Amber Alert canceled: Delaware girl found safe, dad arrested

New Castle County police have canceled an Amber Alert for 3-year-old Elinor Trotta, saying she has been found safe in Massachusetts.

New Castle County police say, with the assistance of the FBI and authorities Massachusetts, both Elinor and her father, Michael, have been located and are safe. After an intense and aggressive investigation, detectives were able to locate Elinor and are working to reunite her with her mother, police say. The girl was missing since Monday night.

Earlier in the day, Elinor’s tearful mother pleaded for her daughter’s return.

“Please bring her home,” Dawn Barkus said, choking with emotion as she spoke at a news conference at New Castle County police headquarters.

“She doesn’t have any clothes or her toys with her,” Barkus said. “… My heart is broken.”

Her ex-boyfriend, Michael Trotta, 43, assaulted Barkus and took the girl from the home she shares with her mother at Schoolside Apartments near New Castle, said Col. Elmer M. Setting, chief of police.

Trotta, who fled the East Basin Road apartment complex in a gray Mazda, was wanted on charges of reckless endangering and carjacking stemming from the incident Monday night, Setting said. He has additional charges from a Feb. 15 assault on Barkus, he said.

A News Journal check of court records showed Trotta has a lengthy criminal record.

Trotta has a New Castle address, Setting said, but he declined to say exactly where or whether he and Barkus had lived together. Setting also declined to release details of the alleged assaults or the girl’s abduction.

“We are deeply concerned for her safety and are doing everything humanly possible to bring this girl home,” Setting said.

Elinor Trotta (Photo: Family photo)

Her father “is considered armed and dangerous,” he said, adding anyone with information on his whereabouts should call 911 immediately.

Earlier on Tuesday, the search was expanded – with assistance from the FBI, Delaware Office of the Attorney General and U.S. Attorney’s Office – to multiple states where Trotta has connections, Setting said.

Acknowledging there are many questions about the case he cannot answer publicly, Setting said, “information being left out is pertinent to this investigation.”

No details were released, either, about the FBI’s role in the case.

But Supervisory Special Agent John Webb said, “The FBI’s fully engaged in this mission with New Castle County PD.”

The investigation began at 6:48 p.m. Monday when Barkus called 911 to say Trotta assaulted her and abducted their daughter, Setting said.

Police believe Trotta may be headed to New York City and said he last was seen Monday night at a New Jersey Turnpike rest stop in the area of Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Setting declined to release details of his being seen at the rest stop, citing the ongoing investigation.

Michael Trotta (Photo: Provided)

Police have recovered a Mazda in which Trotta fled from Barkus’s apartment complex in the 800 block of E. Basin Road, he said, and believe he now may be driving a bright red SUV, possibly a Ford Explorer. Police released no information about where or how he got the second vehicle.

Trotta is described as white, 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 160 pounds, balding with a short haircut, scruffy beard and mustache. He was last seen wearing all black clothing.

Elinor – last seen wearing a purple puffy coat, pink pants and Disney “Frozen” sneakers – was described as heavy-set at about 60 pounds, with brown, shoulder-length hair.

Her mother, who spoke briefly at the news conference – where photos of her daughter and ex-boyfriend stood nearby on easels – said she also worries because her daughter has been taken away from the routine they share.

She pleaded for her boyfriend to return their daughter or call police.

Asked if she had any message for her daughter, she said, “Mommy loves you and I just want her to come home.”

In addition to 911, tips about her daughter’s whereabouts may be given to police at (302) 573-2800, www.nccpd.com or using the New Castle County Police Smartphone App and through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 and www.tipsubmit.com.

Contact robin brown at (302) 324-2856 or rbrown@delawareonline.com. Find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @rbrowndelaware.

 

Charlotte McKinney Just Found A Genius Way To Burn Off All Those Carl’s Jr. Calories [PHOTOS]

When she was shooting her Carl’s Jr. commercial—you know, the one where she’s topless walking through a farmer’s market—Charlotte McKinney had to chow down on eight hamburgers, and now Kate Upton’s replacement has figured out the most genius way to burn off all those calories: she’s joining this season’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

“Good Morning America” revealed the celebrities who will join the cast for the show’s 20th season Tuesday, and McKinney is one of the few, meaning now there’s an actual reason to watch “Dancing with the Stars.”

