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California cops threaten to kill man’s dog if he does not falsely confess to killing father – who was still alive

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California cops threaten to kill man’s dog if he does not falsely confess to killing father – who was still alive


California cops have agreed to pay a nearly $1million settlement after they forced a confession out of a mentally unstable man by threatening to kill his dog if he did not falsely admit to murdering his father – who was alive and well. 

Thomas Perez Jr was questioned by police for over 17 hours in 2018 in an interrogation that amounted to ‘unconstitutional psychological torture,’ according to the judge. 

Perez reported his father missing to police. He was never formally arrested, but was still taken to the Fontana Police Department on August 8, 2018 to be questioned. 

He was told by officers that if he didn’t confess to murdering his father, they would have to put his dog to sleep due to ‘depression’ over witnessing a murder that never occurred. 

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After hours of interrogation, Perez became visibly distressed and resorted to self destructive acts including pulling his hair out, hitting himself and tearing off his shirt. 

He was told by officers that if he didn’t confess to murdering his father, they would have to put his dog to sleep due to ‘ depression ‘ over witnessing a murder that never occurred

The judge said he was ‘sleep deprived, mentally ill, and, significantly, undergoing symptoms of withdrawal from his psychiatric medications.’ 

Perez also had reportedly begged for medical attention but was never provided his psychiatric medication. 

He was told his father was found dead with stab wounds, however, police soon after found his father alive and well. Perez’s sister said her father was with a ‘lady friend.’ 

A detective reportedly told him: ‘How can you sit there, how can you sit there and say you don’t know what happened, and your dog is sitting there looking at you, knowing that you killed your dad? 

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‘Look at your dog. She knows, because she was walking through all the blood.’ 

After 17 hours of interrogation, Perez finally admitted to the crime he didn’t commit.

Perez also had reportedly begged for medical attention but was never provided his psychiatric medication. When the two interrogating officers left Perez alone in the room, he attempted suicide by hanging

Perez also had reportedly begged for medical attention but was never provided his psychiatric medication. When the two interrogating officers left Perez alone in the room, he attempted suicide by hanging

After 17 hours of interrogation, Perez finally admitted to the crime he didn't commit

After 17 hours of interrogation, Perez finally admitted to the crime he didn’t commit

When the two interrogating officers left Perez alone in the room, he attempted suicide by hanging. 

California Judge Dolly Gee ruled last June that the evidence in the case would convince the jury that the questioning amounted to ‘unconstitutional psychological torture.’ 

Footage of the interrogation was released, sparking outrage and a long legal battle before the city of Fontana, California, finally agreed to a $900,000 settlement.

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His lawyer Jerry Steering told the Orange County Register, ‘Mentally torturing a false confession out of Tom Perez, concealing from him that his father was alive and well, and confining him in the psych ward because they made him suicidal.’ 

‘In my 40 years of suing the police I have never seen that level of deliberate cruelty by the police,’ he continued. 

‘This case shows that if the police are skilled enough, and they grill you hard enough, they can get anybody to confess to anything.’ 

The city of Fontana, California, finally agreed to pay Thomas Perez Jr (pictured) a $900,000 settlement. Perez was questioned by police for over 17 hours in 2018 in an interrogation that amounted to 'unconstitutional psychological torture'

The city of Fontana, California, finally agreed to pay Thomas Perez Jr (pictured) a $900,000 settlement. Perez was questioned by police for over 17 hours in 2018 in an interrogation that amounted to ‘unconstitutional psychological torture’

After being coerced into confession, Perez was involuntarily admitted to a psych ward, where he remained in isolation for three days. Police never told him that his father was found alive. For three days, he sat alone in the psych unit believing that both his father and dog were dead

After being coerced into confession, Perez was involuntarily admitted to a psych ward, where he remained in isolation for three days. Police never told him that his father was found alive. For three days, he sat alone in the psych unit believing that both his father and dog were dead

After confessing, Perez was involuntarily locked away in a psychiatric ward. He was kept there in isolation for three straight days. 

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Police reportedly neglected to inform Perez that his father was still alive. His dog was also given to a shelter but later rescued, according to the Telegraph. 

For days, Perez sat alone in the psychiatric unit believing that both his father and dog were dead.

The police department has not specified whether the police officers involved will face any repercussions.  



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California

Placer County crews rescue baby, family from home surrounded by raging river

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Placer County crews rescue baby, family from home surrounded by raging river


PLACER COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) — Heavy rain and flooding impacted Northern California over the weekend, leading to rescues and evacuations throughout the region.

In Placer County, emergency crews carefully and slowly rescued a baby in a carrier, sliding it on a ladder over a rushing river.

The raging South Yuba River overtook the home, where nine people were rescued by the Truckee Fire Protection District.

As of Monday morning, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said an evacuation warning continues to be in effect for areas along the South Yuba River between Donner Pass Road and Cisco Road.

