Latest news with #DeLoach
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved Hallmark Movie Actress, 45, Shares Update on Family Health Crisis
Nikki DeLoach is one of the Hallmark channel's fan-favorite stars, and her movies always bring people so much joy, hope, and all the warm fuzzies. She has a knack for making you fall in love with each and every character she plays through her genuine nature, which clearly echoes her off-screen persona as well. DeLoach is very active on social media, and she hasn't been shy about sharing her personal struggles on Instagram. Some fans might not realize that her son, Bennett, 8, suffers from heart issues, which require regular trips to the hospital each year for check-ups on his condition. Here's a post she shared from 2023: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nikki DeLoach (@nikdeloach) Yesterday, she shared another heartfelt update on his ongoing health crisis on Instagram, after a trip to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. She started the post off with, "Every six months, Bennett and I make our way to @childrensla for his heart check-up. I have a routine. Morning prayers. I cover myself with every item that gives me strength." She also said, "... these healthcare professionals are actual heroes. We literally cannot live without them." See DeLoach's full update on her son here. Luckily, as DeLoach explained, all checked out okay for Bennett on this visit: "Bennett's heart check-up was uneventful which is exactly what you pray for. 'Heart holding strong. No intervention needed yet.' Any mama who has been in a health crisis with their child prays for the 'uneventful.' And we could not be more blessed and grateful." Plenty of well wishes poured in for DeLoach and her son, including from fellow Hallmark stars. Ashley Williams said, "You blow me away. ❤️❤️," and actor Cameron Mathison added heart emojis as well. Fans also sent kind words to DeLoach, with one saying, "Amazing ❤️ As someone who has gone through heart surgeries myself, this hits home. Always grateful after every check up to hear my doctor say all is well. Blessings to you all!"Another added, "Warrior Bennett, Warrior Mama, Warriors of CHLA!!! They are needed, and they press on toward the miracles. Thank you for being strong and for soldiering on. We need the miracles of you all every day." It's so wonderful to hear that Bennett got a good report, and we can only imagined how relieved DeLoach must be. She's an incredible mom of an incredible kid! 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Beloved Hallmark Movie Actress, 45, Shares Update on Family Health Crisis first appeared on Parade on May 27, 2025
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Community Corner: Abbie DeLoach Foundation hosts annual scholarship luncheon
On Thursday, April 17, the community will come together to celebrate local scholars and the tremendous impact one person can have on countless lives during the Abbie DeLoach Foundation Scholarship Luncheon. Now in its ninth year, the foundation will celebrate a record 27 students from Savannah State University, University of Georgia, Georgia Southern University, Mercer University, Savannah Christian Preparatory School, Groves High School, Myers Middle School and Woodville Tompkins High School who reflect Abbie's spirit, passion, and dedication to nursing, education, and athletics. Jimmy DeLoach is Abbie's dad and the founder of the foundation. He sat down with WSAV's Kim Gusby to talk about her enduring legacy. Click the arrow in the video box to watch our interview. You can make a donation to the Abbie DeLoach Foundation or find more information here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Yahoo
Beaufort man pleads guilty to illegally importing, selling sperm whale teeth and bones
A Beaufort man pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to charges related to illegally trafficking endangered sperm whale bones and teeth. Lauren DeLoach, age 69, was charged under the Lacey Act, the county's oldest wildlife protection law, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court, Beaufort Division. As part of a plea agreement, the local artist and fossil hunter admitted to illegally importing, possessing and selling sperm whale teeth and bones. Violations of the Lacey Act carry up to a 5-year prison term and a maximum fine of $250,000. The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits importing marine mammals except for a limited number of educational and research related situations. Violating the act calls for a maximum of one year in prison, according to documents associated with the case. The sentencing date is not yet set. DeLoach declined to comment following the proceeding. His lawyer Nathan Williams said DeLoach made a mistake but is looking to put the incident behind him. Sperm whales are the largest species of toothed whale and have been listed as an endangered species since 1970, according to the National Wildlife Federation. People collect the whale's teeth and bones for use as decorations and as a painting or scrimshaw medium, according to documents filed in the case. A single tooth can sell for hundreds of dollars. The investigation revealed DeLoach imported sperm whale and teeth from countries including Australia, Norway, Ukraine and Latvia. Further investigation found that DeLoach then proceeded to sell the teeth and bones on eBay, according to statements made by Elle Klein, assistant United States attorney for the district of South Carolina, during the hearing. In total, the number of sperm whale teeth and bones DeLoach sold on the site totaled over $18,000. The investigation began when officials at the John F. Kennedy International Airport opened a package from Norway addressed to DeLoach. While the 10 teeth inside the package were labeled as plastic, further analysis by an official with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found the teeth were in fact sperm whale teeth, according to statements Klein made during the hearing. Further investigation found that DeLoach had instructed overseas suppliers to label the packages containing the teeth and bone as plastic to avoid seizure by U.S. authorities. A search warrant executed on his residence found $20,000 worth of sperm whale parts. It is unclear when DeLoach began trafficking the sperm whale bones and teeth, but the plea agreement filed in district court states that he was engaged in the process by at least September 2021 and continued until September 2024. While the sperm whale population was once 1.1 million strong, industrial whaling practices in the 19th century decimated the population in pursuit of whale oil, according to the National Wildlife Federation. Today the population stands at around 300,000, and still face risks due to ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.
