7’s Heather Walker investigates this complicated and expensive fight for the family.

Joanne and Rafael Alvarez knew they wanted children. But it has been a struggle.

Joanne Alvarez: “I’ve gone for, like, multiple surgeries. We’ve put on medication, just various things, you know, and it’s just not working right now.”

They also tried adopting, but eventually decided to give up on their dream of having a family, until they got a late night phone call from Joanne’s home country of South Africa.

Joanne Alvarez: “In February, and it was around like 3 a.m., so I picked up and she’s like, ‘Oh, your brother, his wife just died. My sister-in-law. And, she left behind two baby girls, and they’re twins’. And I was like, ‘What?'”

Joanne discovered she had two-week-old twin nieces, Geraldine and Bianca. They were in foster care because her brother was not able to care for them.

But Joanne and Rafael knew they could.

Rafael Alvarez: “I’ve always wanted to be a father to girls. That’s always been my dream to have a little girl.”

Joanne and Rafael decided to file for custody of the twins. But they discovered getting the babies to South Florida would be difficult.

Joanne Alvarez: “So now, what makes it challenging is that we’re fighting this other family to keep my nieces and my family.”

Joanne tells 7Investigates her brother surrendered the girls into foster care after his wife died. Now that the babies are living with a foster family, he can’t sign over custody to her.

Joanne Alvarez: “So unfortunately, we have to go through the exact same process for an international adoption.”

And that process is not easy or cheap.

Joanne Alvarez: “It can range anywhere between 40 and $60,000.

Holt international adoption agency agreed to help the Alvarez’s. But the family court in South Africa set a tight deadline.

Joanne Alvarez: “They told us like, ‘Well, you have until May to get all your ducks in a row,’ so that’s when panic set in.”

At the custody hearing, the court will rule whether the twins can come to South Florida to live, or permanently stay with their foster family.

Joanne Alvarez: “It’s a sad situation. But we just gotta keep going at this point,. But at the end of the day, this is my family and I don’t want my family to be just ripped apart.”

Joanne hopes the judge will let her have the girls so they can be raised by family.

Heather Walker, 7 News.

Joanne and Rafael have set up a Gofundme to help raise the money for the adoption. If you’d like to donate, click here.

No one wants to start their day this way.

Arely Correa, car towed: “We got up early in the morning to go to work, and we were surprised when both of our cars went missing.”

It was April Fools Day, but this was no joke for Arely Correa and her mom.

They both had parked their cars, like they do every night. But the cars were gone the next morning, along with dozens of others.

Desiree Vannucci, car towed: “I came outside, and the vehicles were all gone.”

Desiree Vannucci says it was a shock for people living at Soleil Lake Condominium in Sweetwater.

Desiree Vannucci: “My neighbors were out here walking around, looking for their cars.”

When they called the condo management, they learned the cars had been towed.

But why? We went to get answers.

Heather Walker: “I’m with 7News. We’re here about the cars that were towed.”

Company employee: “This is private property. I’m going to ask you to stop filming, please.”

Excel Management Associates, or EMA, manages the building.

Off camera, we were told this letter was sent to condo owners back in January. It says the condo “Association has decided to change the parking permits and issue new ones,” giving residents until the end of February to make the change.

Desiree Vannucci: “They don’t notify us, they change rules.”

Desiree and other residents say they never received that letter.

Arely Correa: “We had decals, but they weren’t ‘valid’ ones.”

The management company tells 7 Investigates it has suspended towing, at least temporarily.

But residents say the damage is done.

Arely Correa: “It was, like, really hard. We lost, like, a full day of work.”

In addition to the hassle, they had to pay $165 to get their cars back.

Arely Correa: “It’s not like we all have that money. It’s hard; I know everyone is going through a tough time.”

The management company says it will determine if anyone can be reimbursed.

Residents are hoping to get their money back but happy that at least they have their cars.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

7’s Heather Walker introduces us to him in tonight’s 7Spotlight.

The man in the hat is TikTok star Victor Oliveira from Boston. In the hoodie, is Chuck Johnson. A 12-year-old from Fort Lauderdale.

The two met last month, when Chuck was selling candy on the side of the road.

Victor Oliveira: “I said, ‘Hey, Chuck. What are you selling candy for?’ And he said he was trying to get shoes for school. So that right there just it hit my heart.”

Victor Oliveira is known as the Good Boss on TikTok.

He has millions of followers and became famous for his videos helping homeless people get sober and off the street. But he says something about this teen caught his attention.

Victor Oliveira: “He’s not doing what most kids out there are doing, what I did myself. I made some stupid, you know, mistakes.”

Victor says he has been off drugs and alcohol for 12 years and now focuses on helping others. He took Chuck shopping for the shoes he wanted.

Victor is able to do shopping trips like this thanks to donations from his followers.

Heather Walker: “What were you thinking?”

Chuck Johnson/viral TikTok teen: “In my head, I was like, ‘He didn’t have to do all this for me.’ I was just selling a candy trying to help my mom out, and trying to buy some shoes.”

Chuck has seven brothers and sisters. He uses money from his candy sales to pay their expenses.

Even during his shopping spree, he was thinking of others.

Chuck Johnson: “Mom, you don’t need nothing from Walmart?”

Chuck’s Mom: “Well, not really, because he’s helping you.”

Victor Oliveira: “What is it that you need? You need some bread?”

Chuck’s mom: “Yes.”

Victor Oliveira: “OK, what kind of bread?”

Chuck’s mom: “Just any kind.”

Victor Oliveira: “Just any kind? OK, what else?”

Chuck’s mom: “That’s it, because you’re doing enough for my son.”

Victor Oliveira: “Are you sure? I’ll get you something else. Tell me what you need. Hot dogs?”

Chuck’s mom: “Yes.”

Victor Oliveira: “OK, some bread and hot dogs.”

Heather Walker: “You’re a very giving person, aren’t you? What makes you so giving?”

Chuck Johnson: “Because when, you give a lot of stuff away, it’s going to come back to you.”

And in fact, Chuck says he was trying to help some homeless people right before he met Victor.

Chuck Johnson: “I gave two people food and gave them $10 and then it came back to me.”

Victor and Chuck share this spirit of giving. But they don’t get to see each other often, so we helped arrange a surprise visit.

Heather Walker: “When are you going to see him again?”

Chuck Johnson: “I don’t know.

Victor Oliveira: “What’s up, Chuck?”

Chuck Johnson: “What’s up?”

Millions of people have liked the TikTok videos of Chuck and Victor.

Victor Oliveira: “You said that was the best day of your life?”

Chuck Johnson: “Yeah.”

Victor Oliveira : “What about now?”

Chuck Johnson: “This is the best, best best.”

Even better, a friendship that has gone viral for all the right reasons.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

7’s Heather Walker Investigates.

Rose, mail carrier: “Back up, back up, you better back up.”

Rose: “I didn’t feel safe at this point.”

Rose started recording the minute she felt threatened in North Miami.

She asked us not to use her last name for fear of retaliation after a normal day on the job turned violent on March 6.

Rose: “Two ladies came downstairs. No one is supposed to come and take their mail or package or anything outside of those boxes while we’re delivering.”

But one woman decided to grab a package.

When Rose asked for I.D. or her mailbox key, she says the woman went off.

Rose: “They cursed me out, she charged at me while I was recording her, she got upset. She struck me in my face. She punched me in my face. That’s when my instant reflex went to go block, hit her back. I did anything that I could to defend myself.”

The police were called. In the report, it says the woman identified as Alexandra Remolien “was the primary aggressor.”

She was charged with battery.

Rose: “I had bruises on my arm. Then I noticed, like, my whole body was aching. I didn’t sleep that night because I was traumatized.”

Just when Rose thought things couldn’t get worse she learned she was being suspended from work.

A letter from her manager says she was placed on an “off-duty non-pay status” for “willfully delaying mail” and was told she can’t return to work until she gives an “investigative interview,” which has yet to be scheduled.

