Teen charged in kidnapping, robbery, brutal assault of juvenile at Colony Ridge Subdivision home; 2 suspects sought
Two suspects remain on the run as a teen faces multiple charges in the kidnapping, robbery and brutal assault of a juvenile male at a Colony Ridge Subdivision home, according to the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office.
Colony Ridge developer defends Houston-area community as state leaders vow action against it
GOP leaders claim the development markets to undocumented people and is plagued by crime. One of its owners refutes the allegations and says heโs ready to show lawmakers that Colony Ridge isnโt different than any other rural Texas community.
No water, roads or emergency services: How climate change left a rural neighborhood nearly uninhabitable
In Liberty County, one neighborhood has been slowly abandoned as years of flooding and intense rains prompted a spiral of decline. A struggling buyout program shows the complexities and limitations of โmanaged retreatโ from disaster-prone areas.
Storms cause judge for Pct. 4 in Liberty Co. to have court proceedings outside under oak tree after building was damaged
Strong storms caused about $200,000 worth of damage to the Liberty County Dayton Annex building. Judge Larry Wilburn says they are doing the best they can and taking care of business.
Oil production concerns in Dayton neighborhood at center of court hearing
Families in a rural community in Liberty County are fighting to protect their neighborhood. They said oil from Jay Management Company is seeping into their well water system, causing health concerns and killing their livestock.
Families in Dayton say Jay Management Company continues oil production despite temporary restraining order from judge
Last week, a judge in Harris County issued a temporary restraining order against Jay Management Company, ordering the oil and gas operator to stop all services immediately in the small community of Dayton. Since then, residents said the company continues production despite the judgeโs order.
Crews began cleanup process after crude oil spill in Dayton community; Residents say theyโre concerned about their health
In less than 24 hours, residents in a small community in Liberty County say their voices are finally being heard after a crude oil spill damaged their properties, well water supply and killed their livestock.
Houston-area cold cases cracked: Inside how murder mysteries, decades-old disappearances resolved after sitting on shelf for years
Cases go cold when investigators exhaust all available leads. Due to a lack of evidence, hostile or nonexistent witnesses or some other limitation, clearing these cases isnโt easy. Many remain a mystery.
$500K bond for mother, boyfriend charged in connection with โsuspiciousโ death of 3-year-old Liberty County boy, authorities say
A hefty bond amount has been issued for the boyfriend and mother of a 3-year-old boy who died under what authorities called โsuspiciousโ circumstances, according to the Liberty Count Sheriffโs Office.
Family of 3-year-old who was found dead in Liberty County has history with Child Protective Services, DFPS says
Child Protective Services confirmed Monday it is investigating the death of a three-year-old boy from Liberty County after law enforcement ruled the circumstances surrounding his death as โsuspicious.โ
Man fatally shot by detective after trying to attack him with tire iron outside of SE Houston restaurant: HPD
An investigation is underway after police said a suspect accused of trying to hit a Liberty County District Attorneyโs Office investigator with a tire iron tool Sunday was fatally shot by the officer.
Liberty County man sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting woman in front of their 13-year-old daughter in 2020, DA says
A man has been sentenced to serve life in prison for fatally shooting a woman in front of their 13-year-old daughter, according to the Liberty County District Attorneyโs Office.
Harris County reduces COVID-19 threat level from orange to yellow
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced Friday that she is lowering the countyโs COVID-19 Threat Level from Level 2: Orange to Level 3: Yellow as indicators demonstrate a further decrease in cases, hospitalizations, and positivity rates.
Liberty County family says they were surrounded by water, stranded for days after Saturday nightโs storm
Surrounded by water and stranded for days. That was the situation the Arnold family said they were in after Saturday nightโs storm in Liberty County turned their Plum Grove home into an island.
