A woman used social media to reunite with the police officer who rescued her 43 years ago from a Santa Ana, Calif., house fire that killed her mother.

Angela Basore, 47, now of San Diego, said that when she was 4, she woke up in her bed to discover that her room was on fire. Two police officers ran in and rescued her and her 3-year-old sister and newborn brother from the burning home.

“I heard a kid crying and I said to myself, ‘I gotta go in,’ and I went in,” said Harlan Lambert, the officer who pulled her out of the fire. “I couldn’t see nothing because of the smoke and I found her and pulled her out of the bed.”

Using Facebook, Basore tracked down Lambert and Jack Jakobsen, the other officer who assisted in the rescue, to personally express her gratitude.

“These guys give their lives every day for people like me and it’s an honor and privilege to meet you and say thank you,” Basore said. She gave gifts to the two retired officers when she met them.

Lambert, who was 33 at the time of the rescue, was Orange County’s first black police officer. He now trains dogs for law enforcement and said he “cried like a baby” when Basore sent him a message over Facebook, according to a press release issued by emailwire.com.

Basore now has two children of her own and her siblings reside in Texas.

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• Claim Denied in Dorner Mistaken ID Case
• Police Remember Officer Killed in Crash
• Pet Store Ban Passed in San Diego
• Transgender Bill Awaits Governor's Signature or Veto
• Mobile Home Park May be Torn Down
• Crash Survivors Reunited With Families
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Consumers in California who have purchased a certain brand of pistachios are being warned it may be contaminated with salmonella, according to the FDA and the state health department.

The pistachios were distributed in four states, including California.

The products in question are roasted and salted pistachios in a 6 ounce plastic cup, 12 ounce clear bag or 28 ounce clear plastic tray by the brand Treasured Harvest.

They were distributed from Oct. 17, 2012, through April 29, 2013, the health department said.

See more photos of products here and below.

Western Mixers Produce and Nut Company has issued a recall for ARO and Treasured Harvest pistachios because the potential for salmonella contamination.

FDA Statement:

Western Mixers Produce & Nut Company of Los Angeles, California is recalling ARO and/or Treasured Harvest Pistachios, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Anyone who purchased the pistachios is asked to destroy the product or return it for a full refund. Consumers may contact Western Mixers Produce and Nuts with any questions at (877) 230-8449 between Monday and Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., the health department said.

Product list:

The senior pastor at the church where Trayvon Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton is a member urged worshipers to keep the peace following a verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman, found not guilty in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Pastor Arthur Jackson reflected on the verdict during regular Sunday morning services at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Miami Gardens.

"It goes without question how disappointed the family of Trayvon Martin is, how disappointed his church family is, how disappointed this community is," Pastor Arthur Jackson said.

He reiterated a call for calm among those who were not happy with the verdict.

"When things happen to us that we don't understand, we don't take matters into our own hands, but we turn the matter over to God," Jackson said.

Although the services were not dedicated to Martin, some churchgoers came in support of the family and expressed their disappointment at the verdict.

"My God, my God. I'm hurt, I'm really hurt," said Sarhonda Clark who sings with Martin's aunt.

Although Martin's mother was not present at the services, his cousins were at the church and they also spread a message of peace.

"That's our justice system in regards to what it's going to be. Be peaceful, the verdict is in and be peaceful about what it is," cousin Milton Felton said. "Conduct yourself accordingly. My heart is heavy. I'm very proud of the Trayvon Martin movement."

His wife Roberta Felton also said she was disappointed and asked that everybody keep the family in their prayers.

"Just remember Trayvon," she said.

A brush fire burned in San Diego’s East County Sunday afternoon, fire officials confirmed.

The blaze began around 2:15 p.m. near River Park Drive and Cuyamaca Street. Crews rushed to the scene to tackle the fire, and were able to knock it down quickly.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
 

A brush fire sparked in a canyon behind homes in Chula Vista Sunday, officials said.

The blaze began around 4:30 p.m. in the 500 block of East H Street, near Terra Nova, behind the Beacon Cove apartment complex.

Officials said it was initially burning slowly in heavy vegetation, possibly threatening nearby homes.

Several crews are responding to the scene by ground and air. Fire officials have also called a structure protection group to the scene.

After about 20 minutes, firefighters were able to knock down the majority of the fire. As of 6 p.m., firefighters were mopping up hot spots.

Residents said they smelled the smoke and saw flames on the hillside behind the complex. One resident told NBC 7 a fire alarm went off in the complex, and by the time he walked outside his home, firefighters were already on scene.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the blaze is now under investigation.

