Hundreds of San Diegans gathered on the roof of the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego to help a little girl most have never met.

A day after Christmas, Kylie Rowand was diagnosed with Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma. When her health started declining, the 21-month-old girl moved from San Diego to Los Angeles for medical treatment.

On Wednesday, she and her family flew to New York for a specialized treatment at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital.

Over the last several months, Kylie’s story spread over social media and caught the eyes of Jamie-Lynne Knighten and Hard Rock Hotel Spa Director Krystal Champion.

“As a mother of two I wanted to try and do whatever I can. I would hope someone would do the same thing if I were in the same situation,” said Champion.

Knighten and Champion spent the last few months organizing a yoga-spa fundraiser that kicked off Thursday. More than 300 people attended. They hoped to raise between $10-$15,000.

“[Kylie’s story] just touched me so incredibly deeply,” said Knighten adding that she and Champion wanted to do something to help.

A handful of Kylie’s relatives were there including her grandfather Larry Olds.

“Most of these people have never met her. Just seeing her on the internet has drawn them to her,” said Olds. “It's just amazing. Just amazing.”

All proceeds from the event will go to help the family. Visit Kylie’s Facebook page.
 

A massive, 500-year-old oak tree unexpectedly split in half and toppled into a private roadway in Fallbrook Friday morning, bringing power lines down with it.

The incident happened around 6:35 a.m. on San Jacinto Terrace. As the tree fell, it plowed through a small white fence and into a yard and private roadway of residents.

No one was injured, but power lines were taken down by the enormous falling tree. San Diego Gas & Electric said this left approximately 137 customers without power in portions of surrounding areas including South Fallbrook, Bonsall and San Luis Rey Heights.

A tree company was called to clean up the mess. Workers said the tree, which showed some signs of decay, would take about four hours to remove from the area.

SDG&E said power was expected to be fully restored to customers by about 3 p.m.

Residents who live in the area where the oak tree fell said an arborist had recently visited and verified the tree was more than 500 years old.

Tom Meriwether, who's lived in the area for 30 years, said it's hard knowing the tree will no longer be around.

“I’ve walked by this tree countless times in 30 years. It was a magnificent tree. Obviously very, very old; really a part of the neighborhood,” Meriwether told NBC 7.

“It was a magnificent, beautiful tree and it’s really sad to see it go. It’s like a death in the neighborhood. We’re really going to miss it,” he added.

Meriwether said the roadway in front of the tree serves as a main walking path for residents, many of which take daily walks in the area, himself included.

Resident Mike Lloyd, who's lived in the neighborhood for 62 years, said he and his wife often walk that path and wonder about the old oak tree.

“Every time we walked by, we always thought, ‘That tree is going to fall someday,’ and it did. It’s so big, so enormous – 150 feet across and 500 years old – someday it was going to come down,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd said he often worried about the tree toppling unexpectedly, especially because his wife rides her horse on that roadway on a regular basis and many of his neighbors walk that path.

Looking at it from a safety standpoint, Lloyd said he's glad the tree is now gone.

Still, Meriwether is hopeful that another tree will grow in its place.

He said a tree expert came by and said the roots of the oak tree may still be intact, and could possibly give life to a new tree.

The fallen tree didn't block access to and from the area Friday, so residents were still able to come and go as needed.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier press release, provided by the Dallas Police Department, had the citizen's name spelled Ambrosio Monsavais. On Friday night, police issued the correct name as Ambrosio Monsivais. The name has been corrected in the article. 

Dallas Police Chief David Brown has terminated one of his own. Officer Rene Villanueva has been terminated from his position with the Dallas Police Department after an internal affairs investigation found he used excessive force during a traffic stop.

According to Dallas police, "an internal affairs investigation found that Villanueva failed to conduct a proper felony stop following a pursuit, used excessive force against a citizen and brought discredit to the department." On March 12, Villanueva was indicted by a Dallas County grand jury on charges of official oppression and assault.

The indictment comes after an incident on Nov. 10, 2013 which was caught on police dashcam video. According to DPD, Villanueva was working off-duty at a club in the 400 block of South Buckner Boulevard when he watched Ambrosio Monsivais speed through the parking lot in the early hours of the morning.