Rose: “It is no investigation to go on. The lady was charged with battery, I feel like everybody is like, against me, like I did something wrong. So basically, what they’re trying to tell me that I should of just stayed there, stayed on the floor, let the lady hit on me, beat on me?”

The manager here at the North Miami Post Office declined to comment.

But a spokesperson with USPS tells us that if mail carriers are ever in an altercation, they should call police, which Rose did.

Rose: “I was just doing my job. The person who went and attacked me, they’re living their life. She’s out on bond right now and I’m out without a job and that’s not fair”

She says the Post Office needs to do more to protect their workers.

Rose: “We was not taught how to defend ourselves on the street. We were taught how to defend ourselves from dogs. I also want them to be more sincere about our feelings. No one called me to ask me how I’m doing. No one cared to see my bruises, to know that I’m traumatized. They just don’t care.”

But Rose cares. It has been more than a month since she has received a paycheck and she’s going to keep fighting for her job.

Heather Walker, 7News

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

These seniors are baking up something special in Broward.

Paulette: “I don’t know how to make cookies!”

But they’re not making any ordinary cookies.

Instead, the residents at Independence Hall Retirement Community are whipping up treats for some furry friends.

Pat Andrews, resident: “We never really did anything like that before. We’re enjoying it.”

They call it Baking for Barkers.

It’s an idea cooked up by the facility’s program director, Paula.

She knew many of her residents loved animals, so she created the cooking class to play to that passion while bringing the seniors together.

Paula Reis, program director: “So that’s really my job, right? My job is coming here, programming, and that’s what makes me feel good. And I see them doing and laughing and having a great time.”

Paula pitched the idea to the people at a local animal rescue called Abandoned Pet Rescue, and they jumped at the chance to be involved.

Kara Starcyk, Abandoned Pet Rescue: “They said some of their residents were interested in baking cookies for our dogs. Being close together in the same neighborhood, we thought it was a wonderful partnership.”

Each month, the residents roll up their sleeves and roll out the dough.

The baking brings back good memories for many of them.

Pat Andrews: “It’s fun. Everybody relives when we used to bake cookies at home, and we love helping the dogs out.”

The dough is made with eggs, flour, peanut butter and pumpkin puree, which are all safe for dogs.

Pat Andrews: “And I ate one of them, and they’re good. It’s only peanut butter.”

They form the dough into bone and dog shapes, and then put them in the oven to bake.

They’re packed up in glass containers and taken to Abandoned Pet Rescue, where the residents get a chance to spend time with the dogs and the cats.

Kara Starcyk: “I know they’re bringing joy to our animals, and I’m pretty sure that the animals are bringing joy to them as well.”

It provides a sense of purpose for these seniors, and some tasty treats for the dogs.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

The past few years have been tough for veteran John Klindtworth.

Since becoming disabled while serving in the Navy, he has struggled to find good jobs.

John Klindtworth, renter: “I’ve been working just a ton of different jobs, and then, right after Thanksgiving, while I was recovering from a stroke, I got laid off from that job.”

Without steady work, money is tight, which is why he is still living in this Fort Lauderdale apartment where the roof is crumbling.

John Klindtworth: “This whole part of the roof just came crashing down, and you can see severe termite damage.”

Heather Walker: “Wow. I mean, this whole beam’s gone.”

John Klindtworth: “Yeah.”

Heather Walker: “And how long has it been like this?”

John Klindtworth: “Since October of 2022.”

We spotted holes in the roof on the other side of the building.

John said it has allowed all kinds of pests to move in.

John Klindtworth: “Termites, roaches, any number of pests to get in. The person who was in this apartment right here, number four, moved out because it got so bad. I finally decided, ‘That’s it.’ I called code enforcement. ‘This building is on the verge of being declared uninhabitable.'”

John thought the apartment would be safe because the South Florida VA helped him find it.

John Klindtworth: “I suffer from [post-traumatic stress disorder], and to constantly have to deal with this is just unnerving.”

John has repeatedly asked his landlord to repair the damage. But so far, he says, it’s only caused him more problems.

John Klindtworth: “And I’ve been labeled as a complainer and an agitator because I want something to get done, and I’ve gone all the way up the chain of command, to the state office of the agency that manages this building.”

Property records show the building is owned by Volunteers of America. It’s a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and support services for veterans, seniors and families.

John says his calls for help have gone unanswered.

John Klindtworth: “Every time I say, ‘Oh, there’s a maintenance emergency,’ this or that, they’ll say, ‘Well, we’ve got properties down in Miami that have emergencies that we have to deal with.’ Well, OK, is this missing half a roof not an emergency?”

We called Volunteers of America’s Florida office.

No one would go on camera, but 7 Investigates was told the process to replace the roof has taken a long time.

Plans were drawn up in May of 2023. The permit application was submitted late last month, and it’s still waiting for final approval.

And all that waiting has taken an incredible toll on John.

John Klindtworth: “But I have to stay here, because I have no other choice right now.”

And he hopes repairs will be made soon, because he just got a new job working from home.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

This is what Eve Revivo and her family woke up to when Hamas launched their terrorist attack in October.

“My husband told me, ‘OK stay there, OK close the door, don’t talk, don’t cry,'” said Revivo.

Her 3-year-old son was so scared, he was throwing up.

“I go to my child like that,” Revivo said as she showed how she covered her son’s mouth to stop him from making any noise. “We don’t need to cry because the terrorists are outside.”

Eve was five months pregnant, huddled in a safe room with her husband, son, and in-laws in the city of Sderot, near the Gaza border.

The five of them armed with only a kitchen knife.

“What were you thinking during this time,” asked 7News’ reporter Heather Walker.

“Maybe, are we going to die, yeah, and my family, my baby, what are we going to do,” said Revivo.

For seven hours they hid until her husband decided they needed to leave, but first, he needed to get gas for the car. Waiting for him to return was the longest 10 minutes of Eve’s life.

“My, baby cry because, where, ‘where’s my dad,'” said Revivo. ‘Where is my dad?’ and we were hearing the shotguns.”

When her husband made it back, he told everyone to go grab what they could head straight to the car, and don’t look around.

“But I look and I see a lot of people, oh my God,” said Revivo. “Like, my grandfather and grandmother. Yeah and so sad and then go and cry.”

She walked past bodies to get to the car. Once inside, she used her body to protect her son from gunfire. Her husband drove south as fast as he could, but even when they arrived at a hotel, more than three hours away, they couldn’t escape the rocket attacks.

“He told me, ‘Mommy, I don’t want to stay here, I want to go home,’ but we can’t go home,” said Revivo.

It was then that she decided to leave the country and booked a flight to Miami.

“This was your only way to survive?” asked 7News’ reporter Heather Walker.

“Yeah,” said Revivo.

They landed here in Miami with nothing. They stayed with relatives but had no money, no plan, and a baby on the way.

After a couple months, Eve reached out to a local Jewish Community Center and they knew just the man to call.

“Says ‘There’s a woman here who is seven months pregnant, hasn’t seen a doctor in two months, can you maybe help?,'” said Dr. Steven Silvers from Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Silvers was eager to help.

“No one deserves to die, whether it’s someone in Gaza or someone in Israel,” said Dr. Silvers. “I said to myself, ‘How can I not take care of this woman and alleviate at least one stress in her life?'”

He started providing care at no cost and two months later, a healthy baby boy was born.

“That I could do this for her,” said Dr. Silvers. “You know, people now are saying what I wonderful thing I did. I did what was right. I helped a woman who needed help and I think it’s a lesson to all of us that when you’re given this opportunity to help someone, you do.”

It helps Eve to know that for now, her son David is safe in South Florida, away from the war.

“For my newborn and new life, not in Israel,” said Revivo.

A new life in Miami with the hope for peace in her homeland.

Heather Walker, 7News.

America has voted and South Florida’s very own Louie the Raccoon was named the 2024 Cadbury Bunny.

Louie beat out 31 other animals from across the country including a goat, mini horse, and even bearded dragons. In a March Madness-style competition, the championship round featured Louie against a rescue cat from New York named Loki.