2 men, 1 woman charged in connection to death of missing juvenile, burning human remains, Liberty County officials say
Cade Cates (L), 23, and Randy Norlan Salinas (R), 26, are charged with murder in connection with the death of a missing juvenile. LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas โ Authorities in Liberty County have arrested and charged two men and a woman in connection with the death of an unidentified juvenile, who had been reported missing about a week prior. Randy Norlan Salinas, 26, of Channelview, and Cade Cates, 23, of north Liberty County, are accused of being involved in the juvenileโs death, according to the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office. Later Thursday evening, officials said a third person, Kathryn Alexander, who is the girlfriend of Cates, was also arrested and charged with murder. She was booked at the Liberty County Jail.
40-year-old man missing from Liberty County has been found, authorities say
Officials said Christopher โBradโ Bartell has been missing since Friday. A 40-year-old man who was missing in Liberty County has been found, authorities said Monday. Officials said Christopher โBradโ Bartell had been missing since Friday at 5:30 p.m. Authorities said he was found in a vehicle in Hardin County Sunday night. Bartell is described as 5-foot-11-inches tall and about 200 pounds with blue eyes and brownish hair.
Texas explains requirements after social media posts suggest vaccine was open to all
HOUSTON โ Despite some social media posts, the Texas Division of Emergency Management said certain COVID-19 vaccination events in Liberty and Matagorda counties will not be open to almost anyone. The doses initially went to folks who are homebound, as well as those 65 and older, said TDEM spokesman Seth Christensen. People ages 50 to 64 are part of group 1C in Texas, which is open for vaccination. Also on Thursday, a post on the Matagorda County Emergency Operation Centerโs Facebook page discussed a vaccination event at the county fairgrounds scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Christensen said nothing has changed in terms of which population groups have been approved to receive the vaccine.
Masks Optional for Tarkington ISD
LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas โ Starting Wednesday, students and teachers at Tarkington ISD were not required to wear a mask at schools. Noel has three children in third, fourth and seventh grades at Tarkington ISD schools. The school board voted to make masks optional after asking the parents in a poll. Humble ISD has made changes saying students under 10 years old do not have to mask up. โHopefully, theyโll have some common sense and understanding that people still need to wear their masks because itโs still a pandemic out here,โ said Fred Fisher.
Liberty County vaccine hub seeing increase in patients from larger counties
CLEVELAND, Texas โ The Texas Emergency Hospital in Liberty County was designated as a vaccination hub by the state about eight weeks ago. Since then, medical workers have vaccinated over 10,000 patients in a county of less than 90,000 people. As the chief operation officer, Patti Foster, walked through the hospital, her passion for serving patients shined with each step. With so many new patients, the hospital had to make some new hires, which included Desiree King, a licensed nurse. If you would like to sign up for the Texas Emergency Hospital vaccination waitlist, call 281-806-7370 or 281-806-7380.
Humble ISD students build tiny homes for veterans experiencing homelessness
HUMBLE, Texas โ Humble Independent School District students are hammering out better futures for area veterans. Some students at Kingwood Park High School and Summer Creek High School are building tiny homes for homeless heroes and itโs not just an act of kindness, itโs also being used as a teaching tool. Tuesday morning, U.S. Air Force Veteran Jeffrey Jacobs toured his future home thatโs currently under construction at Kingwood Park High school. โService is the heart of our school and this project just symbolizes all of that,โ said Principal of Kingwood Park High School, Lisa Drabing. The home was designed by Kingwood Park High School student, Parker Ryan.
Parents face misdemeanor charges after 1-year-old found dead in pool in Liberty County, deputies say
DAISETTA, Texas โ Liberty County Sheriffโs deputies are investigating a case after a 1-year-old girl was found dead in a neighborโs pool. The family reported the baby girl missing on Monday afternoon from the parentโs home on West Pine Street in Daisetta, Texas. โAs you would imagine, the investigators were asking the logical questions,โ said Liberty County Sheriffโs Office spokesperson Captain Ken DeFoor. Liberty County Sheriffโs deputies were called to the Nine Mile Ranch, a waterpark that was located in Dayton, Texas. Liberty County Sheriffโs Office, Texas Rangers and Daisetta Police are all working on the case.
