NY Pride group disbands after founder is arrested for disgusting alleged crime with minor



An LGBTQ+ advocacy group for a small town in central New York says it is canceling a scheduled Pride parade after its founder was arrested on child sex-messaging charges.

New York state police claimed 46-year-old Travis J. Longo of Cazenovia had a pattern of sending the sexually explicit communications to a child under 12 years old.

'This decision follows serious criminal charges against Travis Longo, the founder of Cazenovia Pride Fest and a longtime figure in our organization.'

Astoundingly, Longo was elected in 2024 to the Cazenovia School District Board of Education and, as of Friday afternoon, continues to be a member of the board.

Longo was charged with four misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Police have released few details about the alleged communications but are asking the public for any information that might aid their investigation.

The group Longo founded said in a post on Facebook that the parade planned for June 27 has been canceled and the group is dissolving.

"Cazenovia Pride Inc. is canceling this year's Pride Festival and all associated events, and we are dissolving as an organization," the post read.

"This decision follows serious criminal charges against Travis Longo, the founder of Cazenovia Pride Fest and a longtime figure in our organization," the post added. "Travis Longo has no further affiliation with Cazenovia Pride Inc."

Longo had apparently performed as a drag queen under the name "Anita Buffem."

An Instagram appearing to belong to Longo as the drag queen persona has dozens of posts. Buffem is also listed as a "hostess" at the first Pride festival in Cazenovia in 2021 that was organized by Pride Cazenovia.

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"We are deeply sorry for the pain and disappointment this causes our community," concluded the statement from the Pride group. "The years of support, love, and solidarity you have shown us have meant everything. Thank you."

Cazenovia is a town of about 6,700 residents in Madison County.

Neither Longo nor the board of education responded to a request for comment from Blaze News.

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Texas cops investigating odor at home believed someone died inside — they found 2 children living in horrific conditions



Texas police officers said a home "smelled like death" when they were called to investigate after being alerted about the foul odor.

Inside they found two young children sitting in a bathtub halfway filled with dirty water and the home buried with feces, garbage, and maggots, according to an affidavit.

Police said the children smelled like 'urine, feces, body odor, and stagnant water.' The children said they didn't know how to read or write and had never been to school.

Officers from the Temple Police Department said they were called to the home on Young Avenue on May 20 after a caller reported the odor and no sign of the residents.

They knocked on the doors and windows, but no one responded. Then they noted flies at the windows, which led them to believe someone had died inside.

Police made entry into the home and found 34-year-old Michael Robbins and 68-year-old John Robbins coming to the door.

They inspected the home and said every surface was filled with garbage, rodent and mouse droppings, rotting food, and maggots.

Then they found the two children.

The 8- and 10-year-old children had matted hair that was apparently infested with bugs. When they were told to get dressed, they returned in foul-smelling clothing with food stains.

Police said the children smelled like "urine, feces, body odor, and stagnant water." The children said they didn't know how to read or write and had never been to school.

One of the children had their adult teeth growing rotten in their mouth, an affidavit said.

Police determined that the men were not providing food for the children and that they were forced to fend for themselves.

The children were transported to McClane's Children's Hospital for treatment.

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Neighbors told police they had not seen the children in years.

Both men were booked into the Bell County Jail on charges of abandoning or endangering a child with intent. They each have a bond of $60,000.

Temple is a city of about 82,000 residents located 80 miles north of Austin in central Texas.

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Surrogacy 'trafficking'? Unmarried Chinese couple in the US accused of massive baby scam — 21 kids placed in foster care



A California-based, unmarried Chinese couple is under scrutiny for allegedly running a massive surrogacy fraud operation that deceived potentially dozens of American women and placed 21 young children in questionable circumstances.

Guojun Xuan, 65, and his partner, Silvia Zhang, 38, were arrested on suspicion of child abuse in May, then released on bond pending further investigation, NBC News reported. Their brief arrests were sparked by hospital staff’s reports of child abuse after their 2-month-old son sustained traumatic head injuries.

'What you did — and what you continue to do by staying silent — is foul, reckless, and cruel.'

Video evidence obtained by the Arcadia Police Department allegedly revealed that the children in Xuan and Zhang’s care “were subjected to physical and emotional abuse” by nannies, abuse that authorities suspected the couple knew “was occurring and let ... happen.” The footage allegedly showed a 56-year-old nanny violently shaking and striking the 2-month-old child.