“They definitely gave us a run for our money,” said Louie’s mom Jaime Arslan. “They were a very fierce competitor.”

Louie’s mom, Jaime Arslan, shares how she told Louie he won the title.

“I actually told Louie that he won and he proceeded to literally take the water bottle out of my hand that I was drinking and walk off with it, so he’s representing raccoons perfectly,” said Arslan.

Arslan, a former veterinarian tech, took Louie and three other raccoons into her home after it was not safe to release them back into the wild after rescuing them.

On 7Spotlight, Arslan showed her family’s unique living arrangement at their Southwest Miami-Dade home and how she is a full-time raccoon mom.

Heather Walker: “You’re a mom to four raccoons.”

Jaime Arslan: “Yes, I am a raccoon mom. Full-time.”

Part of Louie’s Instagram page, which now has over 378,000 followers, is used to educate people and change people’s perception of raccoons.

“They have this reputation for loving trash,” said Arslan. “They actually love eating fruits and vegetables, and not a lot of people know that.”

Jamie said Louie will donate the $7,000 prize money to a Florida-based wildlife rescue organization.

“For me to know that I can give back to them and help other raccoons, it just means the world to me.”

Louie will also get the chance to appear in a Cadbury TV commercial. Given his bigger-than-life personality, it seems Louie was born camera-ready.

“It’s just so neat because the commercial has been on air for nearly 40 years,” said Arslan. “So for Louis to be a part of such an iconic commercial is just amazing.”

With Louie’s TV debut, Arlsan said people will get a chance to see his well-known sense of fashion.

“In Miami, he’s kind of known as a little bit of a fashionista,” said Arslan.

Louis is the first raccoon to ever hold the Cadbury Bunny title. Louie’s mom hopes this will help create a better reputation for all raccoons.

Meet South Florida’s latest influencer.

Jaime Arslan, raccoon mom: “In Miami, he’s kind of known as a little bit of a fashionista.”

Louie the Raccoon is on a mission: to brighten social media, one viral video at a time.

Louie’s Instagram page has more than 373,000 followers.

Jaime Arslan: “That was never my intention to, like, make this raccoon influencer, but it kind of happened.”

Although Louie is a lot of fun, his story actually started with tragedy.

Jaime Arslan: “It began in 2021. My dad was in a car accident, and he passed away.”

Jaime Arslan, a former vet tech, started volunteering with a wildlife rescue to deal with her loss.

Jaime Arslan: “I took Louie under my wing, and I channeled all this grief that I had for my dad, and I put it all into taking care of him.”

Louie needed a home, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jaime has since taken in three other raccoons: Lucy, Leo and Lea.

None of them could have been safely released back into the wild.

Heather Walker: “You’re a mom to four raccoons.”

Jaime Arslan: “Yes, I am a raccoon mom. Full-time.”

The foursome live and play inside and outside the family’s Southwest Miami-Dade home.

Jaime Arslan: “This is their playroom, so they spend every night in here.”

Their playground even has swimming pools.

Heather Walker: “They have a great life.”

Jaime Arslan: “They do. They’re living the raccoon dream.”

Online, Louie is famous for his hats and hilarious antics.

While it all looks fun, owning a raccoon is serious business.

It is legal in Florida, but it requires a permit. You cannot simply take one from the wild.

Jaime Arslan: “At the end of the day, a raccoon is a wild animal.”

Part of Louie’s Instagram page is used to educate people and change the perception of raccoons.

Jaime Arslan: “They have this reputation for loving trash. They actually love eating fruits and vegetables, and not a lot of people know that.”

Another myth is that all raccoons have rabies. They don’t. In fact, they can get rabies from other animals.

Not only does Louie enlighten people about raccoons, he also encourages followers around the world.

Jaime Arslan: “A lot of people say that Louie inspires them to feel good about themselves because Louie is kind of curvy, so he’s very body positive.”

Even social media influencers need their down time. Louie’s peaceful place is up in this tree in the family’s backyard. Jaime says he spends hours up there almost every day.

Given his large and loyal following, Jaime says some companies have wanted to pay Louie to endorse their products.

Heather Walker: “You’ve had bedding companies, toy companies, cat litter companies all trying to pay a raccoon.”

Jaime Arslan: “Yes.”

But Jaime prefers to pay it forward. All of the proceeds from the sale of Louie and Lucy’s paintings — yes, they paint — go to a Florida-based organization that rehabilitates injured wildlife. Giving back, just like Jaime’s dad did.

Jaime Arslan: “He would have loved to see all of this. He would have been so impressed. I feel like just as much as I saved Louie, he kind of saved me.”

Heather Walker, 7News.

Louie is also in the final round of a competition to be this year’s Cadbury Easter Bunny. He’s the first raccoon to ever enter the contest. The winner will be announced on Monday.

Watch more of Louie, Lucy, Leo and Lea 
instagram.com/louietheraccoon

Loki vs. Louie: Vote for the 2024 Cadbury Bunny
instagram.com/p/C40o6mtsUyP

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com

This is what Robert Heath woke up to in January.

Robert Heath, resident: “‘Bam,’ my back windshield is completely shattered, and it’s shattered so badly that the little tiny microscopic bits of glass [got] all into the back seat, some into the front seat.”

And over time, his car has been dinged and dented.

This damage was not caused by road debris or vandalism, but by golf balls.

Robert Heath: “These are just a few picked up in the last few months. One of these, though, broke the windshield.”

One of these also broke his neighbor’s windshield.

Nancy Taylor, resident: “I didn’t know what had happened. And two of the residents were walking by, and they said, ‘Oh, you were just hit by a golf ball.'”

Robert and Nancy live in Park Place in Pembroke Pines. The buildings in the condo complex are surrounded by this city-owned golf course.

Nancy Taylor: “The grounds are beautiful, with the exception of the hazard golf course.”

Bad swings can send golf balls flying into their community.

It’s a persistent problem, but not a new one. Just ask longtime resident Florence Hirsch.

Florence Hirsch, resident: “I’m living here 31 years. When I moved in, within the first month, the front window of my car, the back window of my car and three windows in my apartment.”

But what concerns them most is not their property, but their safety.

Florence Hirsch: “If that golf ball hits one of the people, they’ll never get up again. I do believe that. Those golf balls are coming at a hefty speed, and these people are too old to take it.”

Nancy Taylor: “I see what it did to my windshield, so I can imagine what it would do to my skull.”

Two residents say they have already had close calls.

Marcia Storm, resident: “It just missed me. I’m taking another step, and it would have hit me right in the head. Really. That’s the one time I got scared.”

Charles Heighter, resident: “It’s scary. It’s scary.”

Charles Heighter was walking with his grandchildren.

Charles Heighter: “I told them, I said, ‘Look out for golf balls.’ And right when I said that, here comes a golf ball. So, if we would have been a little further, it would have got one of us.”

We took residents’ concerns to the city, but it turns out, when a condo is surrounded by a golf course, finding a hole-in-one solution is very difficult.

Heather Walker: “What came first, the golf course or the condos?”

Christina Sorensen, Pembroke Pines Assistant City Manager: “Golf course.”

Assistant City Manager Christina Sorensen says the course was designed with larger trees and hedges. Still, she says, they can’t stop every errant golf ball.

Christina Sorensen: “Is the City of Pembroke Pines concerned about the safety of its residents? Yes. But there is an inherent risk living next to a golf course. It’s not something that we get calls about every single day. It happens every once in a blue moon.”

But residents say golf balls routinely sail into their complex, and they feel something more needs to be done.

Nancy Taylor: “I may see, at least four days a week, I’ll see a golf ball inside the community.”

Robert says he would like to see more netting installed and maintained.

Robert Heath: “It would mitigate, especially if you put it in the worst areas.”

Christina Sorensen: “I’ll commit to contacting the [homeowners association] for Park Place and just seeing if there’s anything that maybe they haven’t thought of that they can help their residents with.”