Parents arrested after 1-year-old daughter found dead in neighborโs pool in Liberty County, deputies say
DAISETTA, Texas โ The parents of a 1-year-old girl who was found dead in a neighborโs pool in Liberty County have been arrested, according to the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office. It was initially reported that the child was found in the familyโs pool but it was later discovered that the child was in the neighborโs pool. On Wednesday morning, the parents, Londell Laviene and Bonnie Tarrant, were charged with interfering with public duties and also with resisting arrest. Both were placed in the Liberty County jail. AdChild Protective Services and their fatality investigation unit is also investigating the incident because the parents had another child drown in 2015 in Liberty County.
5 things for Houstonians to know for Tuesday, Jan. 26
Here are things to know for Tuesday, Jan. 26:1. Heathco was last seen walking on FM 1409 in Liberty County on Jan. 12, according to a spokesman for Texas Equusearch. Detectives working her case havenโt given up and hope you can help turn this murder mystery into a murder conviction. Hopefully, they have a heavy heart and know something, they want to come back and tell us what they know,โ said Harris County Sheriffโs Office Deputy, Wallace Wyatt. โWe are the public work force system for the entire Houston-Galveston region, meaning just like the public library or public education system, we are here to serve.
Fisherman finds body of missing man near Trinity River in Liberty County, deputies say
Nathan Heathco, 22, was last seen walking on FM 1409 in Liberty County, Texas Equusearch said. DAYTON, Texas โ A fisherman found the body of a missing man Sunday near the Trinity River in Liberty County, deputies said. The manโs body was found not far from where crews were searching for him. Heathco was last seen walking on FM 1409 in Liberty County on Jan. 12, according to a spokesman for Texas Equusearch. Officials said they believe Heathco may have been injured in a vehicle crash prior to his disappearance.
Search underway for 22-year-old Liberty County man missing since Tuesday, Texas Equusearch says
LIBERTY, Texas โ Texas Equuesearch and Liberty County sheriffโs deputies are searching for a 22-year-old Liberty County man who they said has been missing since Tuesday. Texas Equusearch said they will be in need of volunteers to search on foot. The search staging location will be at the Liberty County ESD #3 Volunteer Fire Department, which is located at 8704 FM 1409 in Dayton, Texas. Heathco was last seen walking on FM 1409 in Liberty County, Texas Equusearch said. Texas Equusearch is asking volunteers to dress for the forecasted weather conditions and for the environment, which will include some thick brush and mud.
Liberty County swears in two women, including first-ever female District Attorney in historic ceremony
LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas โ History was made during Mondayโs swearing-in ceremony as two women take up two county positions never been held by a woman before. The county swore in Jennifer Bergman, who was elected as District Attorney and Tammy Bishop as Constable Precinct #1, the county said in a news release. โThis is history, ladies and gentlemen...It is history that is long, long, long overdue.โIn total, 13 candidates were sworn in on Monday, five of then being newly-elected officials. โI look forward to serving the citizens of Liberty County,โ she said in a statement. I am blessed to call Liberty County my home and I look forward to doing everything I can to make you proud.โ
5 things for Houstonians to know for Friday, Jan. 1
Woman abducted from Liberty County home at gunpoint found safe in Illinois, authorities sayHappy New Year! Here are things to know for Friday, Jan. 1:1. Woman abducted from Liberty County home at gunpoint found safe in Illinois, authorities sayA woman abducted at gunpoint from her Liberty County home Tuesday was found alive and unharmed in Illinois, according to authorities. Erika Rios Valdez, 32, was kidnapped from her home around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday while parking and unhooking a food service trailer on County Road 3404 in the Plum Grove area in north Liberty County. An acquaintance, identified by authorities as Abel Farjado, 38, drove up and forced Valdez into his pickup truck at gunpoint.
