Haunted house suspends actors

AKRON — Complaints from visitors about being pushed onto a mattress where actors simulated raping them at an “edgy” haunted house has led to the suspension of the actors involved. Akron Fright Fest owner Jeremy Caudill says he was “shocked and appalled” when he learned Monday what had happened over the weekend at his haunted house in Summit County’s Springfield Township. Some visitors complained to the newspaper they were injured by actors who shoved them. Two customers said they were pushed onto a mattress where actors simulated rape. Caudill says he’s still determining what happened and promises additional security and monitoring going forward. Fright Fest is advertised as a hands-on experience with actors getting physical and swearing amid “risque scenes.”

Man killed in Va. plane crash

BRANDY STATION, Va. — An Ohio man who was flying a small plane has died after the aircraft crashed. Jon S. Thocker of Cincinnati was the only occupant of the plane. A preliminary investigation revealed the plane was conducting “aerodynamic maneuvers” when it crashed into a field in Culpeper County Friday night. No one on the ground was injured. The plane was part of an aerobatic act at the Culpeper Air Fest. The event went on as scheduled Saturday.

Probation for girl’s hot car death

MEDINA — An Ohio man has received two years’ probation for the death of his 6-month-old daughter who was left in a car for more than two hours on a nearly 90-degree day in July.Christopher Stewart, 22, of Lodi, apologized to his wife and family for failing his responsibilities as a father during a hearing Friday in northeast Ohio’s Medina County. Stewart pleaded guilty to felony child endangering before sentencing. Medina County Prosecutor S. Forrest Thompson says Stewart forgot about his daughter, whose name wasn’t revealed in court, while he attended a baseball game in Medina. Thompson called the death a “family tragedy” that didn’t warrant prison.

Inmate indicted in cellmate’s death

LEBANON — A inmate accused of strangling his prison cellmate in Ohio has been indicted on an aggravated murder charge and could get the death penalty if convicted. Jack Welninski, 33, was indicted Monday in the April 23 death of 40-year-old Kevin Nill at the Lebanon Correctional Institution in southwest Ohio. Investigators believe Welninski killed Nill to get transferred to another prison. Welninski currently is in the prison in Youngstown serving a 69-year sentence for the 2015 attempted murder of a police officer. Welninski and Nill were cellmates for less than an hour when Nill was found dead. Nill was serving 18 months for attempted domestic violence.

Teen gets life for killing neighbor

WARREN — A Niles teenager who beat a 94-year-old neighbor to death with a flashlight when he was 15 has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance for parole. Jacob LaRosa, 19, apologized and begged for a second chance before a judge in Trumbull County sentenced him for the slaying, attempted rape and robbery of Marie Belcastro in March 2015. His attorneys objected to the sentence and said they planned to appeal. LaRosa pleaded no contest to aggravated murder and other charges in February. He couldn’t receive the death penalty because of his age at the time of the killing. Prosecutors in a sentencing memorandum said LaRosa’s crimes were “straight out of a slasher film.” Relatives said Belcastro had shown LaRosa nothing but kindness.

Man pleads guilty to 4 slayings,

CLEVELAND — A man labeled a serial killer by a prosecutor has pleaded guilty to charges in four slayings and will spend at least 30 years in prison. Robert Rembert Jr., 48, of Bedford, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of voluntary manslaughter in a Cleveland courtroom. One of Rembert’s attorneys called it a “difficult case” he’s glad is resolved. Rembert apologized before sentencing. Rembert raped and strangled Rita Mae Payne in 1997 and Kimberly Hall in 2015, and fatally shot his cousin, Jerry Rembert, and family friend Morgan Nietzel in 2015. He served six years in prison for killing Dadren Lewis in 1997.

Allegedly used daughter in porn

HARRISBURG, Pa. — An Ohio woman has been arrested and returned to Pennsylvania to face charges she created pornographic images of her 3-year-old daughter. Kayla Parker, 26, of Dayton, was charged with sexual abuse, exploitation of children and other offenses. The crimes allegedly occurred when Parker lived with a boyfriend in Upper Darby, outside Philadelphia. Her boyfriend, David Carbonaro, is awaiting trial in Delaware County. During a search at Carbonaro’s residence, investigators allegedly discovered hundreds of images and several video files of a 3-year-old girl in various stages of undress.

Akron scraps anti-barking law

AKRON — The Akron City Council has scrapped legislation that could have imposed jail time on dog owners whose pets bark loudly. Council on Monday voted to follow the recommendation of its Public Safety Committee to not approve legislation calling for the increased penalties. Councilman Russ Neal Jr., who introduced the legislation, voted against disapproval. Neal’s proposed legislation included increasing nuisance barking from a minor misdemeanor with a $100 maximum fine to a fourth-degree misdemeanor with a $250 maximum fine and up to 30 days in jail. Councilman Donnie Kammer says the citywide conversation about loud barking dogs will continue, but says he does not expect legislation coming back to the council any time soon.