Gallons upon gallons of water rushed into homes in North Park early Thursday morning after a water main broke in the neighborhood, leaving behind a huge, wet mess.

The water rapidly made its way down staircases, streets and into homes. Brooms and buckets in hand, residents scooped water out of their homes, trying to prevent the flooding.

“I woke up to a strange noise and I saw the local authorities with their lights flashing,” resident Joe Carta told NBC 7. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. This water that’s rushing right down there is rushing down the street and into the bottom floor of my house and into my garage.”

"Nobody wants to see a stream of water running into the bottom floor of their house," Carta added. "Nobody."

Arian Collins, spokesperson with the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, said a cast iron water main – 30 inches in diameter – broke early Thursday near the intersection of Polk and Oregon streets.

A crew with the department shut down the water at around 5:30 a.m. Collins said the main is not connected to water meters, so no customers in that area will be without water. Some residents may experience low water pressure for the time being.

Collins said some homes in the area sustained flood damage but that damage was till being assessed hours later. He said property owners impacted by the water main can file a claim with the City’s Risk Management Department via the city’s website.

For residents like Carta, the clean up will be a huge undertaking.

"I have to start thinking about how to get the clean up done and getting the water removed," he lamented, adding that he worries about mold and other problems that could arise from the flooding to his property.

Officials do not yet know how long it will take to complete repairs in the neighborhood. For now, drivers are advised to avoid the area. As of 6 a.m., several streets were closed due to the water main break: Idaho Street between University Avenue and Polk Street; University Avenue between Idaho and Arizona streets; Lincoln Avenue between Idaho and Hamilton streets.

No injuries were reported. The Red Cross and its Disaster Services team was at the scene helping residents displaced by the flooding.

The Red Cross set up a command center for victims of the flooding at Oregon Street and Howard Avenue. Also, the North Park Rec Center on Idaho Street was serving as a temporary evacuation point for those forced to leave their homes due to the flooding.

The drought no longer exists, at least in parts of California.

According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, which releases the Drought Monitor each week, just over 18 percent of the state is no longer in drought. The drought-free area is in Northern California and includes Crescent City, Eureka and Redding.

Central and Southern California remain in extreme or exceptional drought, while other areas in the interior portion of the state are in the process of recovery.

The Drought Monitor gathers data each Tuesday and the analysis of the data is released each Thursday. (See colored map above.)

• Areas in white have no drought at all.

• Areas in yellow are abnormally “dry,” but not in drought.

• Areas in tan are in moderate drought.

• Areas in orange are in severe drought.

• Areas in red are in extreme drought.

• Areas in burgundy are in exceptional drought.

NBC San Diego’s Meteorologist Jodi Kodesh is optimistic the state will continue to improve, at least for now.

“Over the next five days, several Pacific storm systems are expected to move into the State,” Kodesh said. “And we’re talking heavy, prolonged rain, in parts that really need it.”

Kodesh said a plume of moisture laden air, or atmospheric river, is expected to surge into the northern and central parts of the state, Saturday, through Monday. Several inches of additional rainfall are possible.

USS Carl Vinson Strike Group ships deployed from San Diego Thursday with a combined 7,500 service members on board all bound for the Western Pacific.

The sailors are part of a unique mission -- they will take part in an operational construct that hasn't been carried out by the U.S. Navy since World War II. 

The USS Carl Vinson deployed at about 7 a.m. Thursday morning, headed to a mission working on a new construct called "Calm Third Fleet Forward," which means that the two Fleet commanders, the Third Fleet and the Pacific Fleet, will collaborate in the Pacific and around that area. The U.S. Navy says the US Carl Vinson will remain under the U.S. Third Fleet command and control while deployed.

Loved ones gathered at Naval Air Station North Island Coronado to bid their farewell to 7,500 Marines and sailors -- always a poignant scene of emotion -- that marks a challenging day in the life of military families. For many families, it was their first experience of having a relative or spouse deploy.

The group of departed vessels included the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 and embarked Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 1, deployed with Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), according to the U.S. Navy.

Some other vessels in the group were the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108). The Carrier Air Wing 2 and Destroyer Squadron 1 will focus on maritime security operations.

USS Lake Champlain deployed from Naval Base San Diego at about 11 a.m. Thursday.

For the past six months, the USS Carl Vinson Strike Group has been preparing for this mission in San Diego with rigorous training sessions.

These days in San Diego, you’re bound to meet a baby Noah or baby Emma.

That’s because those names topped the list of the most popular baby names in San Diego County in 2016.

