Dad accused of abuse gets daughter back

Dad accused of abusegets daughter back
AUSTINTOWN -- Police had to search for an Oakcrest Avenue woman early today after she took her 15-year-old daughter from Forum Health Tod Children's Hospital during a child abuse investigation. The woman and the daughter were found on Vestal Drive in Youngstown, and police returned the girl to her father.
The daughter had told police that her father had slapped her repeatedly on her face and legs around midnight Monday after she had an argument with her stepmother. There were red marks on the girl's face and thigh, and she was taken to the hospital.
The father told police he had disciplined the girl. Hospital officials could not find conclusive evidence of abuse. Officials from the Mahoning County Children's Services Board asked police to pick up the girl and turn her over to her father pending an investigation.
When told of the decision by the Children's Services Board, the mother took her daughter from the hospital.
Nonsupport case
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gregory Byrd, 32, of North Garland Avenue, was placed on probation for three years when he appeared in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Monday. He had pleaded guilty in October to nonsupport of dependents, for which he had been secretly indicted in March 2001.
Edward DeAngelo, an assistant county prosecutor, said Byrd owed some $17,000 in child support for three children, dating to 1997. Judge James C. Evans ordered Byrd to pay $1,000 within 90 days, then continue paying off the debt. DeAngelo said Byrd faces similar charges in Pennsylvania, where he has two other children.
Jail kitchen report
YOUNGSTOWN -- The kitchen floor at the Mahoning County Jail needs to be replaced and the kitchen should be more sanitized, according to a county grand jury. The September term of the grand jury recently toured the jail as part of its duties.
The recommendations for improving the kitchen were included in the panel's one-page report, signed by forewoman Joyce Laska. The report does not elaborate on specific problems with the kitchen facilities.
Retirement beginsfor ex-police chief
LIBERTY -- Former Police Chief Michael Pilolli has spent his last days with the department on paid administrative leave. His retirement after 25 years is effective today.
Chief Anthony Slifka said Monday he placed Capt. Pilolli on leave last week "in the best interest of the department."
Slifka said there wasn't one action that caused him to place Pilolli on leave, but it stemmed from a Dec. 10 article in The Vindicator that called attention to controversy when Pilolli was chief. Pilolli, 53, served as chief from 1997 to 2001, when he resigned from the position.
Meeting rescheduled
LIBERTY-- The organizational meeting of the board of education has been changed from Jan. 14 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The date of the regular January meeting has not been determined.
Identity theft
AUSTINTOWN -- Police are investigating a report that someone used the name and Social Security number of a Wilcox Road woman to sign up for five cell phone plans without her permission. The woman told police Monday that she learned that someone had signed up for the plans when she tried to buy a cell phone. She said the person responsible for the identity theft is described as a dirty-looking white woman in her mid-30s with missing teeth.
Model home robbed
AUSTINTOWN -- About $2,800 worth of home furnishings were reported stolen Monday from a model home on Fitch Boulevard. Stolen items included a dining room table, candle holders, a bedspread and towels. The home's developer told police that it appears as if someone broke in the home's door and removed the furnishings through the garage. Police are investigating.
Power outage
SHARON, Pa. -- Problems with a transmission line carrying electricity from a substation in Masury to an area along the Farrell-Sharon border left 2,300 Penn Power customers without electrical service Monday morning.
Penn Power spokesman Randy Coleman said the outage began around 9:45 a.m. but all power was restored by 11:30 a.m.