Black and Lost The Case of Tyarra Williams
19-year-old college freshman, Tyarra Williams, on January 7, 2016, went to her college at 8:00 am to finalize her enrollment. Sources say later that day around 6:00 pm, Tyarra, was with family and her boyfriend (Aaron) at her mother’s (Danielle’s) house. Tyarra, her brother, and her boyfriend (Aaron) left her mother’s (Danielle’s) house at 8:00 pm heading to Tyarra’s grandmother’s house (where Tyarra was living at the time) for dinner. After dinner, Tyarra, her brother, and Aaron left her grandmother’s house, walking, heading to Aaron’s house to hang out. Tyarra, however, told the guys that she was going to visit a friend who lived in the same apartment complex. At 9:30 pm when Tyarra failed to return to Aaron’s house., he called her only to have the phone go straight to voicemail. According to Tyarra’s phone’s GPS, Tyarra arrived at her friend’s location, however, the phone was turned off immediately after she arrived.
Read full storySpotlight on Mental Health
Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (C-PTSD or Complex PTSD) is caused by prolonged or chronic exposure to traumatic events. Those diagnosed with C-PTSD have at least some symptoms similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) but usually have other symptoms. It is truly unknown how many people suffer from C-PTSD.
Read full storyThe Tragic Life and Death of Takoda Collins
Takoda Collins, a 10-year-old boy, spent most of his short life locked, naked in the attic of his father’s, Al-Muhatah McLean, home attic. Takoda Collins died on December 13, 2019, at the Dayton Children’s Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. His father, Al-Muhatah McLean was later arrested and accused of abusing and raping Takoda, along with Amanda Hinz, McLean’s then-girlfriend, and Jennifer Ebert, Amanda Hinz’s sister, who also resided in the home.
Read full storyUpdate: The Disappearance of Akia Shawnta Eggleston
On February 3, 2022, police announced that Michael Robertson, the father of Akia Eggleston’s unborn child, was arrested and charged with 2 counts of 1st-degree murder for the deaths of Akia and her unborn child.
Read full storyThe Disapperance of Akia Eggleston
Akia Shawnta Eggleston was reported missing by family members on May 7, 2017. Akia failed to appear at her baby shower and for hours her friends and family were unsuccessful in reaching her. It is reported that the last time anyone saw Akia alive was on the afternoon of May 3, 2017. Akia, a regular social media user, has not had any social media activity since May 3, 2017. Akia lived in Cherry Hill, Baltimore. She was 22 years old and 8 months pregnant with her second child. Akia’s pregnancy was considered high-risk, she was unable to walk long distances and her physician ordered her to bed rest.
Read full storyThe Disappearance of LaShaya Stine
LaShaya Stine, a 16 year old, African American female, went missing from Aurora, Colorado in 2016. On the evening of July 15, 2016, it is reported that LaShaya was preparing to go to a job interview on the morning of July 16, 2016.
Read full storySpotlight on Mental Health
Mental Health MattersPhoto byMarcelStrauß/unsplashonUnsplash. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder characterized by obsessive or repeating thoughts and rituals or compulsive behaviors. People who have OCD may have fears and worries centered around different things, which in the OCD world these different things are called themes. For example, an individual can have a fear or worry about germs or getting dirty and this theme is known, in the OCD world, as Contamination.
Read full storyWhere is Relisha Rudd? Part 1
swinging chair outdoor photoPhoto byAaronBurden/UnsplashonUnsplash. Relisha Rudd was an 8-year-old African American female living at a homeless shelter (the D.C. General Shelter) in Northeast D.C. she was last seen on March 1, 2014, with a janitor (Khalil Tatum) who worked at the shelter. Shamika Young, Relisha’s mother, per D.C. police knew that Relisha was with Tatum, but did not report her missing. Between March 1, 2014, through March 18, 2014, no Amber Alert was issued and no national alert went out for Relisha. According to the D.C. police, Shamika Young allowed Relisha to spend time with Tatum and accept gifts from him.