A conversation that could at least be a swing in the right direction.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Claw marks and scars from dog bites are all over King Davis’ body.

King Davis/attacked by dog: “I got bit, like up in here, in my stomach over here. And my finger is, well, one is broken.”

The 8-year-old is scarred both physically and emotionally.

King Davis: “I just feel so frightened and I start to shake a lot.”

King knocked on his neighbor’s door and when it was opened, the dog ran out and attacked.

King Davis: “I saw everybody screaming and on their phones and trying to hit the dogs off of me. It was a really scary time for me.”

His mom, Brittany, got the call while at work.

Brittany Sanguinetti / son attacked by a dog: “Couldn’t even like work my phone, my GPS, because I’m hysterically crying after seeing like on FaceTime so much blood all over the street and over the front door, the living room and stuff. Hearing him like, say to my mom, like, ‘Grandma, I don’t want to die, grandma, I don’t want to die.”

King had 11 wounds. Nine of them needed stitches and his finger was broken. This happened back in December, then two months later.

Brittany Sanguinetti: There was a muzzle order issued for the dogs. The exact day the muzzle order was issued, that’s when the dogs get out again. They chased my son and my dad from the car to the front door, like they were practically in my living room.”

A month after that, in March, the dogs were caught on camera chasing and biting a 14-year-old boy on the leg.

We reached out to the owner of the dogs.

Dog owner: “My dog is not aggressive. My dog is reacting to the nonsense that we’ve been exposed to for the last 11 months that we’ve been living here.”

The owner of the dogs says King provoked the dog attack by repeatedly banging on the door. When we asked about the second incident, when the dog was loose, the owner said he had no comment.

But King’s mom says this problem needs to be solved by the county.

Brittany Sanguinetti; it’s just really sad that it takes for another child to get bitten up. It’s just like they’re almost waiting for someone to die before they actually take action against these people.”

A Broward County spokesperson tells 7Investigates they’re aware of these dog attacks and have issued multiple citations but the dogs can’t be considered “dangerous” until the victims provide sworn statements to the county which the families say they were never told to do.

Brittany Sanguinetti: We have them on camera, we have pictures of them. What is it going to take for you guys to make these people be responsible for their dogs injuring people?”

Both victims’ families want the dogs to be labeled as dangerous. If animal control determines that’s the case, they will have to stay in one of these cages, be muzzled and microchipped.

Brittany Sanguinetti: “They’re a threat to everyone around here.”

But the threat may soon be gone because the dog owner says he’s searching for a new place to live.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Batter up. The boys at Dade Christian School are making room for Chelsea and Chloe, the first females to ever play on the school’s junior varsity baseball team.

And they’re sisters.

Chelsea Bacallao, baseball player: “She motivates me to be better and stuff because I usually like making things as a competition.”

The two have been carrying a bat since they were young. They started playing softball at 6 and 7 years old and grew into star players.

So when Dade Christian didn’t have enough girls to form a softball team, the boys’ head coach saw an opportunity.

Jorge Molleda, head coach: “I saw them practicing, and I got on top of the dad to bring them to me to play. They play very well, so the boys are on their tippy toes the whole entire time. They’re ready to rock.”

The girls were eager to play, but they had to change up their game.

Chloe Bacallao: “I’m starting to get the hang of it. It’s different. The hitting is like way harder than you would see in softball. You’re gonna be running a lot ’cause the bases are, like, big.”

Dad was nervous about putting his daughters on a field full of boys, but the jitters quickly went away.

Jesse Bacallao, father: “My key was safety on their part. Having them go out for a practice and just seeing them, you know, with the boys. I was good. They’re able to hang, and they can take care of themselves out there. It’s definitely a proud moment for me in the family, watching them out there on the field.”

Chloe covers first and second base, while Chelsea plays shortstop, one of the toughest positions.

Jorge Molleda: “They’re fearless. Every time they step out there, they have something new to add to their game. They’re fast. They’re very aware. Their hand-eye coordination is great.”

When Chelsea and Chloe played their first game, the opposing team was shocked to see girls on the field.

But coaches at Dade Christian want to see more girls play.

Jorge Molleda: “We love the gender equality. Whoever wants to play baseball is more than welcome to play.”

The sisters are happy to show that girls can shine in softball and baseball.

Chelsea Bacallao: “That’s pretty cool. Like, that just proves that girls can do anything a boy can do.”

Chloe Bacallao: “You could do anything that you put your mind into.”

And the fact that they get to do it side by side is a home run.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

Debra Davis saved money to finally buy her dream home in Broward, but it needed some work.

Debra Davis, homeowner: “We need a new roof, new windows, everything to bring it up to [Federal Emergency Management Agency] code.”

She signed up for a state program called PACE. It provides funding to make homes energy-efficient and safer from hurricanes.

Loans are paid off through a yearly assessment on a homeowner’s property taxes.

Debra was pre-approved for a loan and assigned a contractor.

Debra Davis: “The project manager visits, sees the scope of the work.”

Then a contractor comes to the house to put together a final proposal.

Debra met with Moshe Vakneen from Diaz & Russell Construction Company, but she didn’t want to work with him.

Debra Davis: “I didn’t like the way he was interacting with me.”

She told her project manager she wanted a different contractor. But before she could find someone new…

Debra Davis: “I get a text and it says, ‘I’m so-and-so from Diaz & Russell, and you signed a contract with us. If you don’t work with us, we’re going to put a notice to lien on your house.'”

Debra says she wasn’t worried.

Debra Davis: “We never signed contracts. There’s no notice of commencement. Nothing has been notarized. I’ve seen nothing at this point.”

But to be safe, she reported the company to PACE and withdrew her loan application.

Then she got a notice on her front door.

Debra Davis: “There is a notice to lien for $162,000.”

The notice said a lien would be put on Debra’s house if she didn’t pay Diaz & Russell Construction Company $162,000, the estimated cost for materials.

Debra called her project manager and found out she was also having problems with the company.

Debra Davis: “I feel like I was caught in the crossfire of whatever was happening with the project manager and the company.”

Iliana Fernandez says she handled all the PACE contracts for Diaz & Russell Construction Company.

She tells 7 Investigates that she had been having issues with her boss, Moshe Vakneen, and quit. And then, she started getting threats.

Man in video: “Iliana Fernandez is wanted by the police for stealing more than hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you see her, please contact the Aventura Police Department.”

And Iliana says the intimidation didn’t stop there.

Iliana Fernandez, former employee: “He sent me a message saying that I’m sending this video to all the clients, to everyone.”

The text messages appear to come from Moshe Vakneen.

Aventura Police say the case number on the video doesn’t belong to them.

Iliana Fernandez: “It is a fake video. I have not been wanted by any police. I don’t have any warrant on my name, and I haven’t done anything to be worried about.”

Moshe Vakneen would not speak to us on camera, but he did tell us he will drop the lien notice on Debra’s home.

The owner of Diaz & Russell Construction Company tells 7 Investigates that Moshe Vakneen no longer works for or is affiliated with the company.

Meanwhile, Debra still hopes to get her house repaired.

Debra Davis: “I’m going to hopefully find the right contractor to do the roof and the windows, and I will reapply with the PACE program.”

Putting her on pace for her American dream.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

The videos are all over social media: Fish swimming in circles

Gregg Furstenwerth, diver: “I had no idea what it was. I mean, I saw the fish spinning and I was like, ‘What is it’ and, you know, at the time I thought it was hilarious.”

But diver Gregg Furstenwerth soon realized the fish was in trouble and other fish were also struggling.

Gregg Furstenwerth: “Then that was like, ‘What do you do?’ It’s alarming and sad and depressing. Just beyond anything I’ve ever seen in my life. And I’ve been in the water a lot.”

Gregg has been diving in the keys since 2021. For the past year, he’s seen all types of fish spinning and twirling.

