Woman threatens man with gun, stabs him in Christmas Eve attack, Brevard deputies say
A woman faces an attempted murder charge after she threatened a man with a gun and stabbed him in the leg multiple times after he refused to spend Christmas Eve with her, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
Death investigation underway at Sorrento RV resort
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A death investigation was underway Sunday at the Wekiva Falls RV Resort, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the resort park in Sorrento Sunday on Wekiva River Road to discover the victims. Officials with the sheriff’s office said a death investigation is underway. It appears to be a murder-suicide and the victims were in a relationship at one time, deputies said. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish at 1-800-273-8255.
Amazon 4-Star donates gifts for victims of domestic violence
ORLANDO, Fla. – Victims of domestic violence at Harbor House will be able to shop a little easier this year for the holidays thanks to Amazon 4-star. The brick-and-mortar store located at Mall at Millenia donated dozens of top selling toys and items for women to help create a “Santa Shop” for families. “We heard Harbor House was in need of donations and we just knew we had to help and jump in,” Krista Selby, Store Manager at Amazon 4-star said. Selby said it took about 20 “Amazon elves” to pick out some of the most popular toys this holiday season for Harbor House. She said shopping this way will make things a bit easier for moms and kids at Harbor House.
Nonprofit gets new hoops for victims of domestic abuse with help from Shaq, Orlando Magic
Harbor House of Central Florida, a nonprofit that helps domestic violence victims, is getting the support from some big names. It was a big day for Harbor House of Central Florida whose mission is to provide shelter and support to women who are victims of domestic abuse. My father always taught me you have to protect and provide for your women,” O’Neal said. The women and staff at Harbor House will also receive special training from Close the Gap foundation. Start bringing people closer together and start taking care of the people that need our help the most,” he said.
Man accused of killing girlfriend, shooting roommate who tried to protect her
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – An argument between a couple escalated into a man killing his girlfriend and shooting their roommate as that woman tried to protect her, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The female roommate was also shot as she tried to shield Pequeen’s girlfriend, according to authorities. After the shooting, deputies said Pequeen pointed the pistol at the male roommate and demanded all their cellphones, which the man handed over. Records show Pequeen ran away from the apartment while the male roommate went to a neighbor’s unit to call 911. We will do everything we can to make sure justice is done in this case,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
It takes courage: Survivor encourages others to leave domestic violence situation
ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 sat down with Chrissy, a survivor of domestic violence, who was willing to share her story if we hid her identity for safety. It just got worse and worse over the years,” Chrissy said. It sounds easier than it is when you’re in the situation and you’re receiving death threats. ‘I’ll kill you if you call the police, I’ll find you if you leave... I’ll kill your family,’” Chrissy said. I’ve been able to focus more on my children and getting them the help they need,” Chrissy said.
Court advocacy, order of injunction free for domestic violence survivors
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Harbor House of Central Florida offers more than just a crisis hotline and emergency shelter for domestic violence survivors. With its own office inside the Orange County Courthouse, the advocates help survivors through the injunction process. Harbor House walks survivors through a safety plan, helps apply for victim relocation funding, referrals to legal aid and assistance in filing injunctions. Nearly 1,000 injunctions were filed in the past fiscal year through Harbor House, that’s up 27%. “We know that when the economy goes down, domestic violence goes up so we’re already seeing an increase in domestic violence, but it will increase more over the next several months so that’s why we need your help now,” Sperzel said.
'It takes courage:’ Domestic violence survivors encouraged to speak up
Two of those cases alone account for five of our domestic violence victims because of family violence. Harbor House of Central Florida is a domestic violence organization providing safe shelter, legal advocacy and other services to help domestic violence survivors and their families. The crisis hotline for Harbor House is 407-886-2856During the pandemic, Harbor House has had to lower the capacity for its emergency shelter to 50% so residents can socially distance. State Attorney Aramis Ayala said it’s also a community effort in helping domestic violence survivors get out of their situation and find help. Click here to make a donation to Harbor House and help domestic violence survivors throughout Central Florida.
Sanford woman found dead, son ‘covered in blood’ charged with murder, deputies say
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A 68-year-old woman was killed overnight Thursday at her home in Sanford and Seminole County deputies have arrested her adult son, charging him with second-degree murder. A spokesperson for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said when deputies arrived they found the victim, Vicki Savage, dead. “They could see that she had suffered some significant trauma and based on that called 911,” Seminole County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Bob Kealing said. Deputies said Adam Savage was belligerent and not making sense when authorities arrived. Savage is charged with second-degree homicide and was booked into the Seminole County Jail before 1 p.m. Thursday, jail records show.
Melbourne man accused of strangling, biting girlfriend to death
MELBOURNE, Fla. – A Melbourne man was arrested Friday on manslaughter charges following a four-month investigation into his girlfriend’s death. Slatter told detectives Mansfield “fell” and “passed out” after the pair took MDMA together. The victim’s mother told investigators she was not surprised when she learned her daughter’s death was a homicide. Mansfield’s mother told detectives Slatter was physically abusive prior to her daughter’s death. That move was set to happen a week after her death, according to the report.
Here’s how you can help domestic violence victims during the coronavirus pandemic
ORLANDO, Fla. – Harbor House of Central Florida is asking for the community’s support as the nonprofit continues offering services to domestic violence victims during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the guidelines laid out by the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding limiting social gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, Harbor House has had to postpone some of its fundraising events. Harbor House could receive money back for orders placed through Amazon Smile, according to the release. “Whatever you give, know that it makes a big difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors at Harbor House,” Harbor House officials said. If you or someone you know is being abused, you can reach a Harbor House advocate by calling 407-886-2856.
Leesburg man arrested after ‘accidentally’ fatally shooting girlfriend, deputies say
LEESBURG, Fla. – A man was arrested Thursday after the suspect said he and his girlfriend were arguing and he “accidentally” discharged his firearm, fatally shooting her, according to investigators with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the home on Fillmore Avenue in Leesburg at 1:20 a.m., where they found the victim’s boyfriend, 33-year-old Renee Aviles. Deputies said Aviles has prior military experience and had taken multiple medications before the fight. Records show Aviles and Hamby have been in a relationship for five years and they do not have a history of domestic violence. During his first appearance Friday morning a judge set Aviles’ bail at $30,000.
Harbor House hosts Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event for domestic violence awareness
ORLANDO, Fla. – Harbor House of Central Florida is hosting a Walk A Mile in her Shoes event Thursday to raise awareness of domestic violence in the area and resources available to survivors. Harbor House is Orange County's only state-certified domestic violence organization. Almost 11,000 women, men and children were sheltered at the organization's domestic violence housing facilities last year. Every minute, 20 people are physically abused by a partner, according to Harbor House. Victims of domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, available 24 hours a day, at 1-800-799-7233, or in Central Florida, the Harbor House 24-hour confidential crisis hotline at 407-886-2856.