Shooting and daycare assault cases also lead to prison time

The woman who lured a 21-year-old Dover man into what was supposed to be a robbery has pled guilty to her role in his murder. Lisa Wagaman, 31, of Dover, pled guilty to Murder Second Degree and Conspiracy Second Degree for the 2017 killing of Daquan Dukes. In June 2017, Wagaman told Dukes she needed a ride to the Pine Grove Apartments on Webbs Lane in Dover. Once in the parking lot, her co-defendant Brett Scott approached the car and exchanged gunfire with Dukes. Scott was shot in the chest, hand, and foot, and Dukes was fatally shot in the chest. After Wagaman pled guilty, a Superior Court judge immediately sentenced Wagaman to 15 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 1 year of probation. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Whitelock prosecuted the case with assistance from paralegal Sue Balik, administrative assistant Amanda Balke, and social worker Esther Powell. In July, a jury convicted Scott of Murder Second Degree, Attempted Robbery First Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and Conspiracy Second Degree, and he was sentenced by a judge to 26 years in prison, followed by 1 year of work release then 1 year of probation.

A 29-year-old Wilmington woman was sentenced to life plus 9 years in prison for a 2017 murder. Deputy Attorneys General John Downs and Rebecca Song secured the verdict for Deneisha Wright. In January 2017, Wilmington Police responded to a report of shots fired on North Lamotte Street and found 66-year-old Charles May sitting in his pickup truck suffering from gunshot wounds. An investigation showed Wright walked up to the truck, pointed the gun at May and attempted to rob him of pills and money. When May resisted, Wright fired several shots, hitting May twice. In May 2018, a Superior Court jury convicted Wright of Murder First Degree, Attempted Robbery First Degree, and 2 counts of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony. Wright was also convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited in a separate bench trial. A Superior Court judge sentenced Wright to life plus 9 years in prison. DOJ paralegal Stacey Coupe, social worker Crystal Pitts, and tech specialist Theodore Griffin all assisted with the prosecution. Sergeant Justin Kreysa of the Wilmington Police Department was the chief investigating officer.

A shooting in the parking lot of a Newark restaurant will lead to at least 15 years in prison for a Wilmington man. Deputy Attorney General William Leonard secured a guilty plea from Thomas Ellerbe, 41, to Assault Second Degree, Conspiracy Second Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited. In July 2017, Ellerbe and another man emerged from the bushes in the parking lot of the Applebee’s restaurant on Elkton Road in Newark as the manager left for the evening. When the manager refused to take the two men into the restaurant, Ellerbe shot the victim in the leg and stole a power drill he had with him. Ellerbe, barred from having a firearm because of previous felony convictions on Robbery and Burglary charges, faces at least 15 years in prison. Ellerbe also faces up to 10 years in prison for violating his parole in Maryland. Ellerbe’s co-defendant, James Brooks, pled guilty in August to Robbery Second Degree, Conspiracy Second Degree, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and was sentenced by a judge to 7 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 1 year of probation. Detective Daniel Bystricky of the Newark Police Department was the chief investigating officer. DOJ paralegal Donna Lee and social worker Kristen Fluharty-Emory assisted with the prosecution.

A 33-year-old former daycare provider was sentenced to 18 months in prison for breaking the leg of an infant. Deputy Attorney General Jan van Amerongen secured the sentence for Amber Worthy of New Castle. In September 2017, while working at the Happy Kids Academy on Old Baltimore Pike in Newark, Worthy aggressively moved an 11-month-old in her care and caused a spiral fracture to the child’s tibia. In July, Deputy Attorney General Diana Dunn secured a guilty plea from Worthy to Assault Second Degree. A Superior Court judge sentenced Worthy to 18 months in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 18 months of probation. Social worker Bettina Jones assisted on the case.

DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is advising Delawareans of a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuce. The lettuce could be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and could make people sick. To date, there have been no confirmed cases reported in Delaware, but DPH urges consumers to take precautions to prevent illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising consumers, food establishments and retailers to not eat, serve or sell any romaine lettuce while the agency investigates the E. coli outbreak linked to romaine. Consumers who have any type of romaine lettuce at home – including whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine or bags and boxes of precut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine – should not eat it and instead throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick. If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine or whether a salad mix contains romaine, do not eat it and throw it away.