Check back for updates.

A man left a seven-year-old girl on a street median after he fled two DUI crashes, deputies said.

Grant Mulder, 41, was arrested in Madeira Beach, Fla., after he struck a telephone pole, left the scene, left the girl on the median, hit two cars and left that scene, according to a Pinellas County Sheriff's Office news release.

Deputies first responded to the telephone pole crash at 131st Avenue and Pelican Lane, officials said. Witnesses told deputies that the airbag to Mulder's Toyota 4Runner went off, hitting the child. When witnesses tried to help the girl out of the car, Mulder drove away with the girl still inside, the release said.

Man Stole Car with Toddler in Backseat: Fort Myers Police

Mulder then drove to Duhme Road and the Tom Stuart Causeway, where the girl got out of the SUV onto a median, and he left her there, the release said.

After leaving the girl, Mulder headed north on 113th Street where he tried to pass between two cars stopped side by side at a light at Park Boulevard, but instead hit them, according to authorities. Mulder backed up, went around the cars and continued north on 113th, the release said.

The two drivers, 18-year-old Zachary Barrett and 21-year-old Rebekah Trout, were treated on scene for minor injuries and taken to nearby hospitals for further treatment, according to the release.

Florida Burglar Left Joker Calling Card: Cops

Mulder was arrested after conducting a traffic stop on 113th Street and Ulmerton Road. When he was placed in the deputy's car, he tried to kick out the windows, the release said.

Mulder was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, child abuse, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He was released from the Pinellas County Jail on $16,750 bond.

Officials said the seven-year-old girl is known to Mulder, but are not releasing any other information that would identify her.

More South Florida Stories: 

• Owner of Florida Auto Store Shoots, Kills Customer: Police
• Woman Who Spent 15 Years on the Run Sentenced in Drug Case
• Florida Mom Arrested After Daughter Injured in Drug Deal: Cops

Mayor Bob Filner’s former allies have called for his resignation all week long. Now, San Diego voters may also spark a movement to recall the embattled mayor.

Local Michael Pallamary says he’s followed Filner's career since he became a city councilmember.

But now, with accusations of sexual harassment surrounding the mayor, Pallamary says the time has come for a recall.

Pallamary is leading the charge to boot Filner out of office through a citizen-signed petition and the “Recall Bob Filner” Facebook page.

The page was created on June 21 – before any local leaders brought the sexual harassment allegations against Filner to light.

Now, Pallamary says there may be enough support from voters to actually make the recall a reality.

As of Sunday morning, the "Recall Bob Filner" page had nearly 1,100 "likes" on Facebook.

Pallamary says he’s been waiting for Filner to give people a reason to vote him out of office, something he believes is crucial to the well-being of the City of San Diego.

“The mayor’s office needs to be sanitized. It needs to be sanitized and scrubbed clean with Lysol. It needs to be made available for a viable, good, hard-working individual – whatever their political background is,” Pallamary told NBC 7.

City code requires signatures from 15 percent of voters, or a little over 100,000 votes in 60 days in order to get a special election.

Pallamary says an extra 30,000 would be needed for uncertified signatures, amounting to 2,600 a day.

He says the effort could cost at $250,000 and, most importantly, a lot of volunteers.

“Give me your Saturday, give me your Thursday night in front of Vons, give me your Tuesday morning at Wal-Mart. Give me your time,” he added.

Pallamary says he's done it before, successfully leading a recall of city councilmember Linda Bernhardt in 1990 when Filner also sat on the council.

When asked whether they would sign a petition to recall the mayor, San Diegans had mixed reactions.

“I actually voted for him, but I think he’s disappointed a lot of people and can’t rule the city,” local Ellen Beshears told NBC 7.

“Yes, I will, gladly [sign a petition],” said another woman.

“Nothing’s been released about what he’s actually supposedly done so until we get that, it’s really hard to say, ‘You’re fired,’” San Diego resident Tony Wang told NBC 7.

Pallamary argues that a recall is an economical solution using volunteers and a few hundred thousand dollars.

He believes if Mayor Filner resigns, then it will prompt two special elections including a runoff, partisan bickering and will cost taxpayers millions.
 

After the 7th inning of their game against the Padres at Petco Park on Saturday night, Giants manager Bruce Bochy asked starting pitcher Tim Lincecum how his arm was feeling. Lincecum was nearing his career-high of 138 pitches.

"I felt pretty good going out there every inning," said Lincecum.