Officer Villanueva, who was in a marked squad car, tried to pull Monsivais over, but according to Dallas police, Monsivais fled.

According to investigators, Villanueva caught up with Monsivais a short time later and managed to pull him over, but Villanueva failed to perform a required felony stop and even approached the vehicle with his gun drawn.

Dashcam video shows Villanueva opening the door of Monsivais' pick-up truck, reaching into the truck and making a punching motion, striking the driver inside several times.

Video also shows Villanueva forcing Monsivais to the ground and delivering several more blows while trying to handcuff him.

The president of the National Latino Peace Officers Assocation said the video doesn't tell the whole story of what preceded the confrontation.

"What people don't know is that Rene observed this suspect hit a Dallas Sheriff's officer, which injured his knee, he hit two parked cars in the parking lot," said Robert Arredondo. "He chased him, if you watch the video, you will see the suspect had no regard for oncoming traffic or any person in the area."

Villanueva joined the Dallas Police Department in March of 2007 and was assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division.

According to the department, under civil service rules, he has the right to appeal. Villanueva does plan to appeal his termination, as well as the criminal charges he faces.

Monsivais, 27, remains in the Dallas County Jail. He's charged with DWI, felony evading arrest and aggravated assault on a public servant. He has an immigration hold as well according to police.

NBC 5's Randy McIlwain contributed to this report.

Two special California condors - numbers 183 and 184 - hatched this week at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

The chicks, the first two of the season, are the result of the San Diego Zoo Global’s California condor breeding program.

The program started when there were only 22 condors left in the world. This year’s first chick arrived on March 14 and became the 183rd chick to be hatched at the park.

The baby that arrived four days later became the 184th for the program.

Both newborn condors will be considered for future release in the wild.

Now that there are more than 200 condors flying free in California, Arizona and Baja California, Mexico, experts are hopeful that a condor hatched in the wild will produce the first second-generation wild bird. 

A rollover accident near the Tijuana River Valley has turned fatal, San Diego Fire-Rescue officials said.

Police said a man was driving fast in the 2600 block of Monument Road around 3:30 p.m. Friday. 

He lost control and hit a raised curb of asphalt and rock, and his 1998 Toyota Tacoma truck rolled off the road. 

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene from severe head injuries. 

Police said they closed the intersection of Hollister and Monument roads while the investigation continued, and officers were providing traffic control. 

 Five new cases of pertussis – also known as whopping cough – have been reported in San Diego County, and health officials say others may have been exposed.

In all the new cases, each infant or teen was up–to-date for their age on immunizations that should prevent whooping cough, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency.

An infant contracted the disease at the Naval Air Station North Island Child Development Center, and another baby got it at Olivenhain Country Preschool in Encinitas.

The other cases were among three 15-year-olds at James Madison High School, University City High School and Steele Canyon High School.

So far this year, 139 cases of pertussis have been reported in the county, compared to 31 by this time last year.

A total of 430 cases were reported in 2013, 165 in 2012 and a recent high of 1,179 in 2010.

• READ: California Sees Surge in Kids' Whooping Cough Cases

Symptoms include a cough and runny nose for the first week or two, followed by weeks to months of coughing fits that end with the characteristic whooping sound.

“Pertussis continues to infect infants and children throughout San Diego County and it is important that they, as well as their caretakers and household contacts, obtain the recommended vaccines,” said County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten.

If you or your child contracts it, antibiotics can lessen the severity of the symptoms and prevent it from spreading.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children get DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) vaccine doses at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.

Preteens and adults can get a Tdap booster shot.

For more information about vaccination clinics, visit the San Diego Immunization Program website.

 An ultralight aircraft that crashed in the Laguna Mountains early Friday morning was carrying about 250 pounds of marijuana, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s air patrol discovered the downed aircraft before 9 a.m. Friday.

It had slammed into a dead oak tree and landed in a remote area of eastern San Diego County at an elevation of 4,000 feet.

When ICE and Border Patrol officials arrived to investigate the crash site, they found discarded gear and a single pair of footprints leading away from the scene.