Authorities found 15 children in Xuan and Zhang’s nine-bedroom home and another six children staying with the couple’s friends. The 21 children, who ranged from 2 months to 13 years old, were placed and remain in foster care.

It is unclear how many children were born through surrogacy. The couple is believed to have one child together naturally, and Xuan is believed to be the biological father of a 13-year-old daughter.

Surrogate mothers claimed they were told the couple had either no children or only one child and were seeking surrogates after failed in vitro fertilization attempts. They also alleged that they were not made aware that Xuan and Zhang controlled the surrogacy agency representing them.

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Guojun Xuan and Silvia Zhang's home. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Surrogates told the Wall Street Journal in August that they had been in contact with federal agents, who informed them they were investigating whether the couple was selling children.

“We never sell our babies,” Zhang told the WSJ. “We take care of them very well.”

Several surrogate mothers are fighting for custody of the children they carried for the couple. Xuan and Zhang have filed lawsuits against at least two surrogates who ended contact with them before giving birth last fall, claiming a breach of contract.

Kayla Elliott, a surrogate mother, told NBC News in July that she was led to believe she was helping a couple struggling to conceive and was unaware that they had many other children. Elliott is fighting to obtain custody of the child, telling NewsNation that she suspects “there’s some type of trafficking going on.”

Tronderrica James, 30, another surrogate, filed a lawsuit against the couple, arguing that they gave misleading and false information about their intentions.

James stated that she was contacted by an individual named Jasmine in 2023, who described the couple as “longing for their miracle baby,” according to court documents. Jasmine allegedly claimed the couple could not speak with James directly because of “a language barrier.”

In an email to Xuan and Zhang, James wrote, “You gambled with my life. You gambled with the life of a child. You misled me, misrepresented your role, and may have broken multiple state and federal laws in the process — and you still haven’t had the decency to provide a single truthful explanation.”

“What you did — and what you continue to do by staying silent — is foul, reckless, and cruel,” James stated.

Xuan and Zhang reportedly remain under investigation. No criminal charges have been filed.

In the past six months, the couple has had another five babies born to surrogate mothers, the New York Post reported.

RELATED: '50 high-quality sons': Chinese men are siring US citizen 'mega-families' via surrogacy: Report

Photo by CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP via Getty Images

Xuan and Zhang have denied any wrongdoing, claiming that they just wanted to have a large family.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office told Blaze News that the matter remains under review by the Arcadia Police Department.

The FBI declined comment.

Xuan, Zhang, James, and the Arcadia Police Department did not respond to a request for comment.

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Viral video: Toddler falls from mom's moving SUV, lands in Southern California city intersection, cops say. Mom out on bail.



A Southern California mother has been released from custody after her child endangerment arrest in connection with a viral video that police said shows her toddler falling from her moving SUV in a Fullerton intersection, KNBC-TV reported. Fullerton is just minutes north of Anaheim.

The video shows a black SUV making an eastbound turn onto West Malvern Avenue from southbound North Euclid Street, police said, adding that as the SUV enters the intersection and completes the turn, the front passenger door opens, and a small child falls to the ground and into the roadway.

'I felt a mixture of emotions anywhere from anger to worry to shock.'

The SUV immediately stops, nearly causing a traffic collision with the vehicle behind it, police said.

An adult female is then seen running from the driver’s side of the SUV, picking up the child, and returning to the vehicle before the video ends, police said.

The incident occurred Jan. 20, but police said no one reported it until witness Natalie Quintanilla — a mother of four children — reached out to law enforcement over the weekend, KNBC said.

"I felt a mixture of emotions anywhere from anger to worry to shock because it’s something that could have easily been avoidable," Quintanilla added to the station Tuesday.

Police said a witness came forward Saturday, reported observing the incident, and provided identifying information related to the vehicle involved. Police said officers conducted a follow-up investigation, which led them to a residence in the city of La Habra. Police said officers located the vehicle, the child, and the female involved in the incident seen in the video.

RELATED: Toddler dies after being found submerged in container of water on front porch; mother accused of negligence: Cops

The 19-month-old child suffered injuries consistent with the fall and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, police said, adding that the child is expected to make a full recovery.

The female — identified as Jacqueline Hernandez, the 35-year-old mother of the child — was placed under arrest and booked at the Fullerton City Jail for felony child abuse, police said.