Exactly what Bochy wanted to hear, because taking Tim out was the last thing he wanted to do.

Lincecum eventually threw 148 pitches, the last one a Yonder Alonso flyout to left field, to complete his first career no-hitter in the Giants' 8-0 win.

"It's pretty surreal for me just to be a part of that," said Lincecum after getting a champagne salute from his team mates in the clubhouse. "I've obviously gotten to see a couple with Jonathan (Sanchez) and (Matt) Cain's perfect game, but, to be in the middle of it is a little different, so I think I'm still kind of pinching myself right now."

Lincecum struck out 13 Padres, walked four and hit one with a pitch. The Padres have lost 14 of their last 15 games.

Lincecum had plenty of cushion because his offense beat up on San Diego starter Edinson Volquez. Several MLB teams had scouts in the stands evaluating Volquez, who is likely available in a trade. They didn't get a real good show.

Volquez gave up eight runs on nine hits in five innings. He threw 107 pitches, a massive amount for that short an outing.

Hunter Pence drove in five runs on the night, three of them on a bases-loaded triple in the 5th inning that put the Giants up 7-0. After that, The Freak was able to settle in and go about his business.

Pence also contributed with a stellar defensive play to preserve the no-hitter. With two outs in the 8th inning, Alexi Amarista smacked a sinking liner to right field. Pence charged and made a sliding catch just inches about the grass to end the inning.

"That was really special," said Lincecum. "To be honest with you I thought that was a hit off the bat. But, Hunter comes flying in out of nowhere and makes the Superman catch, so, that was awesome."

Just one inning earlier, 3rd baseman Pablo Sandoval made a great play to steal a hit from Jesus Guzman. Sandoval dove down the line and got Guzman by a step to end the 7th.

Lincecum knows he has a couple of big thank-you's to hand out.

"I might go take them out for dinner or something like that, that would be good."

It was the 8th time the Padres have been no-hit (and they remain the only franchise in baseball that has never thrown one), but this was the first no-hitter thrown at Petco Park.

It's the 15th no-hitter in Giants history and the 259th in Major League Baseball history.

The man whose nickname is "The Freak" has won a pair of Cy Young awards, two World Series rings, and now has a no-hitter on his resume. He's not the same pitcher he was three years ago, but Tim Lincecum proved he still has the ability to do something special.

NBC 7 spoke exclusively with embattled Mayor Bob Filner Sunday when he made a surprise appearance and the 2013 San Diego LGBT Pride celebration.

NBC 7’s news cameras caught Filner walking through the Pride festival as he shook hands with attendees and posed for a few photos with local supporters.

This is the first time the mayor has been spotted out in public since several of his former allies publicly accused him of sexually harassing numerous unidentified women.

On Thursday, hours after the sexual assault accusations came to light, Filner released a pre-recorded video statement apologizing to San Diegans admitting he “needs help” in order to change his behavior.

Then, on Friday, Filner released a statement announcing that he would not be attending the San Diego LGBT Pride celebration as planned, due to the controversy surrounding him.

However, on Sunday, Filner took everyone by surprise by making an appearance at Pride.

In an exclusive interview with NBC 7, Filner said he was glad to be at the celebration surrounded by those who still support him.

“Everybody’s saying they support me. They’re saying, ‘You’ve been great on our issues; we need you to stay,’” Filner told NBC 7.

As the mayor walked and talked, many locals ran up to shake his hand. Some gave Filner words of encouragement, like one man who told Filner he had voted for him.

“Mr. Mayor, I voted for you,” said the man as he approached Filner. “And, I will vote for you again.”
Filner stuck to talking about San Diego Pride, and the importance of this year’s local LGBT celebration.

“I’m really proud to see that our notion of equality and democracy has grown so much,” said Filner.
Despite his public appearance, the mayor remains under fire.

On Friday, several leaders including Toni Adkins and Lorena Gonzalez called on Filner to resign due to allegations of sexual harassment. In a press conference, Gonzalez said she had personally heard from victims that had allegedly been physically and verbally harassed by Filner, but didn’t name any names.

In an email statement late Friday night, Filner vowed that a "full, complete and independent investigation" would be conducted in response to any formal complaint against him.

Still, the mayor continued to proclaim his innocence.

"I am confident that a fair and independent investigation will support my innocence with respect to any charges of sexual harassment," said Filner in his statement.

SPECIAL SECTION: San Diego Mayor Bob Filner Under Fire

On Saturday, NBC 7 spoke with local political activist Michael Pallamary, who’s leading an effort to recall Filner with the help of San Diego voters and a “Recall Bob Filner” Facebook page.

