Tennessee
couple sues for $15 million, claim children wrongly taken for Tennessee DUI, child abuse charges
An Alabama couple filed a nearly $15 million federal lawsuit claiming Tennessee authorities unjustly took their children from them after they were arrested on DUI and child abuse charges they alleged stemmed from insufficient evidence.
Nicholas and Elizabeth Frye said it took them nine months to regain the custody of their two children, according to the lawsuit they filed Tuesday against the city of Sevierville, the Sevierville Police Department, three Sevierville police officers and the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
The suit, which accuses the defendants of violating the parents’ and children’s rights against illegal seizure, among other claims, seeks $14.98 million.
A spokesman for Sevierville said the city “does not generally comment in regard to ongoing litigation.”
On Feb. 24, 2024, the Fryes were at a Tennessee resort celebrating one of their children’s seventh birthday when Elizabeth Frye slipped and fell on concrete. The family then headed to the Walmart in Sevierville to pick up medical supplies.
After exiting the parking lot, the lawsuit claimed, Sevierville Officer Laura Franklin stopped the family’s car for “no justifiable reason sounding in reasonable suspicion or probable cause.”
Franklin, the lawsuit claimed, accused the Fryes “of being intoxicated and/or impaired,” and the parents “explained the situation and denied any level of intoxication or impairment.”
Officers Jacob Rademacher and Camden Davis helped Franklin helped Franklin test the parents’ sobriety.
The lawsuit claimed blood was taken from Nicholas Frye but it was not an immediate test to determine if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol “as the ultimate blood results for Nicholas Frye show the absence of drugs and alcohol in their system at the time of arrest or otherwise that would show probable cause that Nicholas Frye was intoxicated.”
Yet probable cause was determined to exist and both parents were arrested, the lawsuit alleged.
Franklin arrested the parents on numerous charges, according to the lawsuit, “including DUI, public intoxication, child abuse and neglect and aggravated child abuse and neglect.”
After taking the parents into custody, Franklin or another Sevierville officer notified the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services while the Fryes’ children were taken to police headquarters “where they were detained until their grandmother arrived from Alabama,” the lawsuit claimed.
A Tennessee DCS agent allegedly prevented the Fryes from seeing their children and took their custody away “without any evidentiary basis and without probable cause.”
“From Feb. 25, 2024, it took more than nine months for the Frye parents to regain custody of their minor children,” the lawsuit stated.
The Fryes and their children, according to the lawsuit, are undergoing mental health treatment for their “significant mental and emotional anguish.
While the parents “suffered deleterious effects to their reputations,” the children have had similar struggles in school and have fear of police officers and government officials, the lawsuit claimed.
Tennessee
Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
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Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
Tennessee
Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3
Tennessee baseball will look to salvage the final game of the SEC series against Ole Miss.
The Vols (25-14, 7-10 SEC) play Game against the No. 23 Rebels (29-11, 10-7) on April 19 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Ole Miss has been on a roll. The 8-1 win on April 18 against the Vols moved the Rebels to eight straight wins. It got an ace-level start from Cade Townsend and a grand slam from Tristan Bissetta to secure Game 2.
Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA) will start for the Rebels. Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA) will be on the mound for Tennessee.
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss live updates
What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss on today?
- TV channel: SEC Network+
- Live stream: ESPN app
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss game times
- Game 3: April 19 (1 p.m. ET)
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss probable pitchers
- Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA)
- Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA)
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