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce.

The CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Government of Canada and multiple states are investigating the outbreak. According to the CDC, no common grower, supplier, distributor or brand has been identified at this time.
• 32 people infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 11 states. According to the CDC, nearby New Jersey has reported three cases and Maryland has reported one case.
• 13 ill people have been hospitalized, including one person who developed kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
• Ill people in this outbreak were infected with E. coli bacteria with the same DNA fingerprint as the E. coli strain isolated from ill people in a 2017 outbreak linked to leafy greens in the United States and to romaine lettuce in Canada. The current outbreak is not related to a recent multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce earlier this year.

People usually get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli two to eight days (average of three to four days) after swallowing the bacteria. Most people infected with E. coli O157 develop diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting. Most people recover within one week. Some illnesses last longer and can be more severe, resulting in a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS can occur in people of any age but is most common in young children under 5 years, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of HUS can include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue and irritability, small, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, and decreased urination. People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately. Medical providers should report suspected cases of E. coli O157:H7 to the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990 or 24/7 at 888-295-5156.
For more information about this outbreak, visit https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2018/o157h7-11-18/index.html.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

DOVER – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) continues to advise Delawareans of a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Reading infections linked to raw turkey products. As originally stated Nov. 9, 2018, 164 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading have been reported in 35 states, including one person in Delaware. Of the cases reported nationally, 63 people have been hospitalized, according to the CDC. No Delawareans have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported from Delaware. One death was reported from California. Since Nov. 9, 2018, the outbreak strain has been identified in turkey products produced by Jennie-O.

On November 15, 2018, Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC, in Barron, Wisconsin, recalled approximately 91,388 pounds of raw ground turkey products. The recalled ground turkey was sold in one-pound packages labeled with establishment number “P-190.” This is found inside the USDA mark of inspection. The following products were recalled:
• “Jennie-O Ground Turkey 93% LEAN | 7% FAT” with “Use by” dates of 10/01/2018 and 10/02/2018.
• “Jennie-O Taco Seasoned Ground Turkey” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.
• “Jennie-O Ground Turkey 85% LEAN | 15% FAT” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018.
• “Jennie-O Italian Seasoned Ground Turkey” with a “Use by” date of 10/02/2018

Consumers, retailers and food establishments are advised not to eat, sell, or serve recalled Jennie-O brand ground turkey products. For more information about this recall, visit https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-112-2018-release.

A single, common supplier of raw turkey products or of live turkeys has not been identified that could account for the whole outbreak. Therefore, with the exception of the recalled Jennie-O brand ground turkey products, the CDC is not advising that consumers avoid eating properly cooked turkey products, or that retailers stop selling raw turkey products.

However, individuals should follow these steps to help prevent Salmonella infection from raw turkey:

Always handle raw turkey carefully and cook it thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. This outbreak is a reminder that raw turkey can have germs that spread around food preparation areas and will make you sick.

Wash your hands. Salmonella infections can spread from one person to another if hands have Salmonella germs on them. Wash hands before and after preparing or eating food, after contact with animals, and after using the restroom or changing diapers.

Cook raw turkey thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Turkey breasts, whole turkeys, and ground poultry, including turkey burgers, casseroles, and sausage, should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs. Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check, and place it in the thickest part of the food.

Don’t spread germs from raw turkey around food preparation areas. Washing raw poultry before cooking is not recommended. Germs in raw poultry juices can spread to other areas and foods. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they are touched by raw turkey. Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey and other raw meats if possible.

CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets. Germs like Salmonella in raw pet food can make your pets sick. Your family also can get sick by handling the raw food or by taking care of your pet.