“My objective is to develop an army, a legion of supporters, before I move forward. It’s important for people to understand that a premature or an improper recall is the worst thing that could happen. If a recall were to fail, then he becomes empowered,” Pallamary told NBC 7.

Meanwhile, San Diego residents had their own opinions when asked about Filner on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s a wake-up call. He really needs to be alerted about all of the things that are bothering people. And I think the sexual harassment, there’s no definitive proof, but he really ought to shape up,” said local Lily Chu.

San Diego resident Melissa White said the sexual assault allegations against Filner worry her.

“If women are coming forward, then it’s definitely a concern for residents of San Diego, myself included,” said White.

"The mayor's visit to the Pride Festival was arranged by Nicole Murray Ramirez, who co-founded San Diego's first Gay Pride Parade in 1974. Ramirez also escorted the Mayor at today's event."

A man was arrested, accused of stabbing two people in Carlsbad Sunday officials said.

The two stabbing victims were rushed to the hospital from a home in the 6400-block of Terraza Portico.

When Carlsbad police officers arrived at the address around 11 p.m. Sunday, they found two people suffering from stab wounds. Officials have not released the extent of the victims’ injuries or their identities.

A witness told police officers he saw a man leave the scene on foot.

Police said they soon found Kevin Rachford, 38, and arrested in on suspicion of two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Officers said Rachford was also hospitalized for injuries he sustained.

Neighbors in the gated community were shocked and surprised by the crime.

Parts of Terraza Portico were closed in the criminal investigation.

Check back for updates on this developing story.
 

Exactly two years after Rebecca Zahau’s body was found hanging at a historic mansion in Coronado, her family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit claiming her death was a murder, not a suicide.

The $10 million lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court – one day before the two-year anniversary of Zahau’s death - according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The suit names Adam and Dina Shacknai, the brother and ex-wife of Zahau’s millionaire boyfriend, as well as Nina Romano, Dina Shacknai’s twin sister.

On July 13, 2011, Zahau, 32, was found nude hanging from a balcony at the famous Spreckels Mansion in Coronado.

Her death came two days after boyfriend Jonah Shacknai’s 6-year-old son, Max Shacknai, fatally fell at the home while under Zahau’s watch.

TIMELINE: Deaths at Coronado Spreckels Mansion

Ultimately, homicide investigators from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department concluded that Zahau had committed suicide.

When Sheriff Bill Gore and his detectives revealed the results of their investigation in September 2011, sources told NBC 7 that investigators believed Zahau felt tremendous guilt over Max’s death, leading to her suicide.

Over the past two years, Zahau’s family has been very vocal about the case, refusing to accept the suicide ruling.

This past May, the Zahau family and their attorneys filed a lawsuit demanding the case be reopened. While the family didn’t identify potential suspects, they claimed all evidence in the case points to homicide.

"Anybody that looks at this objectively, doesn't see suicide," said attorney Marty Rudoy in May 2013. “My guess is 99.9% of people in the world think this is a homicide and the only people who think it’s a suicide are the authorities in San Diego.”

At that time, Zahau’s sister, Snowem, said there had been no communication between the Zahau family and her late sister’s former fiancé, millionaire Jonah Shacknai, since Zahau’s death.

Snowem said Zahau never indicated that the Shacknai family blamed her for Max’s fatal fall, and was therefore not suicidal at the time of her death.

“We’re not just looking for compelling evidence of suicide, we’re looking for any evidence of suicide,” said Zahau family attorney David Fleck back in May. “I believe there are several people who should have been in jail later that day that Rebecca was found dead and they should’ve been charged with first degree murder within two days after.

Days after San Diego Mayor Bob Filner’s former supporters and political allies first publicly asked for his resignation in light of “credible” evidence of sexual harassment in the mayor’s office, the same group said they will read statements from several alleged victims at an event Monday.

Special Section: Mayor Under Fire

The event, scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. at the Civic Center Plaza, was announced by environmental attorney Marco Gonzalez and confirmed by NBC 7.

Gonzalez said he will appear with former City Councilmember Donna Frye and attorney Cory Briggs – the same group that said they know of “numerous” women who were allegedly subjected to “unfortunate and reprehensible circumstances” while working for Mayor Filner.

Filner appeared Sunday at the 2013 San Diego LGBT Pride celebration, smiling and shaking hands.