Gregg Furstenwerth: “I see this every day. Every single day. I can go out and see the fish struggling and spinning and dying.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission says 27 species are now affected, primarily in the lower keys from Big Pine to Key West, including the critically endangered smalltooth sawfish. Many have grounded themselves. As of last week, 20 have died.

Gregg Furstenwerth: “It’s heartbreaking sitting there watching a live grouper for 2.5 hours die. I’ll tell you that. It’s not something that anybody wants to see.”

And no one knows why it’s happening.

FWC is working with Florida Gulf Coast University and others to find answers.

Mike Parsons, marine science professor, Florida Gulf Coast University: “The typical causes would be something like red tide or low oxygen in the water. That’s not the case here.”

Mike Parsons is a marine scientist at Florida Gulf Coast. He has been studying in the Keys for 15 years. This is the first time he’s ever seen something like this.

Mike Parsons: “One interesting thing about this is so many different fishes are being affected. So that led to our hypothesis that maybe it’s something in the water maybe dissolved in the water itself.”

When fish start spinning, it usually means there is some neurological impact on the fish.

Right now the professor says their best lead on a possible cause is a microscopic algae called gambierdiscus. It’s a naturally occurring toxin that is normally harmless. But recent tests show extremely high levels in the water.

Mike Parsons: “It does remain a mystery, but we are making some progress.”

Greg says they need to move quickly before things get worse.

Gregg Furstenwerth: “Nobody knows what this is. Nobody knows how to stop it.”

Greg and scientists hope whatever the problem is, they can find a solution to save the fish.

Heather Walker, 7News.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM FWC:

Please report abnormal fish behavior, fish disease, fish kills to FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline either through the web form (MyFWC.com/ReportFishKill) or by phone (800-636-0511).
Eating fish from these areas is not advised.
Swimming where there are dead fish is not recommended.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Griselda Blanco was known as “The Black Widow” and “The Godmother.” She was responsible for creating one of the most profitable drug empires ever. Right here in Miami.

7News covered her court hearings back in the ’90s.

Judge, Sept. 1994: “Would you tell the lady, please, that she’s charged with first-degree murder?”

But until now, very few had heard of the woman who helped bring Griselda down: Metro-Dade Police Detective June Hawkins.

Actress Juliana Aidén Martinez is playing Hawkins in the Netflix series, “Griselda.”

Juliana Aidén Martinez: “I had never heard about someone from our community, a woman, protecting our community.”

Juliana now lives in Los Angeles but grew up in South Florida, and she got a chance to meet the now-retired sergeant as she prepared for her role.

Juliana Aidén Martinez: “She said, ‘A-ha, like Hialeah girl, you’re a Hialeah girl,’ and I was like, ‘You understand what that means,’ and she was like, ‘We’re going to get along great.'”

Juliana worked closely with Hawkins throughout the filming. She says it really helped because there were very few mentions of Hawkins in the news at that time.

Hawkins has stayed out of the spotlight even to this day, despite her major role in taking down Blanco.

Paul George, historian, HistoryMiami Museum: “Well, it’s amazing, because she brought down one of the biggest drug lords, you know, not only in the city, but in the area, in the whole hemisphere at that point.”

Paul George is a local historian. He says that at the time, many cops were paid off with cash and cocaine, but June stayed on the right side of the law.

Paul George: “It’s phenomenal. It’s like a cross between Saint Joan of Arc and Mother Teresa, somebody so noble as this, what was the most unlikely person to break up, to some degree, the most precocious of all the ranks.”

And it’s ironic that a single mom ended up taking down Miami’s biggest drug lord, who was also a woman.

Juliana Aidén Martinez: “It centers on this rise of these two women, saying like, ‘You’re going to respect me,’ and they rise in power, and it’s two sides of the same coin. June is an example of using your power and using your abilities to make a positive impact.”

An impact that is now being documented.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

A small home, in a big development, at the center of a Coral Gables controversy, once again.

Orlando Capote, homeowner: “Definitely trying to make my life difficult so that I will leave.”

At a recent commission meeting, Mayor Vince Lago wondered which news outlet aired the latest story about the city’s famously defiant resident.

Mayor Vince Lago: “I’m not sure which channel it was.”

It was 7News that aired a story about a “notice of intent” to put a lien on Orlando Capote’s home. He was cited for a code violation involving this decades-old carport.

Orlando Capote: “It says that I owe them over $29,000 in fines.”

The notice clearly read the amount due was a whopping $29,958. Despite that, the city told 7News that “there are no fines on the property.”

So why the letter stating there was? The city now says, it was a mistake.

Coral Gables Assistant City Attorney Gustavo Ceballos: “Code enforcement didn’t enter in our extensions. We did them through emails. We were dealing directly with their attorney and, simply, our code enforcement system didn’t.”

Mayor Lago: “Honest mistake. It’s an honest mistake. But it flew like wildfire.”

Perhaps it flew like wildfire because every chapter in the Orlando Capote saga ignites passionate response from the public. And for the past 5 years, as the largest development in the city’s history began surrounding his home, we have been there to document it.

Orlando Capote: “I am in a bad marriage with the city of Coral Gables.”

But divorce is not likely. Orlando says he’s staying put in the home his late parents bought back in 1989.

Orlando Capote: “We came to America looking for the way of life, and this is not what has been done to me.”

Which brings us back to the carport, a structure not even visible from the public street and, Orlando says, it was here years before they moved in.

Orlando Capote: “As I told them, this has survived hurricanes and all the storms in the last 34 years. So when they look at the canopy cover, they say, ‘Well, that is not an acceptable cover.'”

Emails obtained by 7 Investigates in 2023 revealed the code enforcement case started after an employee for the developer complained to the city about conditions at Orlando’s property.

Orlando Capote: “This is what bothers me. What triggered this complaint was the developer.”

Fines of $150 a day started to add up, as Orlando and his attorney tried to resolve the issue.

Orlando Capote: “The city finally said, ‘OK, you can keep this structure,’ and that’s when we start trying to get the material approved.”

This is what the carport covering looked like when we visited last summer, and this was Tuesday, the day the new, city-approved cover was installed.

Orlando Capote: “This is not the biggest issue, and yet it’s being made a huge issue by the city. It has been a long, long, frustrating experience.”

But this battle ended in victory for Orlando. The cover passed inspection on Wednesday.

As for the future…

Orlando Capote: “I don’t think this is the end. I think they are just going to keep coming after me, making my life difficult.”

The city tells us, “Our goal is to work in a cooperative manner with Mr. Capote.”

Orlando Capote: “If you believe in something, wouldn’t you battle it and fight for it?”

7News Producer: “Forever?”

Orlando Capote: “Forever.”

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Heather Walker is taking their concerns to the county in tonight’s 7 Investigates.

Faith Davis has to get up at four a.m. just to get to work by nine.

Faith Davis/bus rider: “I have to take three busses, get up like two hours extra every day just to make sure I get to work on time. I have to carry my mace with me, you know, just to make sure that, you know, I don’t get hurt.”

Faith used to have to wake up at 7 a.m. before Miami-Dade County eliminated hundreds of bus stops in November as part of the “Better Bus Network” initiative.

Faith Davis: “It was just a big disaster.”

And she’s not the only one setting early alarms.

Maurice Byrd/bus rider: “I gotta get up an hour earlier now to go to work because the buses is much crowded and it ain’t too much room on the buses.”

Angry riders have reached out to 7 Investigates since we first looked into the issue.

Barbara Walters/transit activist: “When you’ve got a situation where we only had one bus to depend on and they’ve taken that away from us. I think there should have been more input from the riding public.”

Hundreds more are taking their complaints to Facebook. And the bus driver are feeling their frustration.

Jeffery Mitchell/president, Transport Workers Union Local: “It is kind of heartbreaking.”

The Transport Workers Union agrees with riders. The new system is not working. They say it was put in place by people who don’t take the bus.

Jeffery Mitchell: “The people that made the suggestions, you know, wasn’t invested in the community. Listen, who put this together?”

Union President Jeffrey Mitchell says he helped to correct some of the proposed routes before the Better Bus Network launched. But those changes were not enough.