According to the CDC, the outbreak strain has been identified in samples taken from raw turkey pet food, raw turkey products and live turkeys. Of the 85 people interviewed, 44 (52 percent) reported preparing or eating turkey products that were purchased raw, including ground turkey, turkey pieces and whole turkey. People who were ill reported buying many different brands of raw turkey products from multiple stores. Additionally, three of the 85 people who were interviewed said they became sick after pets in their home ate raw ground turkey pet food. Another three people interviewed worked in a facility that raises or processes turkeys or lived with someone who did.

Most people with Salmonella infections develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. Children younger than 5, adults older than 65, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness. People who experience these symptoms should seek medical attention.

For more information about this outbreak, visit https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-07-18/index.html. For more information about preventing Salmonella infection, visit https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/prevention.html.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com.

The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.

NEW CASTLE (Nov. 20, 2018) – The Department of Health and Social Services’ Adopt-A-Family Holiday program is seeking sponsors to help make the holiday season a happier one for thousands of children, adults, people with disabilities and seniors in need in Delaware.

The Adopt-A-Family Holiday program anonymously matches sponsors to seniors, individuals with disabilities or families with children. In 2017, the Holiday Adopt-A-Family program, through the leadership of the Human Services Council, Inc., helped 2,467 Delawareans.

“We always appreciate those who reach out and help those in need, but it is especially meaningful at the holidays when donations have the ability to lift people’s spirits, too,” Governor John Carney said. “Please take a moment to consider helping your fellow Delawareans in need by making a donation through Adopt-A-Family’s Holiday program. It’s another way we can share a connection with those in need and make sure the holidays are happier for them.”

The deadline to “adopt” families with children is Dec. 7, and all gift cards must be delivered to the Adopt-A-Family office by Dec. 14. The deadline to deliver gifts for seniors and persons with disabilities to the Adopt-A-Family office is Dec. 7.

Adopt-A-Family provides sponsors with the age and gender of each child in the family and a brief description of the circumstances that led to their need for assistance. The sponsor then provides gift cards for the head-of-household to use to purchase holiday gifts. The recommended minimum gift is $100 per child, with a gift card for the parent/guardian optional but thoughtful.

Those interested in adopting seniors or persons with disabilities will be matched to an individual who is living in a nursing home or living alone receiving in-home care services. A wish list of things the individual enjoys, needs, or would appreciate, as well as clothing preferences and sizes, will be provided.

“I am always gratified to see the generous spirit of Delawareans in action,” said Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker. “Not only are you helping a Delaware individual or family by donating to Adopt-A-Family this holiday season, but that act of giving back can also increase your feelings of well-being, lower your holiday stress and provide you with a greater sense of purpose.”

Families who are “adopted” are contacted by Adopt-A-Family to pick up their gift cards from the Adopt-A-Family office. Eligible recipients are referred to Adopt-A-Family by social workers from social service agencies throughout the state.

“Each year we find that many of our neighbors in need are referred to Adopt-A-Family through our State Service Centers, and other organizations, because of serious medical conditions, behavioral health challenges, domestic violence, homelessness and unemployment,” said Renée P. Beaman, Director of DHSS’ Division of State Service Centers, which operates the program. “The stories of those in need are poignant, and I am hopeful that my fellow Delawareans will respond generously.”

These circumstances are a sample of the hundreds of individuals and families available for adoption this season:

• A single mother of three young children was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. She has started chemo treatments and is living with other disabilities. This family is in significant need of help from the community.
• A family, with one teenage daughter, lost their home in Puerto Rico and all possessions during Hurricane Maria. The family relocated to Delaware. They moved in with friends, found employment and began to rebuild their lives here. Unfortunately, those working were laid off and the family had to stay in a hotel for a week. Since then, they were referred to a program for assistance, Dad has recently found work and the daughter has been able to start school. Starting over after such devastation is humbling for any family but the combination of relocating to a new place where the language barrier affects the access to services has been even more devastating for this particular family.
• A 77-year-old male is a veteran and was awarded the Purple Heart. He has no family to support him. He loves the Philadelphia Eagles and is a big fan who watches their games consistently. He also loves hats.
•  A 93-year-old female, confined to a wheelchair, enjoys being read poems and stories. Stuffed animals bring her great joy. She has no family and is widowed.