There were no traces of blood, so authorities believe the pilot walked away without serious injuries.

Agents confiscated the marijuana from the wreckage.

“HSI agents in San Diego are aggressively pursuing leads involving the dangerous use of ultralight aircraft to smuggle small loads of drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border,” said Mike Carney, acting special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego.

There is still serious danger in ultralight smuggling, despite the fact that the pilot escaped unscathed in this instance, Carney said.

All evidence, including a helmet, gloves and other equipment, is being processed, and the HIS investigation continues.

The superintendent of the Alpine Union School District will step down from his position later this year, a district spokesperson confirmed Friday.

According to the spokesperson, Superintendent Tom Pellegrino will resign, effective after the end of the 2014 school year.

Pellegrino made the announcement to his staff and Alpine parents, explaining that he and his family will be moving to Costa Rica, where his kids will attend a dual immersion school. 

"Since before our children were born, my wife and I set a goal to raise our kids in a Spanish speaking country for at least two years to give them the gift of bilingualism, teach them about simplicity, and to expose them to a true global perspective," said Pellegrino in a release. "This is the last chance to accomplish these goals before our kids would re-enter the States in middle / high school. We have the opportunity to do it, and we are seizing it."

Pellegrino has held the position for the last four years, calling it an honor to serve Alpine students. 

A press release lists Pellegrino's recent accomplishments, including a Spanish immersion program, technological infrastructure enhancements and student leadership/character focus.

The list also mentions an agreement with the Alpine Teachers Association that "will bring financial stability to the district."

But that agreement was hard to come by. 

Last month, Alpine teachers went on strike. The school board had approved a 7.85 percent salary cut and an $8,000 cap on health benefit contributions, which went into effect Jan. 1.

The teacher’s strike ended on Feb. 25 after an agreement was reached, Pellegrino said.

Under the agreement, which begins April 1, teacher salaries will be cut by 5.5-percent, not by 7.5-percent as originally proposed. Teachers said they were happy with the agreement and were glad to return to their classrooms.

This was the first teacher’s strike in San Diego County since 1996.
 

Miami's Jungle Island welcomed the birth of two liger cubs earlier this week.

A male and female were born. The cubs come from a female royal white Bengal tiger and an African white lion male.

• Related: Jungle Island Opening New Lion's Den

“Currently, our dedicated team of animal specialists are nursing them around the clock to ensure they receive proper sustenance and nutrients. The next few weeks are going to be crucial to their survival,” said Dr. Jason Chatfield, vice president of zoological operations.

Once the cubs have been given a clean bill of health, they will be on display for the public to check them out. They have not been named yet.

Male ligers reach an average 900 pounds and can reach up to 12 feet when standing on their hind legs.

Deputies responding to a Salinas residence on March 14 to investigate child neglect allegations found three malnourished children, one chained to the floor.

During the investigation, deputies found very little food in the house, which they described as “cluttered and dirty.”

The children - two boys and a girl - exhibited signs of physical and emotional abuse, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said.

One of the children was hospitalized and the other two were taken into protective custody by CPS, the sheriff’s office said.

The children were found in a starved condition, they said. The girl had been chained to the floor to keep her from obtaining food.

Sheriff Scott Miller said that the little girl has been described as looking like someone who lived in a concentration camp.

The suspects, Eraca Dawn Craig, 31, and Christian Jessica Deanda, 44, of Salinas were arrested for numerous child abuse-related cases.

 Tattoos have once again become the topic of controversy throughout the U.S. military after new grooming standards for the Army were apparently leaked online.

The updated Army Regulation 670-1 includes new policies on uniform wear, fingernail polish and hair standards, but the tattoo policy is getting the most buzz.

In San Diego, Esteban Baena with Lucky’s Tattoo Parlor said nine out of ten people who walk in the door to get a tattoo are in the military.

“The first thing they want to do is show their pride, you know. ’I'm a Marine, I'm a sailor, and I'm going to get something that represents that,’” said Baena.

Navy sailor Tyler Phillips has dozens of tattoos, but because he wears a long-sleeved camouflage uniform every day, you’d never know it, he said.