Heather Walker: “What happened here? Because it was supposed to make things better but it seems its made things worse.”

Linda Morris/Miami-Dade Transit: “I wouldn’t say that, I would say that it’s still was always gonna be the Better Bus Network, not the best bus network.”

The county admits there are problems and it’s aware of the complaints.

Linda Morris: “We hear you, I know it’s been very frustrating.”

But it might get better.

Miami-Dade Transit telling 7 Investigates exclusively that 25 of the 70 routes will be getting schedule changes starting next month, which means some stops that were removed will be returning.

Linda Morris: “There’s obviously areas where we we didn’t do a good job, and we acknowledge that.”

Riders like Faith hope the new changes will make her commute easier.

Faith Davis: “We’re not asking for a big change, but bring back the busses that we really needed in our neighborhoods.”

And the county says it’s working to do that.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Art is everywhere in South Florida, but some of it has a deeper meaning.

When she’s not working, or taking care of her family, you’ll find Sophia at home painting.

Her art tells a personal story.

Sophia Lacroix: “Haiti has enough sadness being shared all over the place in the media and otherwise. So, for me, I focus on the positive, because that’s the way I always coped growing up in Haiti.”

Sophia immigrated from Haiti to South Florida as a teenager.

While she never had any formal art training, she had plenty of natural talent.

Sophia Lacroix: “First year after college, I got my heart broken and threw all that energy into painting. And I realized that I had something: I had a style, and I had a voice.”

She uses that voice to remember life in Haiti, before it was devastated by natural disasters and economic and political crises

Sophia Lacroix: “I have not gone to Haiti in 40 years, and that makes me sad because it’s a beautiful place, but I’m a mom. What if something happens?”

Many of Sophia’s oil paintings are detailed, bright recreations of the local markets in her hometown and the people she would meet.

Sophia Lacroix: “Oh, my God, the straw baskets, the fresh fruits and vegetables. You see beauty. These ladies, for example. Yes, they are in the marketplace in Haiti. They don’t have much. They’re gossiping and relaxing. You can see the friendship.”

One of Sophia’s largest pieces is hanging outside of the Little Haiti Cultural Center in Miami, but you can also spot her work along one of South Florida’s busiest roads.

Sophia Lacroix: “I’m one of five artists for the City of North Miami’s ‘You Wrap Nomi.'”

A utility box on Biscayne Boulevard and 123rd Street is wrapped with Sophia’s work. Two others are a few minutes away on 125th and 135th streets.

It’s part of the city’s campaign to bring art to the public.

Sophia Lacroix: “You’ll see a utility box with a little girl with a purple dress, and then there’s another one of a Haitian tap-tap, which is a colorful taxi pickup truck, and there’s another one.”

Sophia is now working on a new way to share her love of Haiti by combining art and food.

Sophia Lacroix: “This is a piece — the onions, the Scotch bonnets, the green peppers, the parsley.”

She was awarded a grant by the Broward County Cultural Division to create a series of paintings based on traditional Haitian recipes. The series will go on display at the Hollywood branch library on May 18, which is also Haitian Flag Day.

Sophia Lacroix: “That’s a wonderful feeling. Oh, it’s so much fun.”

And it’s a new way for her to shine a light on Haitian culture in South Florida.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

Fast cars. Dangerous doughnuts. And rapid gunfire. All taking place on the streets of South Florida, as seen on social media.

These dangerous drivers put all of us at risk on the road, and that’s why officers are trying to put the brakes on them.

We rode along with the Broward Sheriff’s Office to see how these illegal meetups go down.

BSO Deputy Rockne Arguello: “All right. So we may have one.”

Moments after getting in the car, Deputy Rockne Arguello was alerted to a meetup.

Deputy Rockne Arguello: “So, basically, this is an Instagram posting. It says, ‘MainMovement Fun Run Fridays.’ It gave an address up here in Coconut Creek, where we’re at right now.”

We went there and found local police had already broken it up.

Coconut Creek Police officer: “There were a bunch of vehicles here, different make/models, mostly racing type vehicles. They dispersed without incident.”

This meetup ended peacefully, but others have not.

Shazz Brown Mendez, Taiice’s aunt: “It seems as though it just happened.”

Forty-two-year-old Taiice Davis was killed when a driver left a takeover and crashed in Miami Gardens. A 64-year-old man also died, and five others were taken to the hospital.

Taiice’s Aunt Shazz still can’t believe she’s gone.

Shazz Brown Mendez: “She’s minding her business, and this was perhaps the happiest time of her life. She just came back from a fabulous vacation.”

The driver was charged with vehicular homicide. He took a plea deal and was sentenced to a year in jail.

Heather Walker: “He’s back…”

Shazz Brown Mendez: “…on the streets. She left four kids, and the little ones, they’re going to be growing up without their mom.”

Law enforcement is trying to crack down, making more arrests and writing more tickets.

In 2023, there were 2,485 citations issued statewide. That’s up 191% from 2019, when there were 854.

But law enforcement says the penalties don’t deter racers. The same drivers get back on the road after being busted.

Deputy Rockne Arguello: “It’s kind of like the cat-and-mouse game.”

Take this man, for example. Investigators say Jose Alfredo Martinez Jr. organizes these street takeovers.

A source tells 7 Investigates that even from behind bars, he’s continuing to set up events.

A new bill being considered by state lawmakers would stiffen penalties for street racing. Second and third violations would become felonies, and fines would be increased by thousands of dollars.

Shazz Brown Mendez: “It’s not going to bring her back, but it might save lives. It might deter some people from thinking about it.”

For Shazz and police, the hope is to make the streets safer for everyone.

On Friday, the street takeover bill passed the Florida senate without opposition. Now, it moves to the house. If passed, it would become a law this summer.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

7’s Heather Walker investigates.

A public park is supposed to be a place for everyone to enjoy.

Louis Moleron/plays soccer at park: “Just to come here, because, you know, it’s a relaxing time, you know. Sometimes we play one hour, two hours.”

Louis Moleron loves to play soccer.

Most Saturday mornings, he and his friends meet at Morningside Park in Miami, find an empty spot and play a pick-up game.

Louis Moleron: “Sometimes you can come here and it’s only five or 10 people.”

And sometimes, there are more.

Louis and his friends say anybody who wants to play, can join in.

But in January, someone who was not interested in playing, approached their group.

Louis Moleron: “I learned that he was the park ranger, and he said, ‘Oh, you guys cannot play here anymore.'”

The park ranger told Louis that he and his friends needed to get a permit from the City of Miami in order to keep playing at Morningside Park.

Louis Moleron: “I told him, ‘Hey, we’ve been playing here forever,’ and I’m not sure why they are asking us for a permit. Why do I need a permit, that’s a public park?!'”

Louis says the ranger told him and his friends they had to leave.

They tried to come back the following week, and were kicked out again. That’s when they were told they were no longer allowed to play here unless they paid an $80 permit fee.

Even our 7News crew was approached by a ranger.

Park workers have been shocked by the patrols.

Elvis Cruz/park volunteer: “Louis contacted me and he said that they’d been kicked out, and I was surprised.”

Elvis Cruz is a volunteer at the park. He has known Louis and his group for years and believes he knows why this is happening.

Elvis Cruz: “Lately, there has been a full time park ranger assigned, and the city’s apparently been cracking down on business operations being run in parks. And apparently, these guys kind of got swept up in that crackdown.”

According to the city’s park rules, a permit is needed for an “organized activity, program, or event on the City of Miami parks property involving more than ten (10) People…”

The city said Louis’ soccer group was organized because it was advertising, and charging people for alcohol.

Elvis Cruz: “But these guys do not charge anything, they don’t wear uniforms, it’s not organized! Anybody can come and play.”

Louis and Elvis tried to clear up the confusion with the city.

After 7 Investigates started asking questions, the city told us it had mistaken Louis’ group for another one.

Elvis Cruz: “There’s a group that had a meetup.com website, and they were asking for money, they were drinking beer afterwards. It was somewhat organized.”

