Maryland
Maryland family's dog severely burned, neighborhood child suspected
FORT WASHINGTON, Md. – The Prince George’s County Fire Marshal is investigating a disturbing case of animal cruelty involving a family dog that was severely burned with a lighter.
The family believes a neighborhood child is responsible for the injuries.
Latricia Jones, the dog’s owner, spoke with FOX 5 about the condition of her 3-and-a-half-year-old pit bull terrier named Bear.
“He’s stable right now. He’s on antibiotics and pain meds, so I think the pain medication is kind of sedating him a little,” Jones said. “He is resting. Sometimes he cries.”
The incident has left the community in shock.
“We’re devastated. My entire family is devastated. The community is devastated. I have neighbors that have known the dog since he was 6 weeks old… they’ve come over and when they see him they’re crying,” Jones added.
Jones and her family suspect a 9-year-old neighborhood boy is responsible for Bear’s injuries.
Their doorbell camera captured images of the boy entering and leaving their backyard.
Jones believes the boy used a torch lighter to burn holes in Bear’s back.
“Without actual footage showing him burning the dog it’s like they’re like, ‘well he didn’t do it,’ but he said he also didn’t go to the backyard. I have him on camera three times going into the backyard when no one else was around,” Jones said.
Veterinarians have informed Jones that Bear needs delicate surgery to remove his dead skin, which could cost around $10,000.
Disclaimer: The photos below may be disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
Dr. Marianne Bailey, a veterinarian from Annapolis, explained, “It’s reasonable that they were quoted a large amount because these wounds can be very difficult to manage. If this is a large dog with a large burn wound along its back, you’re probably looking at weeks if not months for this to heal. There could be complications along the way, and then he’s going to have a crazy scar down his back… and he may never have hair that regrows there ever again.”
Jones hopes the boy who allegedly caused Bear’s injuries receives professional help.
“I know he can’t go to jail. I don’t want to see him go to jail,” Jones said. “He’s 9 years old, but I want to see if maybe he gets some type of professional intervention, you know. I want his parents to be accountable and that they acknowledge that he’s done this. The police said it’s a minor, and there’s not a lot they can really do in a juvenile case like this.”
Prince George’s County Police and the Fire Marshal’s Office have confirmed they are investigating the case.
As of now, no charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help raise money to treat Bear’s wounds.
Maryland
Multiple 911 callers report shots fired at Maryland’s Myrtle Point Park
ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. (7News) — An investigation is underway into a shooting at Myrtle Point Park in St. Mary’s County on Wednesday evening.
The sheriff’s office said multiple 911 calls were received around 6:53 p.m. alerting to shots fired. However, no injuries have been reported.
SEE ALSO | Man found dead after being run over by vehicle in Prince George’s County
Myrtle Point Park is a waterside park located in California, Maryland, with a beach, picnic area and trails. It remains closed Thursday while deputies continue to investigate.
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If you have any information on the shooting, call 301-475-8008.
Maryland
Storms move into Maryland Wednesday evening
Maryland
Md. Department of Education committee begins search for permanent Prince George’s schools chief – WTOP News
Current Superintendent Shawn Joseph was appointed June 2025 by County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) to replace former Superintendent Millard House II after the teachers’ union gave House a vote of no confidence.
This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.
The Maryland State Department of Education announced the next steps Monday in the process to find a permanent superintendent for Prince George’s County public schools, the state’s second-largest school system.
Current Superintendent Shawn Joseph was appointed June 2025 by County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) to replace former Superintendent Millard House II after the teachers’ union gave House a vote of no confidence.
Because Joseph’s position is for the current 2025-26 school year, state law requires a three-member search committee be named to help find a permanent leader.
State Superintendent Carey Wright selected state Board of Education member James Bell Jr. to chair the committee. Gov. Wes Moore (D) appointed two county residents, Jennifer Avelar and Gordon L. Sampson, to join the panel.
Avelar serves as a C.O.A.S.T. (Creating Opportunities for Academic Success and Transfer) adviser at Prince George’s Community College, managing pre-enrollment advising for recruitment and the dual enrollment program for high school students. Sampson worked in the county’s public schools as a teacher, instructional specialist and principal from 1969 until his retirement in 2000. He became a member of the Bowie State University Foundation’s board of directors in 2017 and served as chair for five years.
PoliHire, a Washington, D.C. based search firm, will partner with Braveboy and the county’s school board in a national recruitment effort to find the next superintendent.
The department said the firm helped solicit feedback from various stakeholders to not only develop a leadership profile, but also garner responses from about 8,600 people in a community survey “on school system perspectives and qualities in the next superintendent.” The survey ended Friday.
Candidates interested in the position must submit applications by April 22. Once received, the committee will work with the firm to screen applications, conduct background checks and interview candidates.
Three finalists will be forwarded to Braveboy by May 8.
Braveboy has until June 1 to forward a candidate to the county school board, which must make a decision by June 30. Once the county executive selects a candidate, which must be done by June 1, that person’s name will be sent to the county school board for its approval by June 30.
Final approval rests with the state superintendent, for a schools chief to serve a four-year term.
“We remain committed to a transparent, inclusive, and thoughtful process.” Bell said in a statement Monday. “Over the coming weeks, committee members will carefully assess each applicant’s qualifications, leadership experience, and vision for advancing student achievement and supporting our educators and school communities.
“The committee will keep the Prince George’s County Public Schools community informed as we move forward. Our goal is to recommend highly qualified candidates who will lead Prince George’s County Public Schools into its next chapter of excellence,” he said.
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