Woman abducted from Liberty County home at gunpoint found safe in Illinois, authorities say
LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas โ A woman abducted at gunpoint from her Liberty County home Tuesday was found alive and unharmed in Illinois, according to authorities. On Tuesday, it was reported that Erika Rios Valdez, 32, was kidnapped from her home around 9:30 p.m. while parking and unhooking a food service trailer on County Road 3404 in the Plum Grove area in north Liberty County. An acquaintance, identified by authorities as Abel Farjado, 38, drove up and forced Valdez into his pickup truck at gunpoint. Police said Valdez is now staying with family members in that area and is awaiting a flight back to Liberty Texas to rejoin her family there. Police said there is a possibility of federal charges being lodged against Fajardo as Valdez was taken across state lines.
โHeโs tried to take her beforeโ: Family searches for Cleveland mother kidnapped at gunpoint outside home
Liberty County Sheriffโs Deputies searching for a suspect who kidnapped a Cleveland mother at gunpoint around 9:30 p.m. outside her home on County Road 3404. They said she was parking her food service trailer outside her home when a man in a white pickup truck held her at gunpoint, forced her into the truck, and then took off. โIf they spot her let us know-- call [Liberty County Sheriffโs Deputies],โ Salinas said. More than anything, the family just wants Erika Valdez to come home safely. Anyone who knows anything that will help locate Fajardo or Erika Valdez is asked to give Liberty County Sheriffโs deputies a call at (936) 336-4500.
Man accused of kidnapping woman at gunpoint in north Liberty County, deputies say
Abel Fajardo (right) is seen in an image released by the Liberty County Sheriff's Office on Dec. 30, 2020. HOUSTON โ Deputies are searching for a man accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint Tuesday night in north Liberty County, according to the sheriffโs office. Liberty County deputies search for Erika Rios Valdez, 32, after she was held at gunpoint and kidnapped on Dec. 29, 2020, officials said. Deputies said on the back window of the pickup is the word โDuramax.โPickup with an Illinois license plate 2816533B involved in armed kidnapping in north Liberty County, deputies said (Liberty County Sheriff's Office)Deputies said the brother of Valdez chased Fagardo but lost him. Anyone with information is asked to call the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office at 936-336-4500 or call the Multicounty Crime Stoppers at 1-800-393-7867.
Relaxed restrictions rolled back in 4 Houston-area counties with high COVID-19 hospitalizations
HOUSTON โ Relaxed restrictions were rolled back Tuesday in some Houston-area counties where coronavirus-related hospitalizations remain high. A similar change was implemented in the Trauma Service Area that includes Dallas earlier this month. Galveston County asks for exemptionHenry said he has sent three requests for Galveston County to be exempt from the tighter restrictions, but those requests have gone unanswered. He said that hospitals in Galveston County are taking patients from the surrounding area and only 65 county residents are hospitalized with COVID-19. He said the Galveston County District Attorney has said he will likely not accept charges related to violations of the order.
Liberty County woman accused of killing her father who she said committed suicide
LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas โ A man is dead in Liberty County and authorities say his daughter has admitted to shooting him after making initial claims that heโd committed suicide. The Liberty County Sheriffโs Office said it received a 911 call around 2:10 a.m. Friday Ciera Eaton, 35. Authorities said she told them her father, 64-year-old Michael Eaton had just committed suicide at their mobile home on CR 4533 in south Liberty County. After an initial investigation and evidence found at the scene, the sheriffโs office said deputies began to question Ciera Eatonโs suicide story. Ciera Eaton has been charged with murder and is now in the Liberty County Jail.