“In the Navy, we wear long sleeved camos every day. People look at me and I'm, you know, clean cut with glasses. People don't think I have full-body tattoos until I wear short sleeves and short shorts,” said Phillips.

His tattoos actually prevented him from joining the Army. He said officials told him he couldn’t show 25 percent of any limb.

Now, those Army restrictions are getting even tougher, making it the strictest of the branches when it comes to tattoos.

Ink is not allowed on members’ faces, heads, necks or hands. Soldiers may have no more than four visible tattoos below the knee or elbow - and they must be smaller than the size of the wearer’s hand.

Sleeve tattoos on arms or legs are not allowed, and enlisted soldiers who exceed the limit cannot request commissioning and they are not grandfathered in, as the Army Times reports.

Those restrictions don’t sit well with Phillips.

“I think it's bogus that tattoos are going to, you know, kind of define someone in the workplace,” said Phillips. “It doesn't have anything to do with how you work.”

Advocates say the change in policy will help the Army be more selective, helping it reduce the force by 80,000 as drawdowns continue.

But opponents wonder if the Army may not be able to enlist good recruits because of their ink.

Commanders will be required to perform an annual check on their charges for new tattoos or brands in prohibited locations.

Other changes include sideburns that can’t go below the bottom of the ear opening, and female soldiers will now be able to wear their hair in ponytails during physical training.

In 2011, the Marine Corps restricted the display of tattoos, and just last month, the corps rescinded orders that everyone keep their sleeves down to cover the ink.

A month after the city's medical examiner ruled that the cause and manner of Avonte Oquendo's death could not be determined, the autistic boy's brother says his family is still haunted by the uncertainty of what happened to him in his last hours.

In a blog post published on the website Autism Speaks, Danny Oquendo recalls the terror and grief he felt following the months of Avonte's disappearance last October. 

"Picture in your mind having a loved one who does not possess the ability to communicate effectively. Now imagine this loved one lost in the biggest city in the world, alone, cold, hungry, afraid or worse," Oquendo wrote.

"How you’re feeling right now is just a fraction of the pain we endured for the months following Avonte’s disappearance. Not knowing whether we would see our beloved Avonte again ate away our souls," he said. 

• Family, Friends Gather for Funeral of Avonte Oquendo

Avonte's remains were recovered from the East River near College Point in Queens in January.

Oquendo said his family thinks that after Avonte ran out of his Long Island City school, "in his frightened and panic state, he possibly jumped into the water and drowned."

Oquendo said he's determined to never let another family experience the same tragedy. 

"While we may never know what exactly happened to my younger brother, what we can do is help to avoid this tragic event from happening again," he wrote. "The waves created by this catastrophic incident will ripple through time forcing immediate change to the current security standards of schools across the country, starting with the ones here in New York."

Oquendo says he believes change is possible because he witnessed just how quickly and tightly New Yorkers banded together in their mission to find Avonte, calling it "one of the most inspiring events to ever occur in my lifetime." 

"The community came together for a common cause in such an unparalleled way that it renewed my faith in the kindness of humanity. The people of New York responded to our anguish with a tremendous amount of support and vigilance," said Oqeundo.

• Volunteers Swarm NYC Neighborhoods in Search for Missing Autistic Boy
• Autistic Community Gets Involved in Search for Avonte

"What was even more inspiring was that every volunteer I had the opportunity of meeting acted as if Avonte was their own flesh and blood. It turns out that before it was all said and done Avonte did indeed become the beloved son of the city. His story touched everyone’s heart and everyone wanted to ensure that he was found safe and sound."

Oqeundo believes Avonte's death "could have been avoided if the school system had only ensured that schools were better equipped to handle children with autism."

• School's Response to Avonte Oquendo's Disappearance Was Delayed, Disorganized, Attorney Says

Oquendo said he hopes tragedy spurs momentum to fund schools for proper training and better security.

He added: "Finally, let this be a reminder that at the end of the day, as tough as New Yorkers are, we can come together as one to achieve common goals that are in the best interest of our children, our loved ones, and our city."

Oqeundo concludes in his post: "On behalf of my family, I would like to thank all the searchers, marchers and everyone who held us in their thoughts for the love and support you have displayed during these extremely rough times. God bless you."