“Everybody's saying they support me,” Filner told NBC 7. “They're saying you've been great on our issues we need you to stay.”

Filner has lost the support of several prominent members of the Democratic Party who have called for his resignation. An effort to recall him is also underway.

The City Attorney’s office said Friday that no formal claims have been filed against the mayor or the city.
 

The Northeast is sweltering in what's expected to become its fiercest heat wave yet this summer, and major cities have issued heat advisories and urged people to take cover in the face of nearly 100-degree heat.

Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings have been issued in New York City, where the temperature reached 94 degrees midday, as well as for all of Connecticut, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and parts of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions. Temperatures were expected to reach the mid-90s in Washington and to flirt with 100 in Connecticut.

The National Weather Service said the heat index in New York — the temperature it feels like outside — could reach as high as 105 by Thursday and Friday. It will feel similar in Washington, thanks to a combination of heat and stifling humidity.

A dome of high pressure is to blame, according to forecasters. That dome isn't expected to move until a cold front moves in Friday.

Even the wee hours won't prove a respite from the heat, meteorologists warned. In the middle of the night Monday, Philadelphia will still feel like 90 degrees.

Weather.com meteorologist Jon Erdman noted that such a lack in a break from the heat has often contributed to heat-related deaths, and cities are taking precautions to protect those most vulnerable to the heat.

New York opened cooling centers for residents without air conditioning of their own, while Philadelphia urged people to check on their older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure their homes were cool enough.

Public health officials urged people to avoid strenuous activity and spending too much time in the heat and to be sure to stay hydrated.

Still, meteorologist Erdman said, it could be much worse.

"If there is a small silver lining in this heat wave, we're not expecting triple-digit heat in most locations," he said.
 

A 6-year-old boy buried for hours under sand at the Indiana Dunes is moving his arms and legs, doctors said.

The medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit at the University of Chicago Medicine told reporters Nathan Woessner is under sedation and is breathing with a ventilator until his lungs can fully function. The breathing tube could be removed by the end of the week, Dr. Tracy Koogler said, and he'll likey be released from the hospital in 10-14 days.

"He was breathing at some level on his own when he was found," Koogler said. "I expected him to arrive much sicker than he did."

Woessner spent three-and-a-half hours trapped in the sand Friday night and remains in critical condition at Comer Children's Hospital. Hospital spokesman John Easton said the boy is breathing with a ventilator.

The boy fell inside a sinkhole sometime after 4 p.m. Friday at Mt. Baldy in Michigan City, Ind.

Woessner's grandfather, Pastor Don Reul, said the boy was at the dunes with his parents and another couple. The boy was walking to the top of Mt. Baldy with his dad, an adult friend of the family and another boy when he fell.

"Part of the way up, Nathan stepped into a sink hole and disappeared out of the sight," Reul said. "They immediately went back, and he was nowhere to be seen. The ground had swallowed him up."

Woessner was hollering out, Reul said, and they frantically began to dig to get him out.

Officials say Woessner was found 11 feet down in the sand. Michigan City Fire Chief Ronnie Martin said his crews used heavy machinery to locate the boy.

A park spokesman said the boy's family did not see him fall inside the hole but saw him inside and tried to dig him out.
 

A Florida man trying to prove his innocence by commenting on a Pasco Sheriff Office's Facebook post about himself led authorities right to him.

Matthew Oliver, 23, was the sheriff's office Facebook page's "Fugitive of the Day" Wednesday for his connection with a robbery. He commented on the post later that day and continued to comment, which ultimately led to his arrest on Friday.

"You guys are going to pay for A. Believing a crack head. and B. Slandering my name," Oliver wrote on Wednesday. "I already heard about this whole thing and I was in the hospital the day of."

Eight minutes later he commented again.

"I get out of the hospital for 2 months and I have to come back to this sh**. I swear on everything I own Pasco County WILL be held responsible for this."

As of Monday morning, the original post has been shared more than 400 times and has about 400 comments.

One Facebook user commented, "Really!?!? You're not doing a good job hiding." Another user wrote, "He'll be on "World's Dumbest Criminals" in no time..."

Even the Pasco Fugitive Warrants, another Facebook account associated with the sheriff's office, commented.

"Matthew Oliver if you would like to discuss your active warrant, please call the Fugitive Warrants Unit at 813-235-6064."

Deputies said Oliver became a fugitive in December when he and a friend punched a man in the face and stole a wallet containing $260, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

However, Oliver posted that his warrant was inactive, and he was in the hospital being treated for an infection during the time in question.

