Content warning: This article contains information about child sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised. Report child sexual abuse to local law enforcement and contact the DCFS 24/7 hotline: 855-323-3237. For more information, visit dcfs.utah.gov.
Utah
Utah restaurant workers spot federally-protected egg-bearing lobster, work quickly to save her
LAYTON — Staff members at Red Lobster are being praised for their sustainable efforts after noticing something out of the ordinary.
On Tuesday, Supervisor Dean Adams noticed one crustacean in the new shipment the restaurant received looked odd. Based on it’s posture in the restaurant’s tank, he thought it may have died.
“They curl their tail in and then the lobster goes up and the claws are just in the water, like above the water,” Adams said.
He and a manager plucked it out of the water to inspect it.
“We went to open the shell to see what was going on, and some of the eggs fell into the tank,” Adams said. “That’s when we realized it was a female.”
An egg-bearing female was mistakenly sent to the restaurant.
“I was surprised because we’re not supposed to get any females,” Adams said.
He and his co-worker contacted Nikki Smith, the restaurant’s general manager. Smith, who’s worked for the company for 25 years, said she’s never seen or heard of a situation quite like this, but she faintly remembered a policy and protocol.
“I had in my mind like, ‘Hey, we’re supposed to send it back, we’re supposed to get it back to the ocean if she has eggs on the outside of her tail,’” she said.
A Red Lobster employee pulls lobster out of the water on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (Shelby Lofton, KSL TV)
Lobster going back to ocean
Smith called some people from corporate. She heard back from Ready Seafood, which supplies Maine lobsters to Red Lobster.
“He thought it was really cool…my manager and Dean had actually seen the eggs expunged, like actively going from inside to outside,” Smith said. “They said, ‘We’ll pick it up tomorrow, we’ll have her back by Thursday and in the ocean by Friday.’”
Team members worked delicately to separate the female lobster from the rest and save as many eggs as possible.
“We got some wet cardboard, some ice packs, packed her up, put some paper towels on top of her to keep her cool, and FedEx came and picked her up and took her back,” Smith said.
Smith received a video from a lobsterman with Ready Seafood showing the lobster being released back into the waters of Maine.
“Whirlwind trip for her. Maine to Utah to Maine in four days,” Smith said.
Protected for life
The lobster got a V-notch to mark that she’s a breeder. The conservation technique protects her for life.
Thousands of her eggs went back into the water with her. The lobsterman known as Captain Curt showed her being released into a “safe spot” in deep waters in the video.
“I’m sure not all 10,000 lobsters make it, but even if just a few do, it’s a great way to take part in being sustainable,” Smith said.
Back in the water, this lobster can continue the reproduction cycle.
“I’m very proud of my team for having the instinct to say, ‘Hey, let’s do something about this,’” Smith said.
Instead of ignoring it, they took action.
“I think she must have known that they would take care of her. So, they really were good about making sure she was taken care of, checking in on her,” Smith said. “It was like she’d become just a part of the family.”
It became a lesson in conservation over the dining table.
“They did a good job and it was awesome to see her get back to Maine,” Smith said.
Now that the female lobster has a notch in her tail, she’s illegal to keep, even when she releases her eggs.
SALT LAKE CITY — The “Flame of Hope” made its way to the Utah State Capitol Wednesday morning as Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement came together for the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The event is part of a 45-year tradition that raises awareness and support for Special Olympics athletes while strengthening the partnership between law enforcement and the community.
Paralympians ski in shorts and T-shirts, and some ask: Shouldn’t these Games be earlier?
“Law enforcement across the country teams up with Special Olympics chapters throughout the country and we do a torch run which is a fundraiser,” said Bill Newell, Law Enforcement Torch Run Council Chairman.
Organizers say the goal goes beyond fundraising — it’s about visibility and recognition for athletes across Utah.
“We want them to be recognized. We want the community to see these athletes and what tremendous people they are and what great contributions they make,” Newell said.
For athletes, the Torch Run is also a chance to be seen and celebrated for their accomplishments.
“I would like to thank the First Lady, Commissioner Mason, Chief Reed, Special Olympics Utah and everyone who joined us today. Thank you for being here. Because of you, athletes like me are seen, heard and celebrated,” said Special Olympics athlete Josh Roberts.
The Torch Run will continue across Utah throughout the month, leading up to the Special Olympics Utah Summer Games in Cedar City on May 28.
“Join us in Cedar City for the Special Olympics Utah Summer Games. Come cheer, come celebrate and be a part of something very special. It’ll be the best thing you’ll do all summer,” Roberts said.
Law enforcement agencies across the state will continue participating alongside Special Olympics athletes as the Torch Run moves from community to community ahead of the final leg in Cedar City.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — A Utah father has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing and raping his juvenile daughter in their home.
The 55-year-old man, who ABC4.com is not naming to protect the identity of the victim, has been arrested on 11 counts of sodomy on a child (first-degree felony), six counts of rape of a child (first-degree felony), three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child (first-degree felony), and one count of rape of a child (first-degree felony),
According to court documents, on May 5, officers with the St. George Police Department received a Division of Child and Family Services referral regarding a sex offense. The referral claimed that the 55-year-old man was sexually abusing his juvenile daughter in their home.
The victim was taken to the Children’s Justice Center for a forensic interview. She reported that her father would perform sexual acts on her, as well as force her to perform sexual acts on him.
During an interview with police, the father admitted to sexually abusing and raping his juvenile daughter. He was then arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail where he is being held without bail.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Maricopa County officials used Snapchat to locate a missing 17-year-old girl allegedly held and assaulted by a man recently released on sexual assault charges. FOX 10’s Andrew Christiansen learns more about how he held the teen against her will at his Litchfield Park home.
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