Hernandez was soon transferred to the Orange County Jail; an Orange County Sheriff's Office official told Blaze News they aren't releasing Hernandez's mugshot "at this time."

Orange County Jail data Blaze News accessed indicated Hernandez was set for release Tuesday.

Indeed KNBC said Hernandez posted $100,000 bail at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The station, citing police, added that Hernandez's 19-month-old boy was treated and released from the hospital, but it wasn't immediately clear if the toddler is back in the care of Hernandez.

A neighbor of Hernandez, who declined to be identified for privacy, defended the mother, telling KNBC that "sometimes we do make mistakes."

"I can almost guarantee you there’s no way that will happen again with her. No way," the neighbor noted to the station.

KNBC said the Orange County district attorney's office hadn't yet officially charged Hernandez but is reviewing the case.

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Police Release Footage Of New Jersey Mayor’s Arrest For Alleged DUI After Locals Call For Her To Resign
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Police Release Footage Of New Jersey Mayor’s Arrest For Alleged DUI After Locals Call For Her To Resign

She appeared to stumble and lose her balance almost immediately

Democrat mayor slapped with DUI, child endangerment charges after allegedly crazy St. Patrick's Day ride home with toddler



The Democratic mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey, was arrested Monday evening and slapped with numerous charges, including second-degree child endangerment, after allegedly picking up her toddler from daycare then recklessly driving home in an intoxicated state.

Gina LaPlaca, who was sworn in for another term as mayor in January and serves also as the chairwoman of the Lumberton Democrats, indicated she has no intention of stepping down from her role as mayor.

The Asbury Park Press reported that LaPlaca, 45, has been charged with child endangerment; cruelty and neglect; operating a motor vehicle under the influence; reckless driving; careless driving likely to endanger; crossing over marked lanes in traffic; driving with an expired license; and for having an open container of alcohol in her vehicle.

LaPlaca was allegedly caught on video driving her 2019 BMW haphazardly, swerving in and out of her lane, and then at one point nearly crashing into a utility pole, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer. When police later found the vehicle with the toddler strapped in the backseat, LaPlaca allegedly confessed both to drinking and recently picking up her 2-year-old son from daycare.

'I will not be resigning my position.'

Cops reportedly conducted field sobriety tests and found an open alcoholic beverage in the BMW.

The Democratic mayor, who was escorted out of a March 5 Mount Holly Fire Commissioners meeting following a vicious exchange with audience members and was arrested in 2023 for allegedly assaulting her activist husband, is scheduled to appear in court on April 28.

LaPlaca reportedly stated Tuesday on social media, "The unfortunate fact is that I have a disease, one which millions of people share and that I would not wish on my worst enemy. My husband is taking me today to get the help I need and which I have been reluctant to get because I am not one to admit 'weakness' or ask for help."

The Democratic mayor added, "And no I will not be resigning my position. I will come back from recovery stronger and more focused on what is best for my family and our community."

In 2023, LaPlaca was arrested for assaulting her activist husband, Jason Carty, who was also arrested. Carty assumed responsibility, thereby neutralizing the charges against his wife, reported the New Jersey Globe, which has dubbed the Democratic mayor the "Queen of Toxicity."

"Millions of Americans struggle with addiction and never get help. Gina is someone who has struggled, and is now getting the help she needs," LaPlaca's husband, Jason Carty, said in a statement. "I ask that everyone keep her in their thoughts as she moves forward on her road to recovery. Please ignore the exaggerated political hyperbole and keep in mind her passion for helping others. This should not erase all the things she has accomplished for our community."

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REPORT: Police Charge New Jersey Mayor Gina LaPlaca With DUI In Alleged Incident Involving Young Son

'Gina is someone who has struggled and is now getting that help that she needs'

Ohio mom leaves her young special-needs children home alone to go on Miami vacation — with friend getting liposuction



An Ohio mother was convicted of abandoning her three young children — two of whom have special needs — to go on a Florida vacation to be with her friend who was getting liposuction surgery.

On Feb. 22, a Westlake City Schools special education teacher notified police that one of her students — a 7-year-old girl — informed her that she had been left home alone with her twin sister and her 10-year-old sister. The special education teacher requested a welfare check from police, according to newly released audio.

'Do you remember why she was in Miami? Her friend needed liposuction surgery.'