The Pasco Fugitive Warrants commented again Friday verifying that Oliver was in the hospital, and he should call them "if he feels he does not fit the definition of the word 'fugitive.'"

Later that day, Oliver had been arrested.

"Members of the Fugitive Warrants Unit observed Matt Oliver as he walked into an apartment wearing a T-shirt," the Pasco Fugitive Warrants commented on the post. "Moments later he came back outside where it is 80 degrees, wearing a camouflage jacket with the hood up. He was apprehended without any resistance."

His comments helped lead deputies to him, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Before being arrested, Oliver had 15 comments on the post.

Oliver is still being held in jail on a $5,000 bond for robbery by sudden snatching, according to online jail records. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney.

Right before Pasco Fugitive Warrants commented that Oliver was arrested, one user said "this has been an entertaining couple of days for sure."

More Stories: 

• Man Leaves 7-Year-Old Girl on Median After DUI Crash
  
• Florida Burglar Left Joker Calling Card: Cops
  
• Florida Mom Arrested After Daughter Injured in Drug Deal: Cops

The co-defendant in the high-profile trial of former Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell cried before a judge as she asked for leniency in her sentencing.

Eileen O'Neill, 56, was sentenced to six to 23 months house arrest on conspiracy and corruption charges during a sentencing hearing Monday. The house arrest sentencing will be followed by two years probation and she will need to complete 100 hours of community service.

Prosecutors said O'Neill pretended to be a licensed physician at Dr. Gosnell's West Philadelphia clinic, the Women's Medical Society, when in fact she was unlicensed. She did, however, have a medical degree.

The Commonwealth also argued O'Neill lied to insurance companies and patients and billed for services she was not allowed to perform. Her attorney argued there was no evidence O'Neill charged for her services.

A jury eventually found sufficient evidence to find O'Neill guilty on a number of the charges in May.

During Monday's hearing, members of O'Neill's family took the stand, each calling her a "giver" and praising her generosity to not only the family, but everyone around her.

Paul White, O'Neill's brother, who was a patient at the clinic's general practice and said he met Kermit Gosnell, asked Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart to "have a heart and show mercy."

"I think my sister has suffered enough," he said.

Attorney James Berardinelli called O'Neill's mother to the stand.

Corinne White, who had already sent a letter to Judge Minehart pleading her daughter's case, described how O'Neill does everything for her. She said it would kill her if her daughter was taken into custody.

"Maybe not today, but in two weeks I'd be dead," White said while family members cried.

But Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore said she saw a different Eileen O'Neill.

Pescatore described how she traveled to Louisiana to find out more on O'Neill, where the unlicensed doctor had previous troubles while working at a Baton Rouge, La. abortion clinic.

Pescatore claimed that O'Neill was "not always truthful" and cited that she was previously charged with perjury in this trial.

She went into detail on the night of Karnamaya Mongar's death.

Mongar, a 41-year-old immigrant, went into cardiac arrest in Dr. Gosnell's clinic and died the next morning at a nearby hospital.

Pescatore said O'Neill ran upstairs and hid rather than help, and that she ran out of the clinic during an FBI raid "because she had things to hide."

O'Neill herself was the last one to speak, extending her deepest apologies to the court, her family and even the victims.

She said she only wanted to help, and regretted not telling her patients that she did not have a medical license. "I just wanted to give them care," a tearful O'Neill said.

Judge Minehart offered his take on O'Neill's case, saying he was stunned that "someone with so much education can work in these conditions."

The Women's Medical Society, at 3801 Lancaster Avenue, was described by investigators as a "house of horrors." Filthy conditions and even human remains were found throughout the facility.

But the judge offered sympathy and said he did not think the punishment should be at the expense of O'Neill's mother.

O'Neill was tried alongside Dr. Gosnell in his capital murder trial, a proceeding that stretched on for months in Philadelphia. While other clinic employees took plea deals in exchange for their testimony, O'Neill maintained her innocence and fought the charges.

Dr. Gosnell is serving three consecutive life terms for the murder of babies born alive during abortion procedures. O'Neill was not implicated in the murders.

A five-week sting operation netted 255 suspected child sex predators and identified dozens of victims, authorities announced Monday morning.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Internet Crimes Against Children task forces throughout the country and U.S. territories conducted the Operation iGuardian sting From May 28 through June 30.

The massive operation to identify and rescue sexually exploited children found 61 children exploited – some by pictures and videos posted online, others abused by direct physical contact. Many of the victims were blackmailed into sending explicit photos to the predator, part of a “disturbing trend” in which predators increasingly use the Internet to get children to produce and share such material, investigators said.

