By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – A Texas man has been sentenced to 99 years in prison for starving three children locked in a Dallas hotel bathroom for up to nine months.
A Dallas County jury sentenced 38-year-old Alfred Santiago on Tuesday, hours after finding him guilty of injury to a child and continuous sexual abuse.
Santiago denies sexually assaulting the oldest child, who was 11 when she and her two half brothers were rescued in July 2009. He says he fed them daily but they refused to eat.
Jurors decided on the sentence after hearing from the children's therapist, who testified the middle child is suicidal.
A doctor testified that one child suffered brain atrophy from starvation and preferred urinating in his hospital bed because he was scared of entering the bathroom.
Fort Worth Budget Gap Narrows
The Fort Worth budget shortfall is about four million dollars "smaller". Property values, certified on Friday, did not drop as much as anticipated.
At today's council meeting, budget-writers said the city will have 3.7 million dollars "more" in property tax revenue than projected.
Council member Sal Espino wants to use some of that to keep branch libraries open.
Espino: Rather than close branch libraries, see if we can keep them open and look for, if there were service reductions, do them system wide rather than have branch library closure.
The Library Comprehensive Plan calls for closing the North Side and Meadowbrook branch libraries.
The City Manager will present the council with a budget that closes a difficult 73 million dollar gap on August 10th.
Garland ATM Heist Interrupted
Three men are in jail after a failed attempt to steal at ATM.
Garland Police say an off-duty officer saw a suspicious truck parked next to an ATM on Forest Lane early this morning. The officer observed two men get out and wrap a chain around the ATM. He called for uniformed officers.
The quick arrival of the marked police cars interrupted the ATM heist. Police say the suspects jumped into the truck and sped away, leaving the ATM. After a chase into Dallas, the three bailed out of the "stolen" truck and ran. They were arrested a short time later.
All three face felony charges of "engaging in organized criminal activity."
Dallas Marshal Targets Those With Unpaid Tickets
The Dallas City Marshal's office begins its "Summer Warrant Roundup" Sunday.
City officials say individuals with outstanding arrest warrants for unpaid traffic tickets, and non-traffic citations will be arrested. Those who don't pay-up are also subject to a "hold" placed on their annual vehicle registration. Tickets must be paid before a new registration sticker is issued.
The City Marshal says payment can be made seven days a week, 6am to 10pm, at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, or at the municipal building at Commerce and Harwood during regular business hours.