Oquendo's family's attorney filed a notice of claim in October, the first step in suing the city, and has publicly listed a number of mistakes he alleges contributed to the boy's disappearance and what he has described as a flawed search effort.

The city's law department has called the boy's death a tragedy and said its attorneys will review a lawsuit when it's filed.

The sunshine, the sand, the boardwalk: Mission Beach is a staple of the San Diego scene. This year it celebrates its centennial, with a special community kickoff event set for Saturday.

At 10 a.m., locals are invited to meet at either end of Ocean Front Walk where centennial leaders will then lead the way along the boardwalk to a dedication ceremony.

At 11 a.m., the monument and plaque dedication ceremony commemorating 100 years of fun in the sun at Mission Beach will take place on the boardwalk at the southwest corner of Belmont Park. Local dignitaries, leaders and residents from the community will be present for the permanent placement of this special plaque.

The free event is open to the public, and will also include tales of local history. Refreshments will be served by Olive Café, The Firehouse and Caffe Calabria.

This walk and ceremony will officially kick off a yearlong centennial celebration that will bring a host of events to Mission Beach in 2014.

Upcoming events include the walkable food tasting tour, Taste of Mission Beach, set for Apr. 10, and the vintage car event, Father’s Day Cruise to Belmont Park, on Jun. 15.

On Jul. 15, the historic PLUNGE heated pool will host a “Dive-In Movie” for families and on Aug. 3, a Horseshoe Tournament will go down at Mariners Point. Additional events are scheduled for August and September.

Beginning Saturday, the Centennial Museum Booth at Belmont Park will also open to the public. The booth – open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 27 – will boast vintage relics and memorabilia from Mission Beach’s past. This includes more than 200 historical photos compiled into a DVD that’s available for purchase.

Mission Beach, built on a sandbar between the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay, came to be in 1914. In June of that year, the official subdivision map of the community was surveyed. By December, 14, 2014, it was adopted by the Common Council of San Diego, becoming the first official map of Mission Beach.

Today, the popular beach community spans nearly two miles of ocean front views and boasts a boardwalk frequented bicyclists, joggers and casual strollers. Along the boardwalk, dozens of eateries and small shops offer snacks a trinkets, and a wall offers a relaxing place to rest and gaze out at the ocean.

For more details on the Mission Beach Centennial celebration, visit the event website.

Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped at 14 and held captive for months, doesn't regret what's happened to her, she told NBC 7 in her first visit to San Diego since her kidnapping 11 years ago.

"I don't want to say that I wanted it to happen, because I certainly didn't," Smart said. "But just because of what it's allowed me to do, what it's taught me, the people I've been able to work with and meet – because of that, I don't regret what's happened to me." 

Smart returned to San Diego to speak at a conference about empowering women. 

It's her first time back to the area since being held prisoner in a dry riverbed in Lakeside during her nine months of captivity.

Smart was just 14 when she was snatched from the bedroom of her family home in Salt Lake City by street preacher Brian David Mitchell. Mitchell will spend the rest of his life in prison for kidnapping and raping the teenager while holding her captive.

Now 26, Smart spoke openly to NBC 7 about her terrifying experience and about how she's been able to find peace and joy after such a traumatic event.

"I know every one of us faces choices in life. We all have our hard times, we all have our good times, and it's really not what happens to us that make us who we are, but it's our choices that make us who we are," she said.

"It would have been very easy for me to not speak out, to try and regain privacy in my life," she added.

She said she is grateful to those who searched for her and prayed for her and has decided to give back.

She dedicates much of her time to the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which aims to stop the victimization of children and gives hope to survivors.

Smart has a soft-spoken and humble disposition and exudes a sense of peace. She says her faith and the support of her family have played a profound role in her recovery.

She's working to help children understand that no one has the right to hurt them, no matter who that person is.

"It's not so much that I am reliving what I experienced it's really more the gratitude that I feel and sharing that," she said. "And it's knowing that by sharing my story maybe it will prevent another child from going through what I went through."

She spoke to NBC 7 about her feelings toward her captors and how she looks back on the ordeal. You can see more of the exclusive interview Friday on NBC 7 News at 4, 5 and 6.

