Missouri mom sues landlord over fire that killed her three kids
The Springfield News-Leader reports that Violet Watson is asking in excess of $25,000 in damages in the suit filed this month in Green County.
The March 2010 fire killed 7-year-old Alexis Watson, 5-year-old Kelsey Watson and 4-year-old Devin Watson. The children's grandfather was seriously injured.
Initially, Violet Watson's then-fiance was charged with setting the fire. But the charge was dropped after laboratory tests found no trace of an accelerant. The cause of the fire is listed as undetermined.
The lawsuit says the landlords failed to maintain a safe property for the home's residents. The suit says there were smoke alarm issues and that the house had "faulty wiring."
Child found safe after Amber Alert issued
< The Springfield News-Leader reports the child, Harmony Blue, was in the car with an older child when the car was taken from a store parking lot Saturday afternoon. Police say the children's father left them and the keys in the car while he was in a store and briefly chased after the car on foot.
The older child was dropped off nearby and recovered by police.
Springfield police Lt. Brian Phillips says the young girl was reunited with her family Saturday evening and the car was recovered, but he declined to release details.
There was no arrest reported.
Springfield, MO handcuffed man who fled patrol car still missing
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Law enforcement officers are looking for a Springfield man who managed to escape a patrol car while in handcuffs.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 31-year-old Nicholas Ray Gamblin fled last Wednesday. He was in the patrol car after being taken into custody for allegedly stealing a truck and gathering chemicals to make methamphetamine.
Patrol spokesman Sgt. Jason Pace says the officer double locked the handcuffs behind Gamblin's back and put him in the front seat of the patrol car.
Gamblin fled when the trooper began searching the pickup truck.
The Springfield News-Leader reports an in-car camera showed the man turned around in the seat, opened the door behind his back and ran from the vehicle.
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