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.”
Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Delaware
Police identify victim of Wilmington motorcycle crash
What to do if you come across a serious car accident
Here is some information about what to do if you come across a serious car accident.
State police identified 29-year-old Brian Silva of New Castle as the victim of a fatal motorcycle crash in Wilmington.
Silva was riding a Harley-Davidson northbound on Dupont Highway approaching Millside Drive in Wilmington around 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 when it collided with the rear of a stopped Lexus at that intersection, police said. Silva was ejected from the motorcycle. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.
Delaware State Police are still investigating this incident, and anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to them or to Delaware Crime Stoppers.
Delaware
When will Delaware warm up? After snow, ice Tuesday, temps will rise
Ever seen a spring peeper peep?
A spring peeper singing in the Millsboro area.
Meteorological winter has ended and we’ve entered spring.
However, there’s still a last winter blast hitting Delaware early this week before a spring warm up hits at the end of the week.
Here’s a look at the Delaware forecast.
Will Delaware see more snow?
After a brisk Monday, March 2 with sunny skies and highs only reaching 35 degrees, there’s a chance of snow after 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 with freezing rain after 4 a.m. in New Castle County. Snow and freezing rain are expected before noon Tuesday, March 3. The county may receive less than a half inch of accumulation.
In Kent County and Sussex County, there’s a chance of snow and freezing rain after 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.
When will it warm up in Delaware?
It will start feeling like spring as warmer air moves into the First State on Tuesday evening, March 3, but wet weather is coming as well.
Rain is predicted from Tuesday, March 3 through Friday, March 5, but spring-like temperatures will make it bearable. In New Castle County temperatures will range from the mid-50s on Wednesday, March 3 to the 60s on Thursday, March 4 and Friday, March 5. Kent County should see temperatures in the 60s and Sussex County will see 70s during the mid- to later part of the week
What’s the weekend forecast?
Remember when you were daydreaming about warm weather during the polar vortex or blizzard? Well, it is coming next weekend.
The forecast is calling for sunny to partly sunny skies throughout Delaware on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Highs will reach the upper 60s in the north to the low 70s in the south.
Delaware
Law enforcement increases security across Delaware Valley after U.S. strikes on Iran
PHILADELPHIA – Law enforcement agencies across the Delaware Valley are boosting security at religious and cultural sites following U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, even as officials say there is no credible threat to the area.
The Department of Homeland Security also issued an alert after Operation Epic Fury, warning agencies to remain vigilant for suspicious activity despite assessing that a large-scale attack on U.S. soil is unlikely.
Hours after the strikes, protesters gathered in cities nationwide. In Phoenixville, dozens rallied Saturday afternoon, calling the military action “senseless.”
“Stop the war. People are suffering in this country with food prices, rent, healthcare, money for the people’s needs here,” said Curry Malott, a West Chester University associate professor of educational foundations and policy studies.
President Donald Trump has said the joint operation would eliminate Iran’s nuclear and military programs and change the regime. Some demonstrators criticized the president’s decision.
“Trump has broken his campaign promises with no new wars, and here he is going into another,” said Kyle Horstmann of Phoenixville.
Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said in a statement that Iran poses a grave threat, adding, “Iran and its proxies are responsible for countless deaths of Americans and our partners. That record is long, deliberate, and undeniable-and it cannot be ignored.” He adds sustained military engagement should be done with consent of Congress.
Democratic leaders, including Senator Andy Kim, argued the president failed to seek congressional approval for the strikes.
“I have zero confidence in this president who has so flagrantly violated our constitution,” Kim said. He called for Congress to immediately reconvene to vote on a war powers resolution.
“I hope there can be unanimity that when it comes to strikes of this magnitude, when American service members lives are at risk, what greater responsibility do we have in Congress than to look out for our service members and the national security of our country?” he said.
The Homeland Security alert also warned of potential low-level cyberattacks targeting U.S. networks, adding another layer of concern for authorities monitoring threats at home.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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