The 21-year-old Orlando native will partner with Keo Motsepe, and dance alongside Patti LaBelle, Suzanne Somers, Robert Herjavec of “Shark Tank,” singer/rapper Redfoo, Rumer Willis, “Hunger Games” actress Willow Shields, Army veteran Noah Galloway and Michael Sam, who is the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL.

McKinney, who invented “Monday Bun Day,” has said before that she wouldn’t be seen on the runway anytime soon, but it looks like the dance floor is okay.

“I’m a curvier bombshell with big boobs. I’m not high-fashion. I don’t do runway. You won’t see me at Fashion Week.”

Naya Rivera pregnant: Actress expecting first child with husband Ryan Dorsey

Naya Rivera surprised fans with some exciting news Tuesday night: she’s pregnant.

The former “Glee” actress is expecting her first bundle of joy with her husband of seven months, Ryan Dorsey.

Rivera, 28, opted to use her online platforms to make the special announcement.

“We’re having a baby! Ryan and I feel so blessed and can’t wait to welcome the newest member of our family,” she wrote on her website.

Rivera also shared a pic via Twitter and Instagram that read, “Bun in the oven! XO, The Dorseys.”

“First comes love…then comes marriage… then comes…,” she added.

Rivera and Dorsey tied the knot in a secret Cabo San Lucas ceremony in July, just three

months after she broke off her engagement to rapper Big Sean.

“We feel truly blessed to be joined as husband and wife,” the couple told People magazine at the time of their nuptials.

“Our special day was fated and everything we could have ever asked for.”

The parents-to-be became close friends when Dorsey moved to Los Angeles almost five years ago and their relationship turned romantic shortly after Rivera’s break up with Big Sean, the mag noted of their history.

ESPN Suspends Keith Olbermann for Remarks on Penn State

Keith Olbermann was suspended Tuesday from hosting his ESPN2 program for the rest of the week for churlish remarks he made about Penn State on Twitter.

In one exchange Monday, Olbermann responded “Pitiful” to a tweet from Lisa Aiello DeLeon, a Penn State graduate who wrote, “We are!” and provided a link to a campus newspaper’s article about students raising
$13 million to fight pediatric cancer. On her Facebook page, she subsequently wrote: “My tweet made the news! And check out what KO has to say! I sent to make sure he was aware of this Penn State legacy, started in 1970’s, which has raised over $114mil plus $13mil this yr. — the Penn State culture he can’t deny.”

At another point, Olbermann wrote on Twitter, “PSU students are pitiful because they’re PSU students — period.”

On Tuesday afternoon, he apologized, also on Twitter, for “being stupid and childish.”

ESPN said in a statement that Olbermann’s actions were “completely inappropriate and does not reflect the views of ESPN.”

“We have discussed it with Keith, who recognizes he was wrong,” the statement said.

Last month, Olbermann excoriated the settlement of a lawsuit by Pennsylvania officials that restored the 111 victories that the N.C.A.A. had rescinded from Joe Paterno after the sexual abuse scandal involving his former assistant Jerry Sandusky.

The settlement, which Olbermann described as a “reprehensible bargain,” also called for spending the $60 million fine imposed by the N.C.A.A. on fighting child abuse in Pennsylvania.

Lady Gaga to star in American Horror Story next season!

Monster casting news: In a stunning coup, American Horror Story has signed Lady Gaga to star in the next edition of the FX anthology series.

EW can reveal the Grammy winner will be a series regular in the fifth edition of the popular thriller, which is expected to air this fall. This will mark Gaga’s first starring role in a major production as an actress.

The new theme of the season, and the title, is American Horror Story: Hotel, as revealed by Gaga herself in a video tweet (below). It’s not yet know what kind of character she will play.

The move follows the “Bad Romance” singer’s head-turning performance at the Oscars on Sunday where she surprised fans accustomed to her wild outfits and heavily produced pop hits by taking the stage in a traditional flowing white gown and belting out a full-throated tribute to The Sound of Music. One Time critic declared the performance “could redefine her career.”