The city now says “the Saturday morning pickup group is welcome to use the field as they have, but we will continue to monitor their use and online sites to determine if any commercial activity or vending warrants a permit.”

Elvis Cruz: “That’s wonderful news. I’m glad the city saw the light and that these guys can continue enjoying the park.”

While Louis is cleared to play, he’s not sure if his group will actually feel welcomed.

Louis Moleron: “I think I will still feel under the micro, I mean, we just try to enjoy ourselves, especially on a Saturday morning, but hey, I’m happy with the result.”

And happy he can still “kick it” with his friends.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Oseas De Leon has worked at Miami Lighthouse for the Blind for 17 years.

Oseas teaches technology to his blind and visually impaired students, who may struggle to navigate a complex world.

Oseas De Leon: “So when they come here to the center, they are in shock because their life changed drastically, and I love giving them hope.”

Oseas lost his eyesight at 3 years old from a viral infection.

Oseas De Leon: “I don’t remember anything; to me, it’s as if I was born blind. I don’t remember any visuals, not even in my dreams.”

But what Oseas does remember from his childhood is his love for what the world calls “the beautiful game.”

Oseas De Leon: “My friends who were blind, they played soccer, and I learned to play soccer with them.”

Now, at age 45, Oseas is working to kick-start his childhood passion into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Oseas De Leon: “I love the competition. I love the experience.”

He is among a group of athletes from across the country who all share one goal. They’re competing for a chance to make the USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team.

Oseas De Leon: “My goal right now is to make it to the team.”

If you’re wondering how Oseas and the other blind athletes are able to play soccer without seeing the ball or the goal, Oseas has answered that question a lot.

Oseas De Leon: “My students, a lot of them are newly blind, and they’re like, ‘How are you going to run? How are you going to score a goal accurately? How are you going to do it?'”

They “do it” based on what they hear.

The ball itself has rattles inside, and verbal communication between players on the field is a key to this game.

Oseas De Leon: “If I want to go around you, and you’re my opponent, you have to say the word ‘voy’, which means ‘coming’ in Spanish. If you don’t say ‘voy,’ your team gets penalized, because if you don’t say ‘voy,’ I don’t have a way to tell where you are and there’s easily a collision.”

To make sure nobody has an unfair advantage, they must wear eye shades, because some players can perceive light.

The goalkeepers are not blind, and they, along with the coaches, help with verbal commands.

Unlike traditional soccer, fans must remain quiet, expect when a goal is scored.

Molly Quinn, CEO of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, says the Blind Soccer National Team just started a year ago.

Molly Quinn: “This is a great opportunity for [Major League Soccer] teams, Inter Miami especially, to be able to look at how can they bring some resources in order to provide some more activities for folks who have maybe never had a chance to play the sport of soccer.”

2028 will mark the first time the USA Blind Soccer Men’s National Team competes in the Paralympic Games, and Oseas is working hard to make that team.

Oseas De Leon: “That would be amazing. That would be great.”

But no matter what happens, his passion for helping others means he’s already won.

Heather Walker, 7 News.

This year’s national team is set to be announced in the spring, and we’ll let you know if Oseas makes it.

For more information about the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes, click here.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

Eighty-two-year-old Gloria Usheroff has a bad heart and a hard time talking after suffering a stroke. But she doesn’t let that slow her down.

Gloria Usheroff, resident: “I want to go to bingo, and I can’t.”

Gloria lives at the Five Star Premier Residences in Hollywood. It’s a sprawling senior living apartment complex which boasts about having live entertainment, art classes and movie nights.

But Gloria, who lives on the fourth floor, has a hard time getting to any of those activities, because her elevator is broken.

Carol Flynn, Gloria’s sister: “Since April, when we had that big flood. The one that she depends on, water got into the bottom and ruined an electrical part.”

Gloria’s sister Carol says, while there are elevators working in the building, they are too far away for Gloria.

Carol Flynn: “With the short distance of the walking that she does, her breathing is so labored. She has to stop along the way, catch her breath and keep going.”

And since she eats in the community dining room, she has to make that trek at least twice a day.

Carol Flynn: “They have raised her rent over $700 since the elevator has been down. You don’t raise someone’s rent when they’re being inconvenienced like that.”

Carol says she has been in constant contact with building managers for almost a year.

Carol Flynn: “I have over 35 to 40 emails back and forth about the elevator.”

First, she was told there weren’t any parts because of COVID. Then, that the elevator would be fixed in November.

Now, three months later, the manager told her they’re waiting on an inspection from the county.

Carol Flynn: “I don’t know what to believe anymore. One hand, he’s telling me he’s got a two-week window and it’s going to be up and running. Next text, nothing. No inspection, not even a date now.”

A county spokesperson tells us they did inspect one elevator earlier this month, but it failed because of several violations. After we reached out, the county also discovered that the working elevators did not have the proper safety certifications, which for Carol, is the worst news for her sister.

Carol Flynn: “It just annoys me because I would move her in a heartbeat, Heather. But being she has aphasia and cannot communicate, it’s hard for her to make friends.”

We went to management to find out when the elevator would be fixed. They told us to contact the corporate office.

Days later, a spokesperson told 7 Investigates, the elevator near Gloria’s apartment was fixed, inspected and fully functional.

Carol Flynn: “And without you, what would we do?

Gloria Usheroff : “Right.”

Carol Flynn: “We owe you a ton of gratitude. Thank you so, so much for putting her smile back on her face.”

Now Gloria can once again enjoy all the activities with her friends.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Social media started out as a fun way for people to connect with friends but now, parents say it’s destroying their children’s lives.

Some traveling to Washington D.C to confront social app CEOs in a hearing before Congress.

U.S Senator: “Have you apologized to the victims?”

Other parents want to sue for what has happened to their children.

Jennifer Biggs/parent: “She had been doing some content on TikTok and she was being bullied.”

Jennifer Biggs says her 13-year-old daughter’s posts on TikTok turned her into a target.

Jennifer Biggs/parent: “There was one adult in particular that told her to kill herself. She became withdrawn, and depressed, wouldn’t talk really, wouldn’t do any social events with her friends. Starting cutting. I cut off TikTok from her life.”

Jennifer wants TikTok to take responsibility for what happened to her daughter.

Jennifer Biggs/parent: “Please care about our children. Our children are what matter the most. Care about their content so that there’s no more harm done.”

She looked into taking TikTok to court for not blocking content that could be dangerous to kids. But like other parents, she discovered it’s difficult.

Kelvin Goode/Claims Hero: “They would try to bring the suit in court and realize that, no, that’s not allowed.”

Attorney Kelvin Goode says under TikTok’s terms and conditions, users who want to sue have to first go through arbitration and you need a lawyer for that.

Kelvin Goode/Claims Hero: “These lawyers want to charge them by the hour. It was something that they couldn’t afford.”

You can only proceed to court if there is no agreement during arbitration. But there’s another hurdle. You have to hire a lawyer licensed to practice in California because, in the fine print, TikTok says that’s the only state where you can file.

Kelvin Goode/Claims Hero: “So imagine you’re in Florida and you have a claim against TikTok. You have to travel all the way to California to find a lawyer, all the way in California, to represent you.”

Goode has heard from thousands of families who want to take on social media giants. So he created a website called “Claims Hero.” It links parents with legal resources.

Kelvin Goode/Claims Hero: “Kids are in a mental health crisis right now. So I had to take action.”

Claims Hero isn’t a law firm and it doesn’t offer legal advice. But it does help people communicate with lawyers and navigate the arbitration process. So far, more than 6,000 families across the country have signed up.

Kelvin Goode/Claims Hero: “We’re getting hundreds of submissions a day of parents all saying like, the same thing: Their kids are addicted to this app.”

Right now claims Hero is focusing on TikTok but Goode says they intend to expand to other social media apps.

Kelvin Goode/Claims Hero: “I think parents are realizing that they can fight back, right? I think that we make it easy for them to fight back.”