On the same day, police conducted a welfare check on the apartment in Westlake – roughly 15 miles west of Cleveland.

Officers said the children were alone and the apartment was in complete "disarray."

Citing police, WKYC reported that the apartment was "in shambles" and "there was clothing, food, trash, and an unknown liquid covering the floor." The officer noted there was "furniture stacked up in a corner, storage boxes stacked in another corner, and the apartment itself smelled of old food and body odor."

“Garbage, bins, and bags were strewn all over the floor,” court records state, according to the Independent.

According to court documents, the children told police they did not have a cellphone to contact their mother but had been communicating with her through Nest cameras located around the unit and FaceTime on a MacBook tablet.

Investigators determined that the mother — Dominique Knowles — had abandoned her children to go on vacation in Miami.

The children's grandmother purportedly told police Knowles had not left the state, and Knowles allegedly told a detective she was not out of state.

Westlake Law Director Michael Maloney determined that Knowles had traveled to Miami a day before police conducted the welfare check.

Investigators used subpoenaed cellphone records to determine that Knowles made or received 50 calls in the greater Miami area from Feb. 21 to Feb. 23, according to court documents.

During a hearing Wednesday, a prosecutor informed the judge: “Do you remember why she was in Miami? Her friend needed liposuction surgery.”

When arrested, Knowles allegedly told police, “My kids are allowed to be here by themselves.”

The arresting officer allegedly responded, “Not when you have two special-needs kids.”

Knowles told the courtroom Wednesday, "I understand what I did was wrong, and this absolutely would never happen again. I did believe my kids were able to dress themselves and get themselves to school. I wouldn’t dare let anything happen to my kids. I wish I could go back and change the circumstances."

Despite her plea, Knowles was found guilty of two counts of child endangerment — a first-degree misdemeanor that can be punishable by six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 per count.

However, Knowles was sentenced to five years of probation and 360 days of house arrest, ordered to attend a parenting class and mental health counseling, and given $800 in fines. Knowles will be allowed to leave house arrest to go to work.

Judge Joseph Burke of the Rocky River Municipal Court declared, "Something bad could’ve happened to the children, they could have started a fire in the apartment, they could have hurt themselves or suffered a medical emergency, or they could have been taken by a stranger. But most of all, they needed their mother to be there and parent them and not ... by remote cameras from Florida."

Burke noted, "I don’t want to further victimize your daughters by separating you from them. It is now time for you to become the mother that your daughters deserve, need, and require."

Blaze News reported in February that an Ohio mother left her 16-month-old daughter alone in a filthy playpen at home for 10 days while she went on vacation in Puerto Rico.

Kristel Candelario, 32, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment.

In March, Candelario was sentenced to life without parole in what the judge described as the "ultimate act of betrayal."

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Parents hog-tie boy for over 9 hours, tell police they do so 'normally' to keep him from getting 'into things': Report



A mother and stepfather have been arrested for child endangerment after officers reportedly found a 12-year-old boy hog-tied on their hotel room floor.

On July 22, members of the Northwood Police Department responded to a call from someone concerned that a boy had been tied up in a Baymont hotel room in Northwood, Ohio, just across the Maumee River from downtown Toledo.

When police arrived around 12:30 p.m. local time, they found a 12-year-old boy with his wrists and ankles tied behind his back with shoe laces. He had reportedly been lying on the floor since 3 a.m.

The boy was not alone in the room. Two other children, ages 14 and 6, were also in the room, unrestrained. The boy's stepfather, Jason Sosnowicz Sr., 42, was also there. Police believe that the family had been living in the hotel room. A Baymont employee told police that Sosnowicz worked at the hotel as well.

Not long after police discovered the boy, they said his mother, Tabetha Sosnowicz, 38, arrived and confirmed that she knew the boy had been restrained. Her husband had reportedly told police that the two of them "normally" tie the boy up because he "gets into things." The couple also admitted that they often restrain the boy at night to keep him away from candy, according to reports.

Police said that the boy was injured, though they did not elaborate about the severity of his injuries or the type of medical treatment he had received. His current condition and location are unknown.

Tabetha and Jason Sosnowicz have both been charged with child endangerment, a third-degree felony, and administering corporal punishment, according to Newsweek. Tabetha is being held on a $25,000 bond, and Jason is being held on a $75,000 bond.

It is not known who made the original tip to police or into whose custody the three children have been placed.