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) – which records all births in the region – released its newest round-up of popular boy and girl baby names in the county Thursday.

For boys, Noah took top honors for the second year in a row, with 236 Noahs born in San Diego County in 2016. Other baby boy names that made the top 10 include, in order:

• Liam (228 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Sebastian (216 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Daniel (194 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Ethan (193 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Mateo (193 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Alexander (189 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Jacob (186 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Benjamin (184 born in San Diego in 2016)
• James (173 born in San Diego in 2016)

The HHSA said that compared to 2015’s list of most popular baby boy names, Oliver and David did not make the cut and were instead replaced by Mateo and James.

As for top baby girl names, the HHSA said the top 10 names didn’t change from 2015, but their order did. With 263 Emmas on record, that was the top name, followed by these, in order:

• Mia (258 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Isabella (257 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Olivia (246 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Sophia (225 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Sofia (171 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Victoria (162 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Charlotte (160 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Ava (149 born in San Diego in 2016)
• Emily (145 born in San Diego in 2016)

The HHSA said there are approximately 45,000 babies born in the region every year.

Parents' preferences in baby names in San Diego fall in line with the top names reported by the Social Security Administration. In 2015, Noah and Emma also topped the Social Security Administration list. That round-up is typically released every year around Mother's Day.

A sinkhole formed Thursday near State Route 52 in Santee and city officials said repair work will likely cause traffic delays in a part of the community that is already notoriously congested by traffic.

The City of Santee said the sinkhole – caused by the failure of a 48-inch in diameter metal storm – damaged West Hills Parkway near SR-52. Like the rest of the county, Santee experienced scattered showers throughout Thursday.

As of 11:30 a.m., crews with the City of San Diego were repairing the roadway, as technically it lies in the City of San Diego.

Officials said that today’s repairs are only temporary; longer-term repair work will come next, which is likely to cause traffic delays in the area for an extended period of time.

Santee residents who commute along West Hills Parkway or take the SR-52 exits in that area -- including the very busy Mast Boulevard exit – will be impacted.

The area is near West Hills High School and the busy construction zone where the Castlerock development is currently being built.

SDG&E crews are at the scene of a large gas leak, spewing gas on the 400 block of Naples Street in Chula Vista, confirmed the Chula Vista Fire Department (CVFD).

The gas leak was controlled at 1:20 p.m., according to SDG&E. They have not yet determined what caused it to occur.

The Chula Vista fire units were by the leak, waiting for the SDG&E crews to finish their work, according to the CVFD. The leak began at about 1:10 p.m. Thursday.

It wasn't immediately clear to what extent the gas leak had affected the area. No other information was available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

The San Diego Superior Court may not have enough applications to draw names for the 2017/2018 San Diego County Grand Jury, for the first time in recent history.

In November, the Court began accepting Grand Jury applications from residents in San Diego. According to the court, only 47 people applied since then. Typically, they receive at least 100 citizens who put their names into the blind drawing.

The Grand Jury is part of a "watchdog" system over government agencies that works on investigating citizen complaints. They do not conduct criminal investigations, according to the Court.

"It has been getting harder and harder each year to get people to apply to serve on the Grand Jury. We are having a hard time understanding the public's lack of interest in the work of this very important group of people," said Executive Officer Michael Roddy for the San Diego Superior Court, in a statement.

From a blind draw that takes some applicants in each San Diego County Supervisorial District, the Grand jurors are selected, according to the Court.

Currently, there are not enough applicants in San Diego County to cover Districts 1, 3 or 5. Previously, the Court would draw six applicants from each district to cover the alternates and serving jurors. 

Right now, there's only four applicants for District 3, three applicants in District 1 and one applicant in District 5, said a Court representative.

To get an application, San Diego County residents can call 619-450-7272 or visit the San Diego Superior Court in person. It's available at their Jury Services Office at the Central (Downtown) branch and the Jury Lounges at the North, South and East branches of the court.

Or, County residents can download an application at the San Diego Superior Court's website.

Once selected as a juror, the citizen would serve on a 19-member body working four days a week for six hours a day, from Jul. 1, 2017 to Jun. 30, 2018, at the 550 West C St., Ste. 860 in downtown San Diego. 

The Court pays a small stipend to jurors per day, along with mileage and downtown parking. The deadline to submit applications is Jan. 13, 2017.

In order to qualify, applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least age 18, fluent in English and have lived in San Diego County for a year, according to the Court.

The Chargers on Thursday announced the first person to interview for the top spot was Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith.