Now she’s taking an even more unexpected turn by joining the cast of a TV series  albeit one that’s critically acclaimed and has plenty of theatrical elements that one could imagine appealing to the singer. Plus, like HBO’s star-drawing True Detective, FX’s horror series boasts a format that appeals to in-demand performers since stars can commit to only a single season and still have a starring role.

Yet one question that some will certainly ask: Can Gaga pull off a sustained acting gig? Her prior acting credits are in music videos and short scenes – most significantly minor roles in Men in Black 3, and director Robert Rodriguez’s Machete Kills (clip below) and Sin City 2: A Dame to Kill For. Rodriguez said he was impressed by her performance and told E! she could have a long acting career if she pursued one. “She would be fantastic,” Rodriguez said. “The camera loves her. She’s a great performer. She’s performed twice for me now and I was blown away by her discipline. She studied acting before she became a singer and you could really tell.”

Gaga previously worked with AHS co-creator Ryan Murphy when she lent the use of her songs to his Fox musical comedy Glee in 2010. “I love Glee,” she said at the time. “I love the cast and the creativity of the writers. I went to a musical theater school and used to dream that some day the students would be singing my songs.” Next for the show: AHS will close PaleyFest in Los Angeles on March 15 with a panel from last year’s Freak Show edition along with executive producer Tim Minear – and there’s sure to be a curious question or two about next season and Gaga’s role. EW’s Tim Stack will moderate the panel.

Insanity Defense Fails in Killing of the Former Navy Sniper Chris Kyle

STEPHENVILLE, Tex. — It took two years for Eddie Ray Routh to face murder charges in the killings of the former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle and his friend in 2013, and two weeks for his trial to conclude. In the end, a jury of 10 women and two men took about two hours on Tuesday night to reject Mr. Routh’s claims that he was legally insane, find him guilty and, in effect, send him to prison for life.

“We all had our strong feelings,” a juror, Barrett Hutchison, told ABC News on Wednesday. “We were led in the same direction.”

Jurors appeared to have no real disagreements during deliberations, a sign of the degree to which they had rejected Mr. Routh’s defense — put forth by his lawyers, their mental health specialist and by Mr. Routh himself — that he was suffering from a psychosis and paranoid delusions when he shot Mr. Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield at a gun range a short drive from the courtroom here.

Prosecutors and their expert witnesses told the jury that Mr. Routh was a heavy abuser of alcohol and marijuana, did not have post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the Marines and may have been making bizarre statements to persuade the authorities that he was severely mentally ill in order to avoid prison. Months before the shooting, police officers who responded to a 911 call that Mr. Routh had threatened to kill himself found him on the street wearing neither a shirt nor shoes. He told officers that he was a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Evidence shows that there was a real definite pattern there, when it came to, you know, his earlier convictions,” another juror, Kristina Yager, told ABC News. “He would get intoxicated, get in trouble, and then the police would show up, and he would say, ‘I’m a veteran, I have P.T.S.D., I’m insane.’ You know, and every time something bad happened, he’d pull that card.”

Because prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty, the verdict allowed the judge to immediately issue the only sentence available under Texas law — life in prison, without the possibility of parole. The case attracted global attention as it coincided with the release of the Oscar-nominated movie “American Sniper,” which is based on Mr. Kyle’s experience in Iraq as the military’s deadliest sniper.

“It was always a long shot because Routh killed a hero,” said David Haynes, a Texas lawyer who represented Dena Schlosser, who killed her 10-month-old daughter by cutting off her arms in 2004 and was found not guilty by reason of insanity by a judge. “The seriousness of any murder case always depends in some part on who is dead.”

On a Facebook page dedicated to Mr. Kyle, his widow, Taya, posted a message Wednesday morning in which she praised God for the jury and the “good people” of Stephenville. “Chris, you are the love of my life,” she wrote. “You live on in my heart. You always will. I hope we all live lives that make you proud.”

Jurors said that a few members of the panel, including Mr. Hutchison, had seen “American Sniper,” but he said it did not influence his view of the case. He said that during deliberations, he looked at each man involved “as a person and tried to make, you know, a reasonable judgment.”

In several cases since the 1980s, veterans charged with murder or attempted murder have used an insanity defense and blamed combat-related stress, in whole or in part, for their actions. Defense lawyers for several of them succeeded in persuading a jury or a judge that their clients had a flashback to their combat experiences and should be treated at a hospital rather than sent to prison.

