing by staff at Smyrna Elementary School to the Division of Family Services and the Smyrna Police Department. We have worked diligently with our law enforcement partners throughout the investigation. The community and school system have been patiently waiting the conclusion of those extraordinary efforts. We appreciate the diligence and thoroughness of law enforcement in bringing closure to this troubling matter.
The relevant employees have not been in the presence of our students since the district was made aware of the alleged wrongdoing. Most individuals alleged to be involved no longer work for the District. With regard to the remaining employees, the District will honor employee privacy rights with regard to separation of employment, and we will make our reports to the Department of Education’s Division of Licensure and Certification.
Student safety is of paramount importance to the Smyrna School District. We will continue to evaluate and improve all aspects of school safety. We will also continue to support our school community through this difficult time.”
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MUNCIE, Ind. — An Indianapolis man who was drunk when he caused a fatal head-on crash on Interstate 69 in Delaware County was sentenced Monday to 24 years in prison.
Walter Saucedo-Mendoza — who will observe his 32nd birthday this week — had pleaded guilty in Delaware Circuit Court 1 to two counts of causing death while driving while intoxicated and a single count of criminal recklessness.
According to Indiana State Police, Saucedo-Mendoza’s Kia Forte was traveling northbound in the interstate’s southbound lanes on Nov. 12, 2023, when it collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet Malibu driven by Victoria Elaine Cox, 32, of Fort Wayne.
Cox and her husband, Evan Daniel Cox, 26, were pronounced dead at the scene, near the 234-mile marker and the Indiana 32/67 interchange in Daleville.
Authorities said Saucedo-Mendoza’s blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.186 soon after the collision. In Indiana, a motorist with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is considered intoxicated.
State police said the Indianapolis man’s car was traveling at 88 mph at the time of the crash.
At Monday’s hearing, Judge Judi Calhoun imposed a pair of 11-year sentences, to be served consecutively, for Saucedo-Mendoza’s DWI convictions.
He received a two-year sentence, also to be served consecutively, for the criminal recklessness conviction, which stemmed from damage sustained by a third vehicle.
Calhoun said she took exception to references to the interstate crash as an “accident.”
“This wasn’t an accident,” the judge said. “It was a crime.”
Calhoun said Saucedo-Mendoza made decisions both to become intoxicated and to then drive.
She said the “carnage and destruction” from his actions would “never be forgotten.”
Deputy prosecutor Steve Sneed recommended that the Indianapolis man receive a maximum sentence of 26 years and six months in prison.
He said Saucedo-Mendoza’s crimes had taken “two wonderful, amazing, truly gifted individuals from this Earth.”
According to Sneed, the Indianapolis man began his wrong-way trip up the interstate’s southbound lanes in Hamilton County and traveled through Madison County before his deadly encounter with the Fort Wayne couple near Daleville.
Four witnesses — the parents of both crash victims — testified about the devastating impact the couple’s deaths had on both family and friends.
Angela Schaefer, Victoria Cox’s mother, urged Calhoun to “please send a message to society” in sentencing Saucedo-Mendoza.
“He snuffed out one of the brightest lights who ever walked this Earth,” she said of her late daughter.
Evan Cox’s father, Dobie, also urged the judge to send “a message that says choosing to get behind the wheel impaired … will not be tolerated.”
Saucedo-Mendoza said he was “extremely remorseful for my actions.”
He indicated he was contending with personal problems at the time of the crash and maintained he had not consumed alcohol since that time. He also said he since had undergone counseling and attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
“I understand there are no excuses for what happened,” he said, also noting that he was seriously injured in the collision.
His defense attorney recommended the Indianapolis man receive a 10-year sentence.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
Meteorological winter arrived Sunday, and roads and visitor use sites will be closing soon within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
The National Park Service has released an overview of what wintertime visitors can expect at the 70,000-acre federal parkland straddling the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border.
Winter is a time of reduced staffing and visitation to the park, meaning the park service needs to prioritize areas that remain open, according to a park service news release.
“Plowing and treating the main roads through the park is our top priority when we have snow and ice,” states Bill Tagye, the park’s facility manager. “Secondary roads, administrative buildings, and visitor use sites that remain open for the winter will be plowed after the main roads have been cleared and are safe for travel. Some roads will receive no winter maintenance and others will be closed.”