Smith was among a short list of defensive-minded candidates rumored to be under consideration by the Bolts. Other likely contenders included Matt Patricia, the Patriots Defensive Coordinator; Vance Joseph, the Dolphins Defensive Coordinator; Teryl Austin, the Lions Defensive Coordinator; Sean McDermott, the Panthers Defensive Coordinator; and Dave Toub, the Chiefs Special Teams Coach.

Smith is the only one with head coaching experience. He was at the helm of the Atlanta Falcons from 2008-2014 and went 67-50 (including the playoffs).

According to NBC Sports, Smith will also reportedly interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars as they look to fill their head coach vacancy. Smith was the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator from 2003-2007.

This is just the first of several interviews to come for the Bolts. Following Mike McCoy’s firing on Sunday, General Manager Tom Telesco and President of Football Operations John Spanos said they would be conducting a thorough and comprehensive search for their next head coach.

The Chargers have not announced a deadline to fill the position as they continue to deal with their possible relocation.

A Pacific Beach man said he spent hundreds of dollars on artificial turf but when the packages were delivered to the wrong person, he said UPS, the company behind the delivery, wouldn’t take responsibility for the problem. 

Brantley Hunt said he ordered the artificial turf for his dog Coco. 

“There’s some muddy sections out there, my dog comes in and out and it just helps with getting the mud off her feet before she comes back in,” Brantley said. 

The synthetic lawn not only keeps out the mud but Brantley said it cools things down when the backyard brick heats up. 

Brantley ordered six sections of turf from Amazon but he said only two sections were delivered. 

“They delivered to someone named Maria? I don’t know Maria and I live here by myself,” Brantley said. 

Not only was the package delivered to the wrong address, Brantley said officials told him a person named Maria signed for it. 

Brantley said he filed a complaint with both Amazon and UPS, he says Amazon told him they are only responsible until the item is delivered and UPS claimed the item was delivered and out of the company’s hands. 

Brantley is a college student and military veteran and says he is often home but never saw or signed for those missing packages. 

“Both companies don’t want to take responsibility for it and they think the small guy will not do anything about it,” Brantley said. 

But Brantley did do something about it. After several of his refund claims were denied by UPS, Brantley contacted NBC 7 Responds for help. 

NBC 7 Responds reached out to UPS, since they were the company responsible for delivering the packages, and a manager told us UPS would conduct an in-depth investigation into what happened and determine the right course of action. 

Within a week, Brantley received a call from UPS and a week after that, a check in the mail. 

UPS took responsibility for the delivery problem but did not provide a statement for this report.

A San Diego woman who harbored 44 undocumented immigrants in her home, some of whom were locked in a small shed, admitted to the crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. 

Dania Olivero, 51, a Cuban national with legal status in the U.S., pleaded guilty to harboring and concealing undocumented immigrants in exchange for thousands of dollars. 

Authorities first discovered the stash house, located on the 4900 block of University Avenue in San Diego's City Heights neighborhood, when San Diego Police (SDPD) got multiple calls from neighbors, according to a complaint filed in Federal Court. 

Neighbors expressed concern after they saw two cars dropping off multiple people at the home, who then nervously rushed inside the home, the complaint alleges. 

Olivero told police she invited the people to drink beer at her house, the complaint alleges. 

Officers further investigated, and found the people with unopened beers in front of them in the home. Some of the people ran to the backyard when authorities arrived. 

Border Patrol officers were called to the home when police suspected the people may be undocumented immigrants. 

All but two identified themselves as Mexican nationals without legal status in the U.S. when questioned, according to the complaint. Two said they were citizens of Guatemala, but did not have legal standing to be in the U.S.

According to the plea agreement, Olivero admitted she provided shelter, food and drinks to shield the individuals from detection. At times, individuals paid between $5,000 and $8,000 to be smuggled into the U.S. 

Some of those questioned reported they were locked in a small backyard shed without light, ventilation or a bathroom with dozens of others, according to the complaint. 

"Many were placed in a backyard shed, a shed without lighting, ventilation. A small shed with approximately 30 other individuals," Conover said.

All 44 of the undocumented immigrants were taken into custody. 

Olivero is scheduled to be sentenced on March 17. She could face 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

A man prosecutors say spent 17 years on the run after killing a teen in front of his Mountain View home finally had his day in court. 

Alfredo Yanez-Munoz pleaded not guilty to the homicide of 15-year-old Wilberto Rodriguez. A judge ordered media not to show Yanez-Munoz's face. 