Read full storyThe Beginning of the Sherrice Iverson Act
Mid adult woman leading a demonstration using a megaphonePhoto byFGTrade/istockphoto. Sherrice Iverson, a 7-year-old African American girl, was found murdered on Sunday, May 25, 1997, in the bathroom at the Primadonna Hotel-Casino on the outskirts of Nevada. The evidence showed that Sherrice died around 3:30ish from asphyxiation due to strangulation and evidence showed that she was forcibly raped.
Read full storyThe Case of Hayden Jennings Berkebile
On September 29, 2019, Hayden Jennings Berkebile age 29 from Indiana, was communicating with Grace Anne Sparks age 19 from Tennessee, via video chat. Berkebile is stated to have coerced Sparks into loading one bullet into a .357 revolver, then putting the gun up to her head, and then pulling the trigger which ultimately caused Sparks her life.
Read full storyThe Case of Linda Ann Weston Part 1
Mugshot of Linda Ann Weston and the furnace where one of the victims was foundPhoto bybuggedspace.com. Linda Ann Weston, the ringleader in kidnapping and torturing mentally disabled individuals for her own personal gain, was charged, along with her associates, with 196 criminal charges by a federal grand jury in 2013. The victims were found by the police in the basement of a home in Philadelphia, now known as the Basement of Horror. According to police reports, when they entered the basement they found a mentally ill man chained to a furnace, and three other adults hiding under filthy blankets and rags. They also discovered eight children in Weston’s upstairs apartment. According to police reports, all of the victims were held against their will in order to make money for Weston and her associates. All of the victims showed signs of abuse and neglect at the hand of Weston and her associates.
Read full storySpotlight on Mental Health
Complex Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (a.k.a Complex PTSD or C-PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that involves many of the same symptoms as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (a.k.a PTSD). However, unlike PTSD where the traumatic events are attributed to one instance of trauma, C-PTSD is attributed to multiple instances of trauma mostly happening during a person’s childhood. Also, when looking at the development of C-PTSD within minority populations, racism, poverty, the justice system, and oppression can add an additional layer of trauma to an individual that has experienced ongoing trauma during their early childhood years. The types of long-term traumatic events that can cause C-PTSD include:
Read full storyThe Case of Ezra McCandless
Woman accused of fatally stabbing ex-boyfriend testifiesPhoto bywww.nbc15.com. On March 22, 2018, Ezra McCandless stabbed Alexander Woodworth of Eau Claire, Wisconsin 16 times. McCandless stabbed Woodworth to death, then she carved the word “boy” into her forearm and slashed her clothing making it appear as if Woodworth attacked her. Don Sipple, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, was sitting down to dinner when McCandless showed up at his door on the night of March 22, 2018, bruised and battered. Sipple called the local police after helping McCandless, who was cold, muddy, and had no shoes on, into his home. McCandless claimed she was a victim of an assault perpetrated by her boyfriend Alexander Woodworth.
Read full storySpotlight on Mental Health
The winter has arrived in Cleveland, Ohio and some people are affected by extreme depression. This type of depression, known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), manifests itself when the seasons change. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) usually begins and ends at the same time each year (beginning in the fall and ending in the spring) and the basic treatment for it is light therapy. Light therapy consists of sitting in front of a special lamp (known as a lightbox) for around 30 minutes to an hour each morning. Light therapy works by giving you what you are missing and that is the light exposure from the sun.
Read full storyThe Case of Kimberly Lee Kessler
Kimberly Lee Kessler was reported missing in 2012 by her mother, however, the missing person report stated that Kimberly was last seen on July 4, 2004, in Butler, Pennsylvania. Her mother waited 8 years before reporting Kimberly missing.