Of the more than 150 miles of dirt and paved roads within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the few determined to be of highest priority for snow and ice removal and treatment provide critical access to and through the park, including emergency access. They also provide routes for residents living within park boundaries to get to and from their homes, according to the release.
Visitors should bear in mind, however, that during and after winter weather events, roads may be snow-covered and driving may be hazardous. Even high priority roads may be closed temporarily if conditions deteriorate faster than road crews can keep up with or in the event of equipment failures or breakdowns. If that occurs, these roads will be re-opened as soon as park staff can get them cleared for travel.
Otherwise, anticipated closures will go into effect on Jan. 2, 2025, or at the first significant snowfall, whichever comes first. Most sites will re-open on April 15 while others will re-open in May.
The park service breaks down the priority areas and closures as follows:
Pennsylvania roads
Route 209 is the top priority road for winter maintenance and treatment in Pennsylvania.
River Road in Pennsylvania will receive no winter maintenance and will be closed prior to snow and/or ice events and re-opened when conditions permit. Zion Church Road will be plowed after River Road has been opened.
New Jersey roads
In New Jersey, the top priority roads that will remain open during the winter months are:
- Route 602 (from Millbrook Village to the National Park Service boundary).
- Route 615 except sections that are closed due to an active landslide and a road washout.
- Pompey Ridge Road to Route 615.
- Old Mine Road between Flatbrookville and Pompey Ridge Road.
- Old Mine Road between Millbrook and Flatbrookville.
Old Mine Road closures are planned as follows:
- The section of Old Mine Road between the northern boundary of Worthington State Forest and Millbrook Village and the dirt section of Old Mine Road near Van Campen Inn will be closed for winter.
- The northern section of Old Mine Road between Mettler Road and the intersection with Route 206 will receive no winter maintenance: This 4-mile section of road will not be plowed or treated for ice and may be closed if safety hazards arise. Depending on the weather, roads may be snow-covered and icy. Travel on this section of road is at your own risk. Cellphone service is not reliable.
Other New Jersey roads:
- Blue Mountain Lakes Road will be closed to vehicles at the bottom of the hill prior to a storm and will be re-opened when conditions allow. When the road is closed, visitors may walk, ski or snowshoe on the road to access the Blue Mountain Lakes trailhead, Skyline Drive, Crater Lake and the Appalachian Trail.
- The National Park Service section of Mountain Road will be closed to vehicles for the winter. The historic bridge over the Flatbrook in Walpack Center remains closed indefinitely due to substantial structural damage.
- Jager Road, from Old Mine Road to the park boundary, will receive no winter maintenance.
Visitor use sites
Walkways and parking lots will normally be cleared within 72 hours of the end of a storm, according to the release.
River access: River access will be available at Dingmans Access, Milford Beach and Bushkill Access. These areas will be closed temporarily during a storm and re-opened after priority routes are clear and safe for travel. River ice may limit access depending on conditions. The park service does not clear river ice from launch areas. Eshback Access will remain open but will receive no winter maintenance.
Trail access: All trails that are currently open will remain open during the winter, but trailhead parking will be dependent on conditions and may be limited in some areas. Road closures may also affect access to some trails. Trailhead parking areas that will remain open during the winter months will not be cleared of ice and snow until after all priority routes are clear and safe for travel. Trails are not maintained or groomed and may be ice- or snow-covered during the winter months.
Additional notes about trail access include:
- McDade Recreational Trail parking areas will be plowed after all other roads and facilities have been completed (except Jerry Lees and Venturo, which will receive no winter maintenance).
- The parking lot and access road to Dingmans Falls will remain closed to vehicles from Jan. 2, or the first significant snowfall, to April 15 but the trail will remain open, and visitors may walk, ski, or snowshoe on the roads leading to the falls.
- The upper parking lot for Raymondskill Falls will be closed from Jan. 2, or the first significant snowfall, to April 15 but the lower parking lot will remain open, as conditions permit.
- The parking lot for George W. Childs Park will be closed from Jan. 2, or the first significant snowfall, to April 15.