The homicide happened on Sept. 18, 1999, when Rodriguez was shot and killed in front of his home on the 4300 block of Newtown Avenue, in San Diego's Mountain View neighborhood. 

Detectives learned at the time during their investigation that Rodriguez was involved in a physical altercation with two men. Those men pulled out handguns and shot him, police said. 

George David Garcia, 22, and Yanez-Munoz, were identified as suspects in the homicide during the course of the investigation, authorities said. 

Shortly after the crime, Garcia was arrested and charged in Rodriguez's death. But police never arrested Yanez-Munoz and believed he fled to Mexico. 

On July 21, 2016, authorities in Mexico arrested Yanez-Munoz in Mexico and officials from U.S. Marshals and the San Diego Fugutive Task Force took custody of him. 

He will next appear in court in March for his trail. 

A report on Russian hacking delivered to President Barack Obama Thursday says American intelligence agencies intercepted communication which shows senior Russian officials celebrating Donald Trump's election victory, a senior U.S. intelligence official with direct knowledge confirmed to NBC News.

The U.S. has also identified Russian actors who turned over stolen Democratic material to WikiLeaks, the official said.

Two top intelligence officials with direct knowledge told NBC News that the report on Russian hacking also details Russian cyberattacks not just against the Democratic National Committee, but the White House, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the State Department and American corporations.

The source described the intelligence about the celebration, first reported by the Washington Post, as a minor part of the overall intelligence report, which makes the case that Russia intervened in the election. However, the source noted that communication intercepts are viewed with caution because they are subject to interpretation.

Restaurants charging a minimum wage surcharge could be breaking the law, according to the San Diego City Attorney, who intends to investigate and pursue legal actions against restaurants charging the fee.

If you have eaten out recently, you may have noticed a small fee tacked on to the end of your bill – a three percent charge written off as a “government mandated surcharge.”

Some restaurants across the City have added on the charge after minimum wage across California, including in San Diego, went up in 2017 to $11.50 an hour.

San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliot said the fee is the restaurant protesting new minimum wage laws which took effect on Jan. 1.

Most restaurants opposed the minimum wage change, saying food servers typically make well over minimum wage because of tips they get to take home on top of their paychecks.

Elliot said restaurants have had more than enough time – upwards of six months – to come up with a business plan to pay their employees the minimum wage.

She said customers should pay the cost that is advertised on the menu.

“Many of these diners did not learn of this so called surcharge which is not mandated by any governmental entity until they receive their check,” Elliot said. “At that point, of course it was too late of course to send the food back.”

Elliot said her office will launch an investigation into the matter and begin sending letters to restaurants that include the false surcharge.

“I believe our restaurant owners ought to be honest as well,” Elliot said. “If a family goes out to dinner, they should be able to trust that the prices on the menu are the prices they will pay.”

Elliot said her office has a Consumer Protection Unit handling complaints. She did not say what the penalty would be for restaurants violating the law, because every case will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, Elliot said.

The California Restaurant Association said in a statement it is important to understand why restaurants opted to do this. 

"To adapt to wage increases, restaurants around the state have either raised menu prices, reduced employees’ hours, reduced their own hours of operation, or adopted a surcharge or, in some cases, eliminated tipping and are now using a service charge. San Diego is not alone in this challenge and restaurants are not the first business to use a surcharge -- many hotels and transportation providers also use a surcharge," the association said in a statement.

"Whatever avenue each business chooses as a way to survive into the coming years, restaurants in San Diego and in every city want to be around for a long time to come," the statement continued.

One restaurant owner told NBC 7 that not only is the surcharge questionable legally, but it’s just bad business.

The owner, who did not wish to be identified, said people go out to eat to escape life for awhile, and the last thing they want to think about is a complicated political issue at the end of a good meal.

Three passengers had to be extricated from an SUV that overturned in a weather-related crash in Mission Valley Thursday afternoon.

San Diego Fire-Rescue (SDFD) officials say the vehicle was driving on the onramp of westbound Interstate 8 from Qualcomm Way at around 4:30 p.m. when the driver lost control on the curve. The SUV, a white GMC, spun out and turned over on its side.

SDFD crews arrived and, after stabilizing the vehicle in its place, were able to free one passenger from the SUV. Crews had to remove the roof of the SUV in order to get the last two passengers out.

None of the passengers were injured in the crash, though one was evaluated for possible transport to the hospital, SDFD Battalion Chief David Piconey confirmed.