“We are in the midst of a very, very serious fight against child abusers and pornographers,” ICE Director John Morton said. “These 255 arrests are an important blow in the fight, but we need everyone’s help.”

In addition to chatting online with minors about sex and encouraging the children to send explicit images and video, predators also attempted to set up meetings for sex.

Four of the identified victims were under the age of 3, five were ages 4-6, 13 were 7-9, 10 were 10-12, 23 were 13-15 and six were 16-17. Forty-two were girls and 19 were boys.

Six victims were identified in Maryland.

• Breakdown of where suspects were found and victims were identified.
  

Of those arrested, 244 were in the U.S., nine were teachers and three were clergy. Four suspects are women, and 251 are men. Five people were arrested in Maryland and one was arrested in Virginia or D.C.

Maryland’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force assisted federal authorities in the operation.

“Thanks to the essential support of our federal partners and the dedicated efforts of our task force members, Maryland’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has had a significant impact on our fight against the Internet exploitation of children,” Maryland State Police Superintendent Col. Marcus L. Brown said. “Since 2000, Maryland’s task force has been responsible for 526 arrests of men and women who were attempting to victimize our most vulnerable citizens – our children. I applaud the dedicated members of the 61 task forces across our nation, who daily work together in cyberspace tracking down those who prey on our children.”

Authorities highlighted three significant arrests:

Jimmy Caraballo-Colon, 25, a former high school cheerleading coach and athlete from Caguas, Puerto Rico, was arrested June 4 by the HSI Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force (PRCACTF) after it was discovered by the Greenwood Village Police Department in Colorado that he was blackmailing a 17-year-old girl he met online in an anonymous Internet video chat website. Through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, investigators identified a second victim, a 15-year-old girl in California. Further investigation led to another 15-year-old girl in the Netherlands, and leads are currently being pursued regarding two 15 and 16-year-old girls in Australia. Investigators believe there are more than 80 potential victims who remain unidentified.

John David Boyle, 49, a former middle school teacher from Glendora, Calif., was arrested June 5, during an undercover sting operation in his classroom, by HSI Los Angeles and the multi-agency ICAC. Boyle has been indicted and charged with enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity over the Internet. He has also been charged with advertisement of online child pornography, as well as distribution, receipt and attempted receipt and possession of child pornography. Believing the undercover investigator shared his sexual interest in young boys, Boyle allegedly set up an in-person meeting in his middle school classroom for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity while watching child pornography. Investigators have identified a 14-year-old boy who was a victim of sexual contact with the defendant and believe that there are additional victims in this ongoing case.

Eduardo Arturo Romero Barrios, a Mexican national, 33, was arrested June 26, by the Mexican Attorney General’s Office with the assistance of the Mexican Federal Police in Monterrey, Mexico. The arrest followed a lead by HSI Mexico City and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children from a social media provider about a user who was pretending to be a young teenage girl in order to elicit provocative images from minors via the social networking site. Romero Barrios was then extorting the minors to provide more sexually explicit material by threatening to expose the images he had acquired from them throughout the Internet. Investigators – with the assistance of HSI Little Rock and the Arkansas Area 4 ICAC – have identified two victims, boys ages 11 and 13 in Arkansas, and are pursuing leads into at least three other children: a 10-year old Kentucky girl, and two others in Australia and the Ukraine. Investigators believe there are other potential victims who Barrios may have exploited.

In fiscal year 2013, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations has arrested 1,674 suspected child predators. Over the past 10 years, operations like iGuardian have helped authorities arrest 10,000 people.

The California Highway Patrol issued a Sig Alert after a work truck crashed into a big rig near Camp Pendleton.

The accident happened around 12:45 p.m. Monday on northbound Interstate 5, right before the border patrol checkpoint.

According to CHP, the semi-truck was stopped in the slow lane waiting to get weighed. That’s when the other truck slammed into it.

CHP identified the driver of the work truck as Rea Gama, 46. The truck belonged to a landscaping company out of Santa Ana.

Gama was trapped in the truck for approximately 45 minutes, according to officials. A helicopter landed on the freeway and flew the victim to Scripps La Jolla. Officials said his injuries appear to be minor.

The semi-truck driver, 39-year-old Rafeal Luna, wasn’t hurt, according to CHP.

CHP had to close two lanes, backing up traffic for miles. All lanes are now open, but a Sig Alert remains in effect.
 