Read full storyCarjacking/Robbery on the Westside Cleveland
The man dressed in black with a balaclava on his head trying to break into the car. He uses a screwdriver. Car thief, car theft conceptdjedzura/istockphoto. On November 8, 2022, at 9:42 am on the 11702 block of Lorain Avenue, in Cleveland, Ohio there was a 911 report of two ski-masked men carjacking a woman at gunpoint, however, according to a witness who was at the scene, it was three masked men that robbed a woman at gunpoint. Officers at the scene confirmed a car was stolen with the keys inside. The stolen vehicle was reportedly last seen going northbound on West Boulevard in Cleveland, Ohio. Police advise that the vehicle taken in the armed carjacking/robbery has a license plate of HPH1899. The officers advise they may be looking for four suspects, according to video footage they were reviewing from the scene on November 8, 2022, at 10:09 am. Police added that the vehicle taken in the armed carjacking/robbery is a black 2022 Ford F150 and the suspects followed the victim in a dark gray Kia Sportage with the back window covered in white, unfortunately at this time, the license plate number for the dark gray Kia Sportage is unknown. The police later confirmed on November 8, 2022, at 11:02 am, that they are looking for two men. One of the men was last seen wearing a dark hoodie with tan colored pants, while the other man was wearing a gray hoodie with a mask, a detailed description of the suspects is not available as of yet. If you have any information about this crime please call the Cleveland 1st District Police Department at 216-623-5100 or 216-623-1234.
Read full storyNovember Happenings in Cleveland, OH
Thanksgiving Fall Still Life with Assorted Miniature Pumpkin and Green Crate with MessageCatLane/istockphoto. November is the month when everyone is in a grateful mood. Here in Cleveland, Love Divine Missionary Baptist Church is showing how grateful they are by having not one but three FREE giveaways for people who are struggling due to the recession. The first giveaway is a clothing giveaway, individuals can call the church and schedule a time to come and get clothing for themselves and their families to help them stay warm this winter. The next giveaway is a coat and blanket giveaway, again individuals can call the church and set up a time to get themselves or their family members a coat and blanket. Lastly, in honor of Thanksgiving, the church will be giving away family food baskets that will include a full-course Thanksgiving meal, all an individual has to do is call the church, give your name, address, and how many people are in your family, and the week before Thanksgiving the associate pastor and his wife will deliver the basket to you and your family. Each of these giveaways is free and everyone is welcome as long as supplies last.
Read full storyThe Truth About Self-Care
Self-care is a term that has been tossed around haphazardly alot lately and still, people don’t understand the concept of self-care and the benefits that having a self-care routine (preferably daily) will do for your quality of life. Many people, when you mention self-care, automatically think of a million-dollar spa, going on an expensive vacation, or buying the most expensive products in the store (bubble baths, shampoos, etc) as how you experience self-care. Self-care is much simpler and cheaper than these beliefs, however, before sharing some self-care ideas (that are cheap and easy to do at your home), let’s talk about the benefits of putting together a self-care routine.
Read full storyWhat is Peer Support anyway?
According to www.mhanational.org, in behavioral health, a peer is usually used to refer to someone who shares the experience of living with a psychiatric disorder and/or addiction. Peer support is the process of giving and receiving encouragement and assistance to achieve long-term recovery. In behavioral health, peers offer their unique lived experiences with mental health conditions to provide support focused on advocacy, education, mentoring, and motivation. Peer providers can play many roles in support for people living with psychiatric disorders and/or in addiction recovery. They are capable of facilitating education and support groups and working as a bridge linking people to services as they transition from hospitals or jails into the community. Peers work one-on-one as role models, mentors, coaches, and advocates and support people in developing psychiatric advance directions and creating Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP). Peers go by many names and can work in many different settings. Many peers have additional training and certification that demonstrates their skills and knowledge. With their lived experience and ability to engage and connect with consumers, peer supporters are a dynamic and growing group that continues to transform lives and systems.
Read full storySpotlight on Mental Health
Today’s Mental Health Spotlight is on an organization, My Sisters’ Keeper of Northeast Ohio, that is based in Cleveland, Ohio. This organization is a peer run organization, which means that services or activities that are planned, developed, administered, delivered, and evaluated mainly by people with direct lived experience of a mental health and/or substance use disorder.
Read full story