2 killed, 3 injured in crash where car flies off bridge in Liberty County: Deputies
LIBERTY, Texas โ Deputies said two people were killed in a devastating four-vehicle crash in Liberty County Sunday. According to investigators, the impact of the accident caused a car to fly off a bridge. Deputies said the crash happened on State Highway 105 at the Trinity River Bridge around 8 p.m.A BMW slammed into a Mustang head-on, sending the BMW over the bridge about 20 feet down, investigators said. Deputies said a 15-year-old in another vehicle was rushed to the hospital by helicopter. There was a six-month-old inside one of the cars, but authorities said the baby was not hurt.
Suspect in shooting of woman, sex assault of another in Liberty County arrested at border after fleeing to Mexico
HOUSTON โ The U.S. Border Patrol arrested a man charged with capital murder after being tied to the fatal shooting of one woman and sexual assault of another in September, according to the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office. The U.S. Marshalโs Office and Mexican authorities joined the search for Jose Marin Soriano, 59, after he reportedly crossed the border into Mexico shortly after the incident, according to the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office. What happenedThese incidents occurred on County Road 3415 at County Road 3425 around 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 19. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a woman dead inside a burned vehicle across the road from the residence. When the two women arrived at Sorianoโs home, deputies said he pulled a gun and sexually assaulted the woman chained to the bed.
Baby rushed to Houston hospital after being hit by car in Liberty County dies
HOUSTON โ A baby who was rushed to a hospital in Houston earlier this month after being hit by a car in Liberty County died Friday. According to authorities, the babyโs mother accidentally hit the child with her car. They told me to take the baby off the car seat and place it on the ground. Investigators said they are trying to determine how the child was hit by the car. No charges have been filed and the case has been referred to the Liberty County District Attorneyโs Office for review.
Man arrested after driver makes grisly discovery in east Liberty County
HOUSTON โ A Louisiana man was arrested Wednesday in the shooting death of a woman found in her car in east Liberty County, officials say. Henry Davis, 24, is in custody after he was arrested at the home of his relatives in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The arrest comes after a passing driver made a grisly discovery around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, finding Markie McGinnis, 29, dead in her car on FM 2830 in Raywood. Sheโd been shot multiple times through her driverโs side window after leaving a church service in the area, authorities say. Davis is currently in the Liberty County Jail, held on a murder warrant.
Louisiana man arrested after Spring woman found shot to death inside car, deputies say
HOUSTON โ With the help of the Parish Sheriffโs Office and the U.S. Marshalโs Service, a Louisiana man facing murder charges was arrested Tuesday morning, according to the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office. The discovery was made at 1:30 p.m. when a passing motorist saw McGinnes, deputies said. After further investigation, it was determined Davis was tied to the shooting and identified as a suspect in the case, deputies said. Davis is expected to be transported to Texas Tuesday where he will be held at the Liberty County Jail. Anyone who has information regarding this case or witnessed the shooting is asked to call the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office at 936-336-4500.
Suspect in shooting of woman, sex assault of another in Liberty County believed to have fled to Mexico
HOUSTON โ The U.S. Marshalโs Office and Mexican authorities are joining the search for a suspect tied to the fatal shooting of one woman and the chaining of another woman in a Liberty County home. The suspect is believed to have crossed over the border into Mexico, according to the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a woman dead inside a burned vehicle across the road from the residence. Liberty County Sheriffโs Office Capt. Billy Knox said the arrest process of the investigation has been turned over to the U.S. Marshalโs Office as they continue to work closely with the Liberty County Sheriffโs Investigators and the Mexican authorities.
Liberty County deputies searching for man after woman found dead inside burning car while another chained inside home
LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas โ Deputies are searching for a man after a woman was found dead inside a burning car in Liberty County and another woman was found close by chained up inside a home, deputies said. These incidents occurred on County Road 3415 at County Road 3425 around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found a woman dead inside a burned vehicle across the road from the residence. Deputies said they also found another woman chained at the ankle and a rope tied around her neck inside the house located in the Rancho San Vicente subdivision in north Liberty County. Investigators are asking anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Soriano to contact the Liberty County Sheriffโs Office at 936-336-4500 or the Multi-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-7867.