Efforts to repair a portion of the 5 Freeway that was damaged in a weekend tanker fire near Dodger Stadium were ahead of schedule Monday afternoon, as Caltrans announced two northbound lanes had reopened earlier than expected.

Caltrans officials opened two lanes just in time for Monday morning's commute, and by early Tuesday, they were able to successfuly reopen all lanes of both the 2 and 5 freeways .

All lanes of the northbound 5 Freeway opened by midnight Tuesday morning, the southbound side of the 5 Freeway opened about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The transition road that connects the northbound 2 and 5 freeways, however, remained closed as of 4:20 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Traffic Page: Maps

"We want to make sure this road is 100 percent safe before we open it up to the public," Mike Miles, Caltrans District 7 director, said at a 4 p.m. news conference.

The fiery Saturday morning crash happened in a tunnel on the Glendale (2) Freeway at the Golden State (5) Freeway interchange north of downtown Los Angeles. The fire was fueled by about 8,500 gallons of gas, firefighters said.

The tunnel is expected to be partially closed for at least a week as Caltrans engineers examine the tunnel’s core to determine the extent of the damage, Miles said.

Crews will first get the freeway "fully functioning" so drivers can use the roadway, but will continue making "permanent repairs" after the freeway reopens, Miles said, adding that those repairs likely will bring intermittent closures.

Meanwhile, drivers tried to figure out alternatives routes around the closures as traffic officers directed drivers on nearby surface streets.

"I know the area really well," said driver Laura Garvner. "So, I'm able to take the streets. I know the shortcuts."

A portion of the southbound 5 Freeway at Fletcher Drive reopened early Monday. The southbound 2 Freeway connector to the southbound 5 Freeway and northbound 2 Freeway at Glendale Boulevard also reopened Monday morning.

Motorists were advised to use alternate routes, including exits on Fletcher and Riverside drives. Authorities also recommended people use buses and commuter trains to get through the heavily traveled route which links the suburbs north of LA with downtown.

Monday afternoon, Aram Sahakian, with LA DOT, said he was "pleasantly surprised" that commuters heeded warnings to stay away from the damaged freeway so as to mitigate traffic.

Metro Gold Line passengers were told to expect increased parking demand because of the road closures.

Some 300,000 motorists travel that stretch of 5 Freeway every day, officials said.

The closures meant alternate routes for many fans who attended two weekend games at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers' next game at the stadium is scheduled for July 25 after the All-Star Game break and two series on the road.

The tanker truck driver, identified as 52-year-old Jose Castanon of Bellflower, told authorities that he blew a tire before crashing and managed to get out of his truck, which exploded into flames, with only minor injuries.

The fire damaged the tunnel and overpass.

"It's going to require that we keep this tunnel closed for a very long time," said Patrick Chandler, of the California Department of Transportation.

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A San Marcos man is fighting to stay in the country after he was detained by the Border Patrol.

It has been nearly a week since Deysi Merino has seen her father Teodulfo Merino. She says he was on his way to his construction job in San Juan Capistrano last Saturday when he was stopped near a border patrol checkpoint and detained.

"I don't understand why my Dad's still in there, when he has no criminal record,” said the 20-year-old Cal State San Marcos student.

But 44-year-old Teodulfo is undocumented and has been living in San Marcos since 1997. He is married, has U.S. Citizen children and a clean criminal record, which Immigration Attorney Lilia Velasquez says, could work in his favor.

It may even allow him to stay in the U.S. legally.

“Certainly having U.S. Citizen children is one of the factors the border patrol will take into account,” said Velasquez.

But at the same time it can get complicated.

“You have cases where the person had a prior deportation, many many years ago, has U.S. citizen kids and other family members who are legal in the U.S. But under the law, the deportation can be reinstated,” added Velasquez.

Which is what Border Patrol says is the case for Merino. They say he was previously deported then came back and is now being held at the ICE detention center in El Centro.

A spokeswoman for ICE tells NBC 7, although his case is not considered criminal, his previous deportation puts him on ICE's high priority list for an immediate removal from the country.

“So it could be that he might be able to stay here, but not for long,” explained Velasquez.

But for Merino’s wife and five children, it could mean that they will have to fend for themselves.

Teodulfo's deportation all depends on whether he could prove that going back to his original country, in this case Mexico, would cause an extreme hardship.

His family has hired an attorney. Border Patrol also tell NBC 7 that Merino is trying to seeking asylum because he says his life would be threatened in Mexico.

Right now he remains in custody pending the results of a hearing.