“It doesn’t take a whole lot of speed to cause you to lose traction on these onramps,” Piconey said. “It’s just another reminder to be careful in the light rain when it first starts raining.”

Piconey said that good Samaritans pulled over and attempted to free the passengers before crews arrived.

Escondido community members stepped up Thursday to help raise funds for a family who lost two children and their home to a devastating fire. 

Last week, a house fire burned through the Flores' mobile home. One of family's twin boys, 11-year-old Diego Flores, and his niece, five-year-old Elizette Orozco, died in the fire that destroyed their home last week. Nine people total were in the 15th Ave. mobile home, asleep at the time.

Balloons, candles and kind messages left at the scene of the deadly blaze mark a grim reminder of the event that changed the Flores' family forever. 

But in the face of tragedy, Escondido community members turned sympathy and compassion into action. At the Escondido Chick-fil-A, the Flores' church family left kind reminders to mention the Flores' name when ordering. 

“We just wanted to show the family our love and concern for them and lift their burdens,” organizer Robin Schroeder said.

Chick-fil-A is donating 20 percent of Thursday night's proceeds to the surviving Flores family members. They are collecting gift cards for groceries and clothes as well in a basket behind the counter.

The response has been overwhelming.

"It’s just heartbreaking, unimaginable grief. I couldn't imagine even now, it breaks my heart,” parent Elsa Garcia said. She came out for the fundraiser.

It is a most unusual dinner rush, compelled by a higher purpose. 

“There ages were five and 11 - we got six and 10. I don't even want to think what it could feel like. It tugs at your heartstrings in ways you just can't explain,” parent Tom Garcia said.

A spokesperson tells NBC 7 the family ran into difficulty getting bereavement privileges for some family members who live in Mexico.

The funeral is scheduled for Friday morning at 10 a.m.

Anyone who would like to ensure that their donation reaches the victims can stop by the JPMorgan Chase bank and donate to the account number 3615771972, which was set up by the family's neighbors.

One person died after a car crashed into a pole near San Diego International Airport, leaving the vehicle wrapped around a pole, officials confirmed. 

The crash happened at approximately 9:44 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of North Harbor Drive and Harbor Island Drive on the 3600 block of North Harbor Drive, across the street from the airport, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue officials. 

The person who died at the scene was the only person in the car. 

Harbor Police Department Lieutenant James Jordan said the cause of the crash appears to be speed. 

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 

One local San Diego brewery is cracking up a special brew to help a young girl who battled an aggressive form of cancer. 

At six and a half years old, Julia Davidson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer attacking her bone marrow: neuroblastoma. 

For the next year and a half, Julia underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy and several trips to specialists around the nation. 

Julia is now in remission, but her family is facing a mountain of medical bills. 

Jeff Swem, a brewer at 32 North Brewery, is good friends with Julia's father and approached the owner of the brewery about finding a way to help them out. 

"I went to our owner and said, can we do something, can we do an event one night, we're we give a dollar back for every pint we pour. He said, let's go all out, let's name it after her," Swem said.

On Thursday, the brewery held a special fundraiser, cracking open kegs of a special brew named for Julia - with proceeds going directly to her family. 

"This particular fundraiser was originally Jeff's idea to step up and see what they can do for us, and it's incredible," said Todd Davidson, Julia's father.

The beer is a dark Belgian-style ale with Candi-sugar sweetness that finishes strong - just like Julia. 

A portion of the funds from the sale of the beer across San Diego County will go to directly the family. 

To help support Julia's family, click here to donate to a GoFundMe account set up by the family. 

The winter weather system that has buried much of the West under record snow was racing east Thursday — on course to slam Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas with snow and ice that authorities warned could be historic, NBC News reported. 

The National Weather Service on Thursday issued a winter storm warning of rain, sleet and snow beginning Friday afternoon for the northern two-thirds of Georgia and North Carolina, where the heaviest snow is expected from Chatham County through through Raleigh and Rocky Mount. A chunk of east-central Alabama was added to the warning area on Thursday night. 

Snow was already falling over Tennessee, Kentucky and parts north, but it's when warm, wet air from the Gulf Mexico beginnings moving ashore on Friday that the real chaos is expected to begin, the National Weather Service said.

"The heavy snow will make many roads impassable and may produce widespread power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs and power lines," the weather service said in a revised forecast late Thursday afternoon.

The family of a suburban Chicago teenager with special needs who was bound, gagged and beaten in an attack that was broadcast on social media said the attack "should never have happened." 