- The Cliff Park trailhead parking area will receive no winter maintenance and will be open as conditions allow.
Park service officials note that restrooms are available at the Kittatinny Point Picnic Area, Blue Mountain Lakes parking area and Millbrook Village in New Jersey and in Pennsylvania at Dingmans Access, Bushkill Meeting Center, Bushkill Access, Hidden Lake, Toms Creek and Milford Beach.
Visitors can use this Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Guide to help orient themselves to closures and areas without winter maintenance. It’s included below for viewing on some web-based platforms.
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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Wilmington, Del. (December 2, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery will showcase “EnvironMental Just(ice) Mercy,” an exhibition by 2024 Established Artist Fellow Lori Crawford. The exhibition runs from December 6–27, 2024, with a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, December 6, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Lori Crawford, a Dover-based artist and tenured professor at Delaware State University, has been creating art for nearly three decades. Her latest body of work represents a transformative period in her artistic practice, inspired by the escalating effects of climate change. “I am determined to channel feelings of fright, anger, and frustration into creative expression,” says Crawford.
Originally from Mount Rainier, Maryland, Crawford has lived, worked, and taught in Delaware for over 25 years. Trained in digital media and painting, she recently expanded her practice to include photography and multimedia, repurposing discarded materials and artworks to create dynamic pieces. Her works highlight the urgency of climate action by juxtaposing natural beauty with destructive forces like volcanic ruins, aiming to inspire respect for the planet and encourage environmental responsibility.
“Climate change brings extreme weather—heat waves, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires—which affects my mental state,” Crawford explains. “But a trip to Hawaii, where I captured breathtaking seascapes, reminded me of the contrast between nature’s beauty and its destruction. This exhibition reflects those dualities.”
Crawford’s work draws inspiration from artists like Jacob Lawrence and the soulful music of blues legends such as Etta James and Nina Simone, which she listens to while working in her home studio.
The Mezzanine Gallery is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building at 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. It is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.
Images in the banner: “A Volcanic Abstraction” (2024), photography, 24”x36”.
###
Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.
Related Topics: Delaware State University, Individual Artist Fellowship, Lori Crawford, Mezzanine Gallery, mixed media, photography
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Wilmington, Del. (December 2, 2024) – The Delaware Division of the Arts’ Mezzanine Gallery will showcase “EnvironMental Just(ice) Mercy,” an exhibition by 2024 Established Artist Fellow Lori Crawford. The exhibition runs from December 6–27, 2024, with a Meet-the-Artist Reception on Friday, December 6, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Lori Crawford, a Dover-based artist and tenured professor at Delaware State University, has been creating art for nearly three decades. Her latest body of work represents a transformative period in her artistic practice, inspired by the escalating effects of climate change. “I am determined to channel feelings of fright, anger, and frustration into creative expression,” says Crawford.
Originally from Mount Rainier, Maryland, Crawford has lived, worked, and taught in Delaware for over 25 years. Trained in digital media and painting, she recently expanded her practice to include photography and multimedia, repurposing discarded materials and artworks to create dynamic pieces. Her works highlight the urgency of climate action by juxtaposing natural beauty with destructive forces like volcanic ruins, aiming to inspire respect for the planet and encourage environmental responsibility.
“Climate change brings extreme weather—heat waves, tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires—which affects my mental state,” Crawford explains. “But a trip to Hawaii, where I captured breathtaking seascapes, reminded me of the contrast between nature’s beauty and its destruction. This exhibition reflects those dualities.”
Crawford’s work draws inspiration from artists like Jacob Lawrence and the soulful music of blues legends such as Etta James and Nina Simone, which she listens to while working in her home studio.
The Mezzanine Gallery is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building at 820 N. French Street, Wilmington. It is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The Mezzanine Gallery, open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is located on the second floor of the Carvel State Office Building, 820 N. French Street, Wilmington.
Images in the banner: “A Volcanic Abstraction” (2024), photography, 24”x36”.
###
Contact: Andrew Truscott, Program Officer, Marketing and Communications
302-577-8280, andrew.truscott@delaware.gov
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit arts.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8278.
Related Topics: Delaware State University, Individual Artist Fellowship, Lori Crawford, Mezzanine Gallery, mixed media, photography
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
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