A Canadian woman who went missing last week in a blizzard has been found alive, lost in almost a foot of snow for four days

Donna Molnar, 55, set off from home in Ancaster, Ontario, on Friday but her car got stuck in a field of snow drifts.
The vehicle was found a day later, abandoned by the side of a road.
By this time, fears for her survival were mounting and it was not until Monday, when police officer Ray Lau was trudging through almost knee-high snow, that his dog Ace picked up the woman's scent.
Officer Lau was stunned to find Mrs Molnar still breathing.
He said: "When I came up to her she was covered in snow, just her face and her neckline was exposed. I was surprised she was alive."
Mrs Molnar was wearing a simple winter jacket and she had been buried in snow just a few hundred yards from where her car had been found.
Police believe the snow's insulating effect was what kept her alive.
Now in hospital, doctors say Mrs Molnar may lose some extremities after her ordeal in the freezing conditions - but she will live. more

'Sopranos' Actor Cleared Of Murder

NEW YORK — A slain police officer's sister reacted with disgust after a jury cleared a former actor on "The Sopranos" of her brother's killing during a botched burglary three years ago.

Lillo Brancato Jr. on Monday was convicted of a lesser charge of attempted burglary. He faces from three to 15 years in prison; the former actor could get credit for time served because he has been behind bars nearly three years.

"What message is this sending out to the New York City police officers today? It's wrong," said Yolanda Rosa Nazario, sister of the victim.

Prosecutors said Brancato, 32, and accomplice Steven Armento broke into a basement apartment to steal prescription drugs after a night of drinking at a strip club in December 2005. Officer Daniel Enchautegui (En-chow-TAY'-gee), who lived next door and was off duty, came out to investigate.

Armento blasted the 28-year-old officer with his .357 Magnum, hitting him in the heart. The dying officer fired back, wounding both men. Armento was convicted earlier this year of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Brancato, who acknowledges problems with drugs and alcohol, said he was unaware Armento, 48, was carrying a weapon. He also argued he did not directly take part in the killing and was not armed. more

8-Year-Old allowed to go home for holidays, while awaiting first-degree murder charges

For one 8-year-old boy in Arizona, heading home for the holidays is a respite unlike most others.

Because after he spends time with his mother, he'll return to juvenile detention where he will await potential first-degree murder charges.

The boy, whose name has not been released because of his age, has been charged with a double homicide for allegedly shooting his father and another man with a single-shot .22 rifle four times each Nov. 5.

He reportedly confessed during an hourlong interrogation video released by the Arizona's Prosecutor's Office.

In the video, the boy admits to the shooting about 40 minutes in, but said it was because his father was already "suffering."

By that point, however, the boy had changed his story several times about the events that had led to the death of the two men.

"I went upstairs and then I saw my dad and then I got the gun and then I fired it at my dad," the boy said calmly. "He was on the ground and then I reloaded it."

When police asked him whether he shot his father because he was mad at him, he offered a noncommittal "hmm," but said he is in trouble "most of the time" at home, mostly for lying.

Police interrogated him without legal counsel present, causing some juvenile defenders to suspect police coercion, which the police deny. more

Brutally Tortured Teen Tied to Tree Dies From Dehydration

MACCLESFIELD, N.C. — A 13-year-old left tied to a tree as punishment for 18 hours in June had been badly beaten and likely died from dehydration and heat stroke, an autopsy report showed.

The report, made public Monday, also says Tyler McMillan's body was covered with insect bites and he had bruises caused by a rod-like instrument and flesh missing from his buttocks. Marks on his wrists and ankles show he may have been restrained with plastic ties.

Authorities say Tyler McMillan's parents found him unresponsive on June 12 after he had been tied to a tree overnight as punishment. His father, Brice McMillan, and stepmother, Sandra McMillan, have been charged with murder and felony child abuse.

Autopsy results were released after Raleigh television station WRAL challenged a judge's order to seal the results based on a defense motion. Attorneys for WRAL wrote Superior Court Judge Franklin R. Brown in late October to challenge his ruling. The station received a copy of the autopsy on Monday, along with an order from Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Milton Fitch Jr. The station provided a copy to The Associated Press.

The report says Tyler McMillan's body temperature was 105.6 degrees when he arrived at the hospital. Brice McMillan told a deputy the teen was tied to a tree and forced to sleep outside on June 10 because he was being disobedient. Tyler McMillan was released the next morning, but again tied up that night for bad behavior. more

Man loses arm in watercraft accident off

POMPANO BEACH - A 22-year-old man's arm was severed in a personal watercraft accident Saturday near the Hillsboro Inlet.The man had been riding on an inner tube that was tied to the personal watercraft with a rope, which he had wrapped around his arm. A large wave apparently struck the watercraft and inner tube with such force that the rope tightened around the man's arm and cut right through, authorities said. more

Criminals received invitation to take part in "scratch off" for cash

CHICAGO — There's more than one way to catch a fugitive. Turns out a promise of extra holiday cash makes an effective trap this time of year.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said Sunday that a fugitive sweep led to the arrest of 230 suspects on warrants for forgery, aggravated battery and other crimes.
More than 60 of those suspects fell for a ruse with a holiday theme. They got invitations to take part in a survey to help retailers figure out the needs of holiday shoppers.
Included was a "scratch off" card redeemable for at least $500 if they brought it along to the hotel where the survey would be conducted. Those who showed up were taken into custody.
One of the fugitives arrived with marijuana in his pocket. Possession of cannabis was added to his charges.

Neighbor makes fake 911 calls because she wanted to know what neighbors were doing

Just after 8:30 this morning, Temple Terrace police say they received a call that the resident of a home on 5400 E. Busch Blvd. was injured and that a man was in the yard firing a revolver.

When police arrived at the scene, they saw a familiar figure walking from a payphone at a nearby Kmart where the calls were made, according to a report.

According to the report, police questioned Lorrie Ann Fernandez, 39, who denied making any calls. Then the officers recognized Fernandez.

Last month, she called 911 to report that someone was possibly injured and that she heard gunshots. At the time, she told police that she called 911 "because she wanted to know what her neighbors were doing." more