A Leesville man has been charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after his 3-year-old found a .40 caliber handgun hidden under a pillow in the man’s bedroom and accidentally shot another 3-year-old visiting their home. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to home of 35-year-old Fernando Mejia’s. Mejia is currently being held in the Vernon Parish Jail charged with failing to properly secure the firearm. He is also subject to a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sheriff Sam Craft says gun safety should be practiced at all times…
The child is reportedly hospitalized in stable condition and being released from intensive care.
A new audit shows that DCFS workers continue to be overburdened with their caseloads. Julie Floyd, a senior performance auditor at the Louisiana legislator’s office, says there has been an increase in recent years in vacancies, especially in front-line case workers.
Cut 12 (08) “…to increase salaries.”
She says DCFS and the state have implemented special pay mechanisms to encourage employees to stay. However, a staffing and salary analysis showed that it’s inconclusive as to whether those special mechanisms were leading employees to stay.
The legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. Andrew Greenstein reports that represents a small overall portion of the fund.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
A bill clarifying Louisiana’s concealed carry law that allows spectators at parades or demonstrations to carry concealed weapons, while maintaining the ban for participants of the events is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka on why he believes the legislation is necessary…