WORLD DIGEST || Couple returns adopted son, 9

Couple returns adopted son, 9

CINCINNATI

An Ohio couple who authorities say returned their 9-year-old adopted son to the county after raising him since infancy have been charged with abandoning the child.

Cleveland and Lisa Cox of Liberty Township, north of Cincinnati, were each indicted Wednesday on a misdemeanor count of nonsupport of dependents. The charge accuses them of recklessly abandoning or failing to provide adequate support for the boy they turned over to Butler County Children Services last month.

County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said Thursday that he doesn’t usually seek indictments in misdemeanor cases but views this as “reckless” abandonment.

“When you are the parent and you recklessly abandon a child or children, there are criminal consequences,” Gmoser said. “These children don’t have a return-to-sender stamp emblazoned on their forehead.”

Mayor denies new allegations

TORONTO

Toronto’s mayor denied Thursday that he pressured a female employee for oral sex, in an obscenity-laced statement on live television in which he also threatened to take legal action against former staffers who spoke to police about his drinking and drug use.

Rob Ford, who admitted last week smoking crack, later announced he was getting professional help. But he once again refused to step down and used a typical mix of contrition and defiance in several public appearances Thursday.

Councilor Karen Stintz said the city has suspended all school trips to city hall indefinitely because staff deemed it unsafe.

Ford drew gasps from reporters Thursday morning when he used an obscenity as he denied telling a staffer he wanted to have oral sex.

Fire damages chemical company

DETROIT

A Detroit company that makes adhesives, paint, primers and sealants was heavily damaged Thursday by a blaze that forced authorities to evacuate surrounding homes and a nearby elementary school.

The fire started early Thursday afternoon at Chemical Technology Inc.’s offices and warehouse on the city’s east side and sent up huge plumes of thick smoke that were seen miles away.

Police defend gunfire in hospital

WAUWATOSA, Wis

Milwaukee’s police chief defended the actions of two officers who took a felon into custody Thursday in the neonatal wing of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, an arrest that resulted in the man being shot after he allegedly fled down a hallway brandishing a semi-automatic pistol.

Police shot the 22-year-old man twice in the arm, causing him to drop his weapon. No one else was in the hallway at the time, and no officers, hospital employees or patients were hurt.

Police Chief Edward Flynn said officers received a tip about 11 a.m. from a woman reporting that a man who had an arrest warrant out for being a felon in possession of a weapon was at the hospital in the Milwaukee suburb of Wauwatosa. The caller said the man was probably armed.

Cops: Porn bust saves 386 kids

TORONTO

A sweeping child pornography investigation has led to the rescue of 386 children around the world and the arrest of 348 people, Canadian police said Thursday.

Toronto police describe the Project Spade operation as one of the largest child- porn busts they’ve ever seen.

Police said 108 people were arrested in Canada and 76 in the U.S. Others were arrested in other countries.

Associated Press