This year Adopt-A-Family Delaware has an online platform for “adopting” families. Those interested in using the online platform may scroll through a list of available families and choose which family they would like to “adopt” until Friday, Dec. 7.

• New Castle County: https://www.roonga.com/aafnewcastle
• Kent County: https://www.roonga.com/aafkent
• Sussex County: https://www.roonga.com/aafsussex

To “adopt” an individual or family, please contact:

• New Castle County: New Castle County Adopt-A-Family at 302-792-6510 or email AdoptafamilyNC2@delaware.gov. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mail or drop off donations to this address: Adopt-A-Family, 3301 Green St., Claymont, DE 19703.

• Kent and Sussex counties: Kent and Sussex Adopt-A-Family at 302-424-7260 or email Adopt-a-family-ks@delaware.gov. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Mail or drop off donations to this address: Adopt-A-Family, 13 SW Front St., Milford, DE 19963.

After shopping for individuals, items may be dropped off at Adopt-A-Family offices in New Castle County (3301 Green St., Claymont) or Kent and Sussex counties (13 SW Front St., Milford). Sponsors will be given a code when they are matched to include with the gift cards or items when they drop them off so the Adopt-A-Family staff knows who should receive the items.

Gift cards may be mailed to either Adopt-A-Family office. If choosing this option, please include the family code provided by Adopt-A-Family staff in the shipping address when mailing the gift cards: Adopt-A-Family – FAMILY CODE 00000. If you would prefer to drop the gift cards off in person, please contact the Adopt-A-Family office to schedule a drop-off appointment, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Adopt-A-Family program aids families in crisis – those struggling with illness, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty or unemployment – throughout the year. The program was started in 1973 by Marge Meyerman and is coordinated by the Division of State Service Centers in all three counties.

For more information about Adopt-A-Family, go to the website or contact your nearest state service center.

Other defendants face prison time on murder and manslaughter charges

A Wilmington drug dealer who laced heroin with fentanyl and oxycodone received a prison sentence for his conviction on drug charges earlier this year. Deputy Attorney General Monil Amin secured the guilty conviction and sentence for 29-year-old Sidierra Bailey. In November 2017, Detective Jeffrey Silvers of the Wilmington Police conducted surveillance in the area of the 200 block of North Rodney Street and observed Bailey conducting multiple drug sales as Bailey continued to count bundles of heroin from the pocket on the front of his hoodie. A Superior Court jury convicted Bailey on June 30, 2018 of 1 count of Drug Dealing Heroin laced with Fentanyl and 1 count of Drug Dealing Oxycodone Pills. A Superior Court judge sentenced Bailey as a habitual offender because of previous drug and weapons convictions, to 9 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release, then 1 year of intensive supervision.

A 36-year-old Georgetown man pled guilty to Murder Second Degree in connection to a fatal shooting during an attempted robbery. In August 2017, Preston Nailor fatally wounded Ty’ron Lake, 19, of Bridgeville, when the two exchanged gunfire during a botched drug deal along Apple Tree Road in Bridgeville. A Superior Court judge immediately sentenced Nailor to 15 years including completion of the KEY substance abuse program, followed by 10 years of probation. Deputy Attorneys General John Donahue and Amanda Nyman prosecuted the case. The chief investigating officer was Delaware State Police Detective Daniel Grassi.

A Wilmington man pled guilty to stealing a car and killing two people after a head-on collision. Deputy Attorney General Barzilai Axelrod secured the plea to Manslaughter, Reckless Endangering, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and Driving Under the Influence from Stephen Goodman, 34. In December 2017, while walking in the 1000 block of Bennett Street in the city, Goodman approached a woman standing next to a running Nissan Altima, shoved the woman, and got in the car and drove away. Later that evening, witnesses observed the vehicle speeding and running red lights on Churchmans Road in Stanton. Goodman eventually drove onto Delaware Park Boulevard, crossed the center line of the two-laned road, and struck another car. John Simon, 77, and Irma Simon, 92, both of Mantua, NJ died as a result of the collision. If declared a habitual offender, Goodman faces 25 years to life in prison when sentenced next year. Social worker Kristen Fluharty-Emory assisted with the case.