Mr. Routh’s defense differed from those cases and in some ways was weaker.

Experts who examined him said he experienced no direct combat while in the Marines. Dr. Michael Arambula, a forensic psychiatrist who evaluated Mr. Routh for the prosecution, said Mr. Routh found the shooting range at Rough Creek Lodge to be upscale, and told the jury that it “didn’t remind him of Iraq.” Mr. Routh said he believed he was surrounded by people who were half-pig and half-human, but another prosecution expert raised questions about whether Mr. Routh held such beliefs or got the idea from watching his favorite television shows.

In 1988, Ruben Pratts, a Vietnam veteran, opened fire on a Brooklyn street at two suspected car thieves, but a jury found he was not responsible for his actions after he had testified that he believed he was shooting at the Vietcong. “He was back in ’Nam when he did what he did,” said his lawyer, Jeffrey A. Rabin.

In 2009, Davon Thomas, who developed P.T.S.D. after serving in Iraq, fatally shot his girlfriend in Charlotte, N.C., but a judge ruled that he was not guilty because he was insane, and committed him to a mental health facility. Mr. Thomas had believed his girlfriend was part of a sleeper cell of Iraqi militants, and he shot her after the attack at Fort Hood, Tex., in 2009 heightened his paranoia.

Inside the courtroom before Mr. Routh was led away Tuesday night, Don Littlefield, Mr. Littlefield’s father, read a statement, telling Mr. Routh that although his son was not in the military, he tried to help veterans. “That’s what Chad was trying to do, to help you,” he said.

Several times throughout the trial, the jury had heard Mr. Routh’s statements that although he knew who Mr. Kyle was, he did not know Mr. Littlefield’s name. “Now you will have the rest of your life to remember it,” Mr. Littlefield’s father told him.

And then he slowly spelled out his son’s name, all 15 letters.

Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane undergoes surgery, out 12 weeks

The Chicago Blackhawks announced that leading scorer Patrick Kane had successful surgery to repair a fracture in his left clavicle. He is expected to need 12 weeks to recover from the procedure.

That timeline puts Kane out for the remainder of the regular season and a good portion of the postseason as well.

Kane was tied for the NHL’s scoring lead with 64 points. His 27 goals and 37 assists led the Blackhawks in both categories.

The absence of one of the league’s top producers would be difficult for any team to overcome. Chicago has good depth up front to remain competitive, but Kane is irreplaceable.

That’s why it will be interesting to see what Chicago does as the trade deadline approaches. General manager Stan Bowman has often shied away from deadline deals, which can often be expensive in terms of the assets teams have to surrender to improve in the short term. As more of a big-picture thinker, this presents a pretty big challenge to Bowman as the team is among the few that are expected to compete for Stanley Cups every year.

The Blackhawks have reportedly shown interest in Arizona Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette, who plays primarily at center, but can play wing. He’d represent a big drop off in production from Kane (who wouldn’t?), but his two-way abilities could come in handy. With a contract set to expire in the summer, Vermette would probably only serve Chicago as a rental.

Chicago will have to proceed cautiously as the big extensions handed to Kane and captain Jonathan Toews over the summer kick in next season. That puts more emphasis on being able to lean on players with cheaper contracts to come in and contribute under a tight cap, making players in the prospect pipeline a little more valuable to this club. Without knowing where the salary cap will go next season, things only get more challenging.

As for this season, there’s only going to be more pressure on wingers Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp to pick up their production, particularly Sharp who has just 10 goals this season after posting 34 last year.

Where Chicago will really miss their young superstar is in the postseason, however. Kane has been a top performer with 39 points over the last two trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He won the Conn Smythe as the Blackhawks took home their second Stanley Cup in four years in 2013.

Without Kane, the Blackhawks face an uphill battle in a postseason that could potentially see them facing off against the rival St. Louis Blues in the first round. With the scoring depth the Blues have shown this year, it’s going to be tougher to match them goal for goal if the Blackhawks don’t have their top offensive performer.