Smart was scheduled to speak at the San Diego Women's Week at Harrah's Rincon Resort & Casino in Valley Center.

A 10-day-old baby gorilla born via emergency C-section at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park got her first glimpse of her mother Friday after a long, busy week of newborn follow-up treatment and around-the-clock care.

In her first time being released from the veterinary hospital, the tiny gorilla was given a visual introduction to her mother, Imani, and other members of the gorilla troop. According to zookeepers, this is the first of many steps that must occur before animal care specialists can physically re-introduce the baby gorilla to the other gorillas at Safari Park.

During the mother-daughter moment, a zookeeper held the baby gorilla up to a cage while Imani looked at her baby (see photo below).

For now, keepers are staying close to the baby gorilla and providing constant care to the newborn in a special bedroom area near the gorilla habitat. Other members of the gorilla troop can see the baby through a protective barrier and start to familiarize themselves with her.

• Read: Baby Gorilla Born Via C-Section

Senior keeper Matt Gelvin said Friday’s introductions went well, and the gorillas seemed happy to see the baby.

“Everyone is very excited to see the baby, very curious,” he said.

Gelvin also said the veterinary staff is feeling confident in the baby gorilla’s health, enough so that she was released from the hospital.

Following her very rare C-section birth, the baby gorilla underwent surgery for a collapsed lung. The procedure was successful and she was kept in the hospital under 24-7 monitoring.

Then, early this week, she was diagnosed and treated for pneumonia.

On Wednesday, finally strong enough to breathe on her own, the furry baby took her first bottle, gulping down the formula fed to her by veterinary staff members at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Keepers are hopeful that the little one will continue making progress.

Meanwhile, the baby gorilla’s mother is back in her habitat, recovering from the C-section, eating and doing well.

This is Imani’s first baby and the 17th to be born at Safari Park. The facility currently houses eight gorillas. Two male gorillas in the troop, Monroe and Frank, were also born in San Diego in 2011 and 2008, respectively.

San Diego’s mayor now has more on the line that bracket bragging rights in the next San Diego State University NCAA basketball game.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer has made a friendly wager with Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker on the outcome of SDSU’s matchup against North Dakota State University.

If the Aztecs lose, SDSU alumnus Faulconer will send a six pack of Stone Brewing Company’s “Stone Go To” IPA to Walaker.

If the Bison lose, Walaker – a North Dakota State alumnus – will send over a six pack of Fargo Brewing Company’s Wood Chipper IPA.

“Unfortunately I can’t wager our beautiful weather so the next best thing is a sample from our fantastic craft beer industry,” Faulconer said in a statement. “I congratulate the Bison on their first ever win in the NCAA tourney. I’d be rooting for them on Saturday if they were playing anybody other than my Aztecs.”

Both teams took their games to overtime Thursday night. Fourth-seeded SDSU toppled 13th-seeded New Mexico State in overtime 73-69.

But 12th-seeded North Dakota State upset fifth-seeded Oklahoma, winning 80-75 in overtime.

Walaker said he hopes Saturday night’s matchup will be as enjoyable as the last two. The game starts at 3:10 p.m. in Spokane, Washington.

 A Tijuana man admitted Friday to slashing the throats of his fellow drug traffickers whom he believed had stolen profits, according to U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy.

Roberto Ochoa, 35, pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to two counts of intentional killing while working with a San Diego-based drug trafficking conspiracy.

On Oct. 19, 2012, Ochoa and others took Hector Gonzalez and Rodolfo Robles to a home in San Jacinto to interrogate them about stealing methamphetamines and cocaine proceeds, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

The DEA investigation revealed that Ochoa and another person used knives to slit Gonzalez’s and Robles’ throats, killing them.

Their bodies were discovered on Nov. 9, 2012 by Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies doing a welfare check at that address.

Ochoa was among dozens of accused drug traffickers and money launderers indicted in Nov. 2011.

Including Ochoa, eight have pleaded guilty, seven have been sentenced, two are fugitives and the other cases are pending, Duffy said.

Ochoa will face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or death at his sentencing on June 6.

