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Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
St. Johns County mother sentenced to prison for 2018 house fire that killed son
A St. Johns County woman accused of burning down her home in a 2018 fire that also killed her son has been sentenced to 3 years in prison followed by 5 years of probation. Michelle Taylor was charged with second-degree manslaughter and faced up to 13 years behind bars after her 11-year-old son died in the fire. On October 18th, 2018, Michelle Taylor, her son David, and 18-year-old daughter Bailey were at their home on Lee Street in St. Augustine when their house caught on fire. Taylor and her 18-year-old daughter made it out of the house safely, but her 11-year-old ran back into the home to save their family dog, according to the State Attorney's Office. He died from smoke inhalation and severe burns. Nearly three years later, in August 2021, Taylor was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and felony arson. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Investigators say she was trying to get insurance money from the house and later received a $90,000 check from her homeowner's insurance company. According to our previous reporting, fire investigators with the State Fire Marshal determined several areas inside the house tested positive for gasoline. On April 2nd, 2025, Taylor entered a no-contest plea for second-degree manslaughter in exchange for the murder charge being dropped. The arson charges were dropped at the sentencing as part of the plea agreement. During the hearing, the defense called upon seven witnesses, including Taylor's husband, daughter, and mother. Taylor herself took to the podium and delivered a very emotional testimony about how much she loved her son David. 'The day that he died, I died,' said Taylor. The State Attorney's Office called several witnesses as well. Taylor will only have to serve two and a half months in Florida State Prison, as she already served 33 months in the St. Johns County Jail. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Jacksonville teen escapes abuse and homelessness to graduate high school
One Jacksonville teen went from being homeless to a high school graduate, escaping abuse and rebuilding her life along the way. Thanks to the helping hands of a local program, the teen found safe housing and is now back in school, working, and planning for college. At just 18, Juliana Alcantara—who goes by Jay—has already faced more than most her age. 'I was with my mom at the time, and it was just like a bit of unstable housing due to substance abuse and such, and the safest option for me was to come and stay with my brother,' Jay said. After fleeing abuse between the ages of 15 and 16, Jay moved to Jacksonville seeking safety. For a while, she found it living with her brother—until he returned to South Carolina, the very place she was trying to escape. 'And go back there I feel like in a having to relive it even more,' she said. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] With nowhere else to turn, Jay found Daniel's Project Prepare at the age of 17—a local program that offers housing, life skills, and support to homeless and at-risk youth. She moved into the Independent Living Village last year, and everything began to change. 'Within like the short span. I'm now here and I have my own job and I can find my own transportation and I've been able to take up like a lot more responsibilities,' Jay said. Now at age 18, Jay graduated just last week from Fletcher High School. 'Once I was getting towards the end of school, like wow, I'm actually gonna graduate, and then like a couple days later it was like actually happening,' she said. She's now working part-time and looking ahead to college, with dreams of becoming a cosmetologist—or even a firefighter. 'And we are proud of her because she did it,' said Daniel Kids Program Director Carmella Prescott. Prescott said she's seen hundreds of teens in similar or worse situations than Jay over the past six years. '500 to 600 kids, most of them being successful, we're usually the 90% success rate because we're so intense,' she said. Nationally, more than one in four people experiencing homelessness are under age 25. 19% are children under 18, and 8% are young adults between 18 and 24, according to the 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report. Jay said to always trust the timing of things—because she believes you'll always end up at the destination where you want to be. SHARE PHOTOS OF GRADUATES IN YOUR LIFE: [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Human trafficking is everywhere. This new app makes reporting it quicker and easier
A new, first-of-its-kind app is now operating nationwide, empowering everyone to safely and anonymously report possible instances of human trafficking. This may involve either commercial, coerced sex or forced labor. Earlier this month, Safe House Project, Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC) and other advocates announced the national launch of Simply Report. The free mobile app allows downloaders to submit tips through its chat, which will provide guidance and share the information with the most appropriate law enforcement agency, if necessary. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The actual number of human trafficking instances is hard to pin down. According to the Florida Department of Children and Families' annual report, however, it received 2,137 reports of human trafficking in the 2023-24 year. Nearly 83% involved children reportedly living with a parent or other caregiver. 148 of all the reports came out of Duval County. In addition to reporting resources, the app also offers 24/7 support services for survivors in need. 'Simply Report protects survivors' anonymity and safety by ensuring that no information is shared with law enforcement without the survivor's expressed consent. Simply Report is trauma-informed and survivor-led,' said Safe House Project Here is how you can download the app:Apple,Google Play You can also reach out to Florida law enforcement directly by calling the human trafficking hotline at 1-855-FLA-SAFE. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Amelia Concours d'Elegance named 4th Best Car Show of the Year on USAToday list
The Amelia Concours d'Elegance car show was once again listed at number 4 in USAToday's '10 Best Car Shows of the Year' list. It's the second year in a row The Amelia has come in at No. 4 on the list. The Amelia takes place in Amelia Island each year and is often described as the 'beauty pageant for rare and vintage cars.' The event usually features over 300 vehicles from collections around the world. People in attendance get to view vehicles from 35 car classes, enjoy live entertainment and relax in the Bavarian beer garden. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Here are the shows that came in just ahead of The Amelia: No. 3: MSRA Back to the 50's Weekend, St. Paul, Minnesota No. 2: Triple Crown of Rodding, Lebanon, Tennessee No. 1: Cruisin' The Coast, Mississippi Gulf Coast CLICK HERE to view the full list of winners. [DOWNLOAD:Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Jacksonville police make arrest in East Arlington beauty store shoplifting case where owner died
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has made an arrest in the December 2024 shoplifting case at an East Arlington beauty store where the owner was killed. David Pulliam Jr., 29, remained in the Duval County jail Thursday morning on $100,000 bond. He was arrested on April 10, according to jail records. He's facing charges of petit theft and resisting while committing theft. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Police said Pulliam stole $289 worth of merchandise from Beauty Max, 11900 Atlantic Blvd., and ran out of the store to a car that was waiting for him. The owner of the store, Ilson Kim, 64, ran after the shoplifter who got into a car that was waiting for him in the parking lot of the Kernan Village shopping center. Kim was runover and died from her injuries. Another woman, Tashina Dobbins, 41, was arrested two weeks later and charged with felony petit theft. She's now wanted after missing her court date Monday. A Duval County judge has issued a warrant for her arrest, according to court records. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Duval teacher concerned she has measles, turned away from being tested: What you should know Read: Palatka pastor arrested, accused of sexual assault against a child Read: Duval County Public Schools employee arrested, accused of abusing student [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