Kane’s absence for the remainder of the season will also cost him a bit of history. He offered the United States’ best hope in ending the Art Ross (and possibly even the Hart Trophy) drought. An American-born player has never won the league’s scoring title or MVP award. Kane sure looked like he had an honest shot.

It’s a tough blow to the Blackhawks, but especially tough for Kane, who has really put his career on hyper-drive these last few seasons.

Angels’ Josh Hamilton meeting with MLB about disciplinary issue

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is meeting with Major League Baseball officials about a disciplinary issue.

Angels spokesman Tim Mead confirmed the Los Angeles Times’ initial report Wednesday that Hamilton went to New York to meet with baseball officials. The team declined to give any more specific information.

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Hamilton hasn’t reported to spring training in Arizona after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder earlier this month. He is expected to be out until after the regular season begins.

The 2010 AL MVP is entering the third season of a five-year, $125 million contract. Hamilton has been a disappointment for the Angels, batting just .255 with 31 homers and 123 RBI in two seasons.

Hamilton also has a well-chronicled history of drug addiction and alcohol abuse, leading to previous suspensions.

MLB declined comment on Hamilton.

Madonna falls hard while performing at Brit Awards

That’s the sound of Madonna eating stage as she fell — HARD — during her caped performance at the Brit Awards, happening now in London. But, because she’s a boss, she got right back up and kept on performing.

Luckily, she didn’t impale herself on any of those writhing dudes’ horns, cuz that would’ve sucked. Madonna assured us that she is “fine!”:

                      Instagram | @madonna

Armani hooked me up! My beautiful cape was tied too tight! But nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up! Thanks for your good wishes! I’m fine! ❤️#livingforlove

Discovery Bay Man Sues Purina Alleging ‘Beneful’ Dog Food Sickened, Killed His Dogs

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) — A dog owner in Discovery Bay has filed a lawsuit against a pet food company alleging that thousands of dogs have been sickened or died from eating a brand of the company’s dry dog food.

Pet owner Frank Lucido filed the suit on Feb. 5 in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California against Nestle Purina PetCare Company.

Lucido claims he fed his three dogs Beneful “kibble” style dog food, and within a short period of time, two were sick and one was dead.

The suit alleges the food contains propylene glycol, which it says is an animal toxin used in automobile antifreeze, and mycotoxins, a group of toxins produced by fungus that occurs in grains.

In the suit, Lucido alleges that in the past four years, there have been more than 3,000 complaints online about dogs becoming ill or dying after eating Beneful, having shown “consistent symptoms,” including stomach and related internal bleeding, liver malfunction or failure, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, seizures and kidney failure. The complaints about Beneful report symptoms that are consistent with mycotoxin poisoning, according to the suit.

Purina issued a statement saying “there are no quality issues with Beneful,” and dog owners could continue feeding it to their dogs without any concern.

“Like other pet foods, Beneful is occasionally the subject of social media-driven misinformation,” the company said in its statement. “On-line postings often contain false, unsupported and misleading allegations that cause undue concern and confusion for our Beneful customers.”

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of propylene glycol as an additive in human food and animal feed, and Purina screens its grain to prevent mycotoxins from getting into its products, spokesman Keith Schopp said.

The FDA has not issued any warnings about Beneful “kibble” style dog food. In a statement, the FDA said it does not comment on pending litigation.

Jennifer Dooren, a spokeswoman, declined to comment on whether the FDA was investigating Beneful “kibble” style dog food.

The results of toxicology testing on Lucido’s English Bulldog, Dozer, who died, are pending, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit says one of Lucido’s dogs that fell sick, a Labrador named Remo, is undergoing medical testing.

A call and email to Lucido’s attorney, Jeffrey Cereghino, were not immediately returned.

The suit asks the court to expand the case to include other dog owners whose dogs were sickened or died. It asks for unspecified damages and restitution, although it says the claims exceed $5 million.

In recent years, Beneful has faced two lawsuits that were dismissed by the courts, according to Purina’s statement.

However, in a lawsuit settled in May, Purina and Waggin’ Train LLC agreed to create a $6.5 million fund to compensate pet owners who claimed their pets were sickened after eating China-made jerky treats.

At the time, FDA officials said the pet treats were linked to more than 1,000 deaths in dogs and more than 4,800 complaints of animal illness. Three humans were sickened after eating the treats.