Goode hopes that by helping parents fight back, the end result will be a safer online experience for all children.

Heather Walker, 7News.

For More Information:
ClaimsHero

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

James Lindsay decided to combine his love for snacks and rap to create Rap Snacks.

From food fanatics to rappers, the snacks are a big hit, and James is thrilled his passion turned to profit.

Heather Walker: “It’s a very popular snack.”

James Lindsay: “Absolutely.”

Heather Walker: “And it didn’t start that way, though.”

James Lindsay: “Not at all. Not at all.”

James started Rap Snacks nearly 30 years ago.

James Lindsay: “I was, you know, really a young kid in the city of Philadelphia. I love snacking.”

Like most kid, he had his favorites, but for him, something was missing.

James Lindsay: “A lot of these brands were this regular potato chips. They were just brands that was kind of boring. And I had a love for snacking, but also love for the hip-hop music.”

He knew he could make a better chip that would appeal to young people like himself.

James Lindsay: “I found a company called Nibble with Gibble’s, and I called up, you know, asked to get in touch with the president at the time, and he was like a 65-year-old white man that knew nothing about rap music. He just told me, ‘Hey, Jim, I don’t know anything about rap music, but I love the idea.'”

Together, they created uniquely flavored chips.

James Lindsay: “I came up with Rap Snacks, and the rest is history.”

James had to raise $40,000 to make his first batch of 800 cases. He sold out in two hours.

James Lindsay: “I was thinking that, ‘I got something.'”

He started with two flavors and a cartoon on the bag.

Today, pictures of rap stars like Rick Ross, Lil Baby and Snoop Dogg, have replaced the cartoon, and the snacks are even featured in a rap song by the group Migos.

The company has gone global, with Rap Snacks being sold in Canada and Europe.

Here in the U.S., you can find them in grocery stores, convenience stores, even gas stations. And they now come in 45 flavors.

James Lindsay: “We put everything that gumbo has in a potato chip.”

Rap legend Master P is now involved in the business, which employees more than 100 people.

Master P: “People don’t realize that how tough it is as African Americans to be able to be in this businesses and in this lane.”

More than 90% of their workforce is Black.

Master P: “It’s all about being able to help so many different other people, but what’s going on with Rap Snacks now, from trucking, to opportunities, to salespeople, to marketing people, so it’s a blessing.”

A blessing that began with one man following his passion.

James Lindsay: “Find your passion. It may become something that becomes your occupation.”

And if you’re lucky, your occupation helps to change people’s lives.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

Sgt. Jahmaar Williams/2019: “You miss out on the first step, first words, very first moments of everything.”

This was staff sergeant Jahmaar Williams in 2019, holding his son before being deployed overseas.

Sgt. Jahmaar Williams/2019: “Not being there when he cries, not being there when he’s hungry, just the simple stuff.”

Five years later, the 32-year-old is now being cared for by his mother, Eleska Moore.

Eleska Moore/mother: “He’s not able to walk. He’s not able to talk. He’s not able to go to the bathroom. He’s not able to bathe himself. I have to brush his teeth. My son is 6’1. So can you imagine having a newborn baby that’s 6’1? That’s how it’s like.”

Eleska spoke with us from her home near Houston, where she brought Jahmaar to live.

Eleska Moore: “For me and my family, it has been a nightmare that you’re just not able to wake up from.”

Last year, on March 4, Jahmaar was trying to walk across Pembroke Road in Miramar, when he was hit, the driver took off.

Days later, his family pleaded for help from the public.

Eleska Moore/March 2023: “I’m asking any of you that know anything just to come forward.”

Jahmaar, a 12-year member of the Army National Guard was in a coma and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Eleska Moore/March 2023: “My son is full of life and to see him not be able to move, it’s extremely hard.”

Heather Walker: “As the agonizing anniversary approaches, Eleska says Jahmaar served his country but she feels he is being forgotten at a time that he needs support the most.”

Eleska Moore: “The first week in January, I received a knock on the door, which was a certified letter from the National Guard saying that they wanted to discharge my son.”

The letter says the reason for the “honorable discharge” was his “failure to meet medical retention standards”.

Eleska Moore: “This was no fault of my son, that he’s not fit for duty. Someone hit him.”

Eleska says a discharge would mean her Jahmaar would lose certain benefits like his military insurance.

Coverage that helps pay for a mountain of medication and special nutrition that Jahmaar receives through a feeding tube.

Eleska Moore: “If he loses his insurance, I’m going to have to pay $1,500 a month for his food.”

Eleska also got bad news from the Florida Attorney General’s Office. This letter declares Jahmaar ineligible for victim’s compensation because his “conduct contributed” to his injuries. The crash report says he “failed to yield.”

Eleska Moore: “My son was the victim. He was not the problem, he was the victim.”

Seven months after the crash, police arrested Tremaine Herbert accused of hitting Jahmaar and taking off.

Tremaine Herbert/October 2023: “No comment.”

7news Reporter: “OK, nothing to his mom?”

Herbert is charged with driving on a suspended license without insurance.

Eleska Moore: “He’s out. He gets to talk. He gets to walk.”

Jahmaar’s son, Israel, is now five years old.

Eleska Moore: “And his son is still like, ‘When is my dad going to be able to talk?’ What do you tell a five year old?”

Eleska understands that Jahmaar will eventually need to be discharged from the guard, but she’s asking the military to review his case so that he can keep as many benefits as possible.

Eleska Moore: “Jahmaar was proud to be in the National Guard. He loved being in the military.”

As far as what the future holds for his recovery.

Eleska Moore: “I’m believing God to do a miracle in my son’s life. I have to believe that. Jahmaar had a smile that lit up the world. Coming up on a year, I have not seen my son smile.”

For now, she continues to keep the faith that she will one day see her son smile again.

After we contacted the Florida Attorney General’s office, they told us they would reach out to Jahmaar’s mom about him being denied victim compensation.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Man on video: “You [expletive] better stop playing with me.”

This is the video that turned a fun night out with friends into a nightmare.

Shino Aguilera: “It’s definitely scary when the person on the video says, ‘Stop playing with me,’ and it shows an automatic weapon and loading it. Yeah, I got scared.”

Shino Aguilera was at an Art Basel event when his cellphone was stolen. He got a new phone and shut down the old one, which allowed him to keep his phone number.

But as soon as his new phone was activated, the messages from the thief started. Videos and text messages.

Shino Aguilera: “‘I’m going to kill you. I’m going to kill your mother. I know where you live. You live in Miami.'”

Another text said his “whole family will get slaughtered” and even threatened to “beat and rape” him.

Shino Aguilera: “It’s more now than losing your phone. It’s bullying, it’s threatening, it’s feeling unsafe.”

The crooks wanted the stolen phone unlocked. They sent messages to Shino telling him how to do it. They even texted him a message to pull at his heartstrings.

Shino Aguilera: “I got a message like, ‘Oh, I bought this in a secondhand store for my daughter, and now we can’t open it because it’s attached to your Cloud or whatever, please.’ Begging me and make me feel sorry.”

And Shino isn’t alone.

Other victims sent 7 Investigates messages they received after their phones were stolen. They were the exact same messages Shino got, even though their phones were stolen at different locations.

Officer Mike Vega, Miami Police Department: “Thank you for bringing it to our attention.”

7 Investigates reached out to Miami PD. The department tells us that we were the first to inform them of these threats, telling us that the fact that everyone received the same messages is a good indicator that, more than likely, these threats are false.

Officer Mike Vega: “So, most of these are fake messages. They’re trying to get you to get to the number, to get the information that they’re looking for. Maybe it’s a bank account, maybe it’s just to get access to a phone that they had already stolen from you. So it’s important that you do not give them any information.”

Police say, if you get one of these threats, screenshot or screen record the message and report it to police. After you document the threats, block the number.

Shino hopes telling his story will help the next person who finds themselves on the receiving end of these terrorizing texts.

Shino Aguilera: “You lose more than just a