USA Today
11-04-2025
- USA Today
South Carolina man pleads guilty to illegally selling sperm whale teeth and bones
A South Carolina man pleaded guilty to importing and selling sperm whale teeth and bones, a violation of federal wildlife laws, the Justice Department announced. Lauren H. DeLoach, 69, of Saint Helena Island, admitted to importing sperm whale parts to South Carolina, including at least 30 shipments from Australia, Latvia, Norway, and Ukraine, between 2021 and 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of South Carolina. Prosecutors said DeLoach instructed suppliers to label items as "plastic" to bypass U.S. customs detection and sold at least 85 items on eBay. During a search warrant, authorities seized about $20,000 worth of sperm whale parts from DeLoach's residence. DeLoach admitted to selling the teeth and bones from July 2022 to September 2024, prosecutors said. Sperm whales, protected under the Endangered Species Act and other international agreements, are prized by poachers for their parts and sold in the illegal market. The Lacey Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) are enforced to protect vulnerable species, said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. "Illegal wildlife trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar global business that endangers protected animals and fuels organized crime," Andrews said in a statement. "We will continue to enforce the Lacey Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act so vulnerable species like the sperm whale are not killed and sold for parts." DeLoach faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the felony Lacey Act charge and a maximum one-year prison sentence for the misdemeanor MMPA violation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement investigated the case. 'Commitment to bringing justice to those who exploit protected wildlife' Nathan Williams, DeLoach's lawyer, told USA TODAY that DeLoach "regrets his actions and that they are not representative of the otherwise productive life he has led" and looks "forward to getting this behind him." U.S. District Judge David C. Norton accepted DeLoach's guilty plea and will sentence the South Carolina man after reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Doug Ault said that whales are among the most vulnerable to illegal harvest fueled by commercial interests. "The illicit trade in sperm whale teeth and ear bones contributes to the monetization of at-risk marine mammal populations that America protects through federal laws and international treaties," Ault said. "As part of 'Operation Raw Deal' — a nationwide crackdown on the illegal trade in whale parts — this investigation demonstrates our commitment to bringing justice to those who exploit protected wildlife for profit." Latest incident involving protected wildlife DeLoach's case is the latest incident involving protected wildlife to make headlines. In February 2025, California wildlife officials announced that three people were convicted and fined for the unlawful possession of protected and endangered animals. Their crimes were exposed after two people revealed to plain-clothes wildlife officers that they were smuggling an endangered sea turtle's skull on a flight. "Wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest organized crime in the world, after drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and human trafficking," according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Contributing: Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@ Follow her on X @KrystalRNurse, and on BlueSky @
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Children's Advocacy Center starts child abuse prevention month with pinwheel ceremony
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — April marks the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the Children's Advocacy Center kicked off the month with its annual Pinwheel Ceremony. Hundreds of colorful pinwheels now decorate the CAC campus, symbolizing hope and the commitment to protecting children. Students from local schools participated in placing the pinwheels, each representing the national symbol for child abuse prevention. Justin DeLoach, Chief Executive Officer of the Children's Advocacy Center, emphasized the importance of the event. 'Today was our annual Pinwheel Ceremony, which kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month for our community,' he said. 'Even though April is the national month for Child Abuse Prevention, we hope that our community observes Child Abuse Prevention 365 days of the year. Today is just to remind everybody what we can be doing to protect kids in our community,' DeLoach added. April Fools' Day is celebrated with pranks and hoaxes worldwide This statement reflects the CAC's mission to raise awareness and promote year-round vigilance against child abuse. The pinwheel, representing childhood innocence, is a symbol of the freedom every child deserves. 'Pinwheels are the whimsical feel that we hope every child in our community has,' DeLoach explained. 'Just as the wind blows through a pinwheel, we hope children in our community are free and worry-free. It is the national symbol of childhood abuse prevention.' Sheriff Nick Hanna also spoke at the event, emphasizing the role of law enforcement in preventing child abuse. 'Our role is to intervene, identify victims, and the Children's Advocacy Center gives us tools that we use on a daily basis,' Hanna said. The partnership between law enforcement and the CAC is crucial for identifying and helping children who have suffered abuse. 'The CAC served over 5,800 children and families through services, training, and outreach,' the Sheriff explained. 'The Department of Family and Protective Services conducted over 900 investigations in Tom Green County, with over 250 cases of child abuse,' Hanna added. DeLoach highlighted the importance of community involvement in preventing abuse. Sutton law enforcement searches for wanted escapee 'This turnout is a reminder that children still need us. We are their strongest voice, and it starts with the community. We are all mandatory reporters in Texas. If you suspect something, we hope you'll stand with our children,' DeLoach said. The event was a reminder that child abuse prevention is a shared responsibility. The sight of hundreds of pinwheels spinning in the wind symbolizes hope for a future where every child is free from abuse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