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The storm is also swamping parts of Humboldt County, where the sheriff’s office shared pictures of goats stranded on someone’s doorstep.

This is near the Freshwater area – near Arcata, where high water forced several evacuations.

Crews arrived in jet skis to assist residents.

In Redding, one person died after major flooding.

Water took over streets and entire neighborhoods.

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Several people had to be rescued, and Interstate 5 was also flooded, impacting holiday drivers.

LIVE UPDATES: Storms flood parts of NorCal with heavy rain as alerts expand to entire Bay Area

In Mendocino County, Willits received more than 6 inches of rain in 48 hours, flooding parks in the area.

With more rain in the forecast, rescue crews are prepared and people are reminded not to ever drive through standing water.

Copyright © 2025 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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Flash flooding in Northern California leads to soaked roads, water rescues and a death

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Flash flooding in Northern California leads to soaked roads, water rescues and a death


Dekoda Cruz walks through flood water while helping a friend who’s tire shop flooded during heavy rains on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, in Redding, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

REDDING, Calif. — Heavy rain and flash flooding soaked roads in northern California, leading to water rescues from vehicles and homes and at least one confirmed death, authorities said Monday.

In Redding, a city at the northern end of the Central Valley, one motorist died after calling 911 while trapped in their vehicle as it filled up with water, Mayor Mike Littau posted online Monday. Police said they received numerous calls for drivers stranded in flooded areas.

“Redding police officer swam out into the water, broke the windows and pulled victim to shore. CPR was done but the person did not live,” Littau wrote.

The weather in the coming days could be even more dangerous, he warned.

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The National Weather Service expected more rain through the Christmas week as a series of atmospheric rivers was forecast to make its way through Northern California. A large swath of the Sacramento Valley and surrounding areas were under a flood watch through Friday.

The weather pattern was expected to intensify by midweek, which could lead to potential mudslides, rockslides and flooding of creeks and streams, forecasters warned. Up to 6 feet of snow was predicted for parts of the Sierra Nevada and winds could reach 55 mph in high elevations by Wednesday.

Southern California can also expect a soggy Christmas, with heavy rain in the forecast starting Tuesday evening. The National Weather Service urged people to make backup plans for holiday travel.

In Redding and surrounding areas, between 3 and 6 inches had fallen by Sunday night, the National Weather Service said.

As of Monday morning, local roads in Redding remained flooded as street crews worked to clear debris and tow out abandoned cars.

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Dekoda Cruz waded in knee-deep muddy water to check on a friend’s flooded tire business, where the office was littered with a jumble of furniture and bobbing tires.

In the mountain pass area of Donner Summit, firefighters in Truckee extended a ladder to stranded residents at a house along the South Yuba River, the fire department posted online Sunday. No injuries were reported.

Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands of water vapor that form over an ocean and flow through the sky, transporting moisture from the tropics to northern latitudes.

Earlier this month, stubborn atmospheric rivers that drenched Washington state with nearly 5 trillion gallons of rain in a week, threatening record flood levels, meteorologists said. That rainfall was supercharged by warm weather and air plus unusual weather conditions tracing back as far as a tropical cyclone in Indonesia.





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Christmas storm still on track to hit Southern California. Here is when the heaviest rain arrives

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Christmas storm still on track to hit Southern California. Here is when the heaviest rain arrives


Southern California is preparing for a powerful winter storm over the Christmas holiday, with forecasters warning of heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and potential flooding across the region.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm will bring an extended period of significant rainfall from Tuesday through Saturday, with totals expected to reach 4 to 8 inches across coastal and valley areas and 8 to 12 inches or more in the foothills and mountains by Saturday evening. Officials are urging residents to take necessary precautions, as flooding and debris flows could pose serious risks throughout the week.

The first, and most impactful, surge of rain is expected Tuesday night into Wednesday, when a moderate to strong atmospheric river will target the area. During this period, rainfall totals could reach 2 to 5 inches in coastal and valley regions and 5 to 10 inches in foothills and mountain areas, with hourly rates of 0.75 to 1.25 inches possible. The extended rainfall and intensity raise concerns about widespread urban flooding, mud and debris flows, and hazardous driving conditions, particularly during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

A flood watch has been issued for all four counties from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening, and the National Weather Service recommends that residents begin taking protective actions now.

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In addition to heavy rain, strong southerly winds are expected Tuesday and Wednesday, particularly in the mountains and foothills, with the potential to knock down trees and cause power outages. Officials are advising residents to avoid swollen creeks and rivers, refrain from unnecessary ocean activity, and take precautions such as parking vehicles away from tall trees during periods of strong wind.

Forecasters emphasized that the timing and intensity of the storm could still change and encouraged residents to monitor updates from the National Weather Service and KTLA’s meteorologists.



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