"We’re so grateful for all the prayers and efforts that led to the safe return of our brother," said the victim's brother-in-law David Boyd, speaking on behalf of the family. "We’re fully aware of the charges being brought against the offenders. At this time we ask for continued prayers for all those involved and for our family’s privacy as we cope and heal."

Boyd said the family has seen the video of the Crystal Lake teen's brutal beating, but said they are simply "happy he's home."

"He's doing well, as well as he could be," Boyd said.  

The victim, who is not being identified, is an 18-year-old with "mental health challenges," police said. A GoFundMe page aimed at raising money for the teen and his family had more than $34,700 in donations by Friday morning. A spokesperson for GoFundMe confirmed the funds would be donated to the family. 

Hate crime and kidnapping charges were filed Thursday against four people Chicago police say were behind the attack. 

Thirty minutes of the torturous incident were streamed live on Facebook, but authorities said it was a six-hour ordeal that evolved out of a play fight, with the victim beaten, kicked, cut and forced to drink from a toilet.

The suspects are black and the victim is white, and one of the suspects suspects allegedly yelled profanities about white people and President-elect Donald Trump during the live video. Police had earlier said they do not "have anything concrete" to suggest the attack was politically motivated, however.

"The actions in that video are reprehensible. That along with racism have absolutely no place in the city of Chicago or anywhere else for that matter against anyone regardless of their race, gender, state of mental health or any other identifying factor," Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said at a news conference Thursday. 

Jordan Hill, 18, of Carpentersville; Tesfaye Cooper, 18, of Chicago; Brittany Covington, 18, of Chicago and Tanishia Covington, 24, of Chicago, were each charged with aggravated kidnapping, hate crime, aggravated unlawful restraint and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Hill, Cooper and Brittany Covington also face charges of residential burglary. Hill was also charged with robbery and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. 

They are expected to appear in court Friday afternoon; it is not clear if they have attorneys. 

“It’s just sickening, sickening,” Johnson said Wednesday in reaction to the video. "It makes you wonder what would make individuals treat somebody like that."

Authorities believe the teenager knew Hill from school and went with him willingly on New Year's Eve after meeting at a suburban McDonald's. They allege Hill stole a van and picked the victim up from the Streamwood restaurant, ultimately bringing him to the city, 50 miles from his home, police said.

The victim's parents knew the teen would be spending the night with a friend, but reported him missing the next day, police said. 

It wasn't until Tuesday police said the attack happened and the teen was able to escape before police found him in the 3400 block of West Lexington "bloodied," "battered," and "discombobulated."

He then led the police back to the nearby home where he was tortured.

"I just can't believe anybody would do that to someone, especially a special needs child," the victim's grandmother told NBC. 

Streamwood authorities also say the suspects had been sending the victim’s parents text messages while holding him hostage.

"This is going to affect him for probably the rest of his life," the teen's grandmother said. 

Hours before meeting with the nation's top intelligence officials to discuss alleged Russian meddling in the U.S. election, President-elect Donald Trump took aim at Arnold Schwarzenegger and "The New Celebrity Apprentice." 

"Wow, the ratings are in and Arnold Schwarzenegger got 'swamped' (or destroyed) by comparison to the ratings machine, DJT," Trump tweeted, referring to his initials in the third person. 

Schwarzenegger replaced Trump as host of the "Celebrity Apprentice" franchise this season, but the president-elect remains an executive producer of the show. 

The program saw a significant drop in ratings with Schwarzenegger at the helm, according to reports. The premiere notched a 1.3 rating in the prized 18 to 49 demographic, and 4.9 million viewers, down 35 percent from the last premiere with Trump as host in 2015. Trump's run on the show averaged a 2.4 rating among adults in the demo and 7.6 million viewers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

Trump knocked Schwarzenegger in another Tweet for supporting a rival in the Republican primary. He also asserted that Schwarzenegger supported Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election. While Schwarzenegger said that he would "not vote for the Republican candidate," he did not in the waning days of the race indicate who he was voting for. 

Schwarzenegger jabbed back at Trump on Twitter Friday, wishing him luck and saying he hopes he works for the American people "as aggressively as you worked for your ratings." 

In recent days, Trump has aimed his Twitter cannon at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who he called a "head clown," and the media, among others. 

Later Friday, Trump is expected to be briefed by intelligence agencies about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election through cyberattacks and other means. 

In recent weeks, Trump has also raised doubts about intelligence agencies and Russia's involvement in the cyberattacks on Twitter. 

"The New Celebrity Apprentice" is produced and owned by MGM and appears on the NBC Television Network.