A San Marcos couple is pleading for the safe return of their English Bulldog which wandered away from home and was then taken from a doggy daycare facility in North San Diego County.

Michelle and MariaElena Hinojos said their 5-month-old puppy, “Schroeder,” was last seen Wednesday at Dogtopia, a dog daycare service located at 925 W. San Marcos Blvd.

Earlier that day, the owners said Schroeder had slipped under a gate and wandered away from home.

An unknown man found the pup and brought him to Dogtopia at around 7:30 p.m.. About 30 to 45 minutes later, Schroeder was released by the facility to an unknown man claiming to be his owner.

Now, Schroeder’s real owners are left without their beloved dog and with the task of tracking down the stolen pup.

“It’s very frustrating. It’s heartbreaking to know that someone can just pick up a dog and not have any information about them. I feel bad for him. He doesn’t know who took him,” said MariaElena.

“It’s hard on us because we don’t know where he is. We don’t know if anybody is taking care of him, or if he’s okay,” she added, fighting back tears. "He was our baby."

NBC 7 reached out to Dogtopia Friday, and the company released the following statement regarding the unfortunate situation:

"At Dogtopia of San Marcos, our first and foremost priority is always the well-being and safety of dogs. We support all of our employees and know our manager acted in what she felt was the best interest of the dog, who was unknown to us and not a Dogtopia client. We continue to provide as much information as we can to assist in the police investigation. Some additional details are at play, which are not related to Dogtopia, and at this time, we want to let police do their job and cannot speculate or comment further. Thank you."

Drew Boomer, spokesperson for Dogtopia, spoke with NBC 7 and said staffers at the facility are very upset over the incident.

“On behalf of our team, we are horrified and concerned about the safety of this dog. We’re very sorry that this has happened,” said Boomer.

“The dog was not known to us, was not a client to us and yet the health and safety of all dogs is always our first priority. The dog was brought to us as a lost puppy, foun

d here on this very busy street. Our store manager did everything she felt was right in her heart to provide safety for the dog and we stand behind her,” she added.

A surveillance camera at the doggy daycare captured an image of the man who picked Schroeder up from Dogtopia. In the photo, the dark-haired man is wearing a black sweatshirt, pants and sneakers. He’s carrying Schroeder in his arms.

MariaElena said she and her wife don't recognize the man in those images.

The pup’s owners have created a Facebook page – “BRING Schroeder HOME” – to spread the word on this case. On the page, the owners said Schroeder is micro-chipped and registered with the American Kennel Club.

“The AKC has sent out flyers to vets and shelters and if he is scanned, it will have an alert attached,” one post read.

MariaElena is pleading for any information that could bring back their pet. They paid $4,000 for Schroeder and have had him since January.

“If you see him, if anybody knows where he’s at, please contact us. It’s very frustrating and emotional. We go home and it’s empty. It’s very hard.”

Michelle said all she wants is to be reunited with Schroeder and put this mess behind them.

“I want him home. I don’t care who did it, where he’s at – just bring him back over here. That’s all we’re wanting out of this. I’m not looking to place blame. We want him home,” she said. "Please help us find him."

Anyone with information on this case or details on Schroeder's whereabouts should contact the San Diego County Sheriff's Department at (858) 565-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

A pilot was killed and two teens were injured after a small single-engine plane from Chicago crashed in the median of a six-lane street in Florida early Saturday morning.

The plane was traveling to St. Pete/Clearwater Airport from Chicago when it crashed around 4 a.m. on McMullen Booth and Enterprise Road in Pinellas County, officials said. It came to rest mostly in the median of the six-lane street.

There were three people on the plane at the time of the crash, according to authorities.

Jeffrey Bronken, a 53-year-old man from north suburban Round Lake, was killed in the crash, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Two 15-year-old girls, also from Round Lake, were injured. Katherine Bronken and Keyana Linbo were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla., but their conditions were not immediately known.

The plane is registered to Glass Man Inc., a company out of Highland Park, according to NBC affiliate WFLA.

Pinellas deputies and officials with the Federal Aviation Administration were on the scene Saturday morning conducting an investigation and the road was closed between Union Street and Enterprise Road.

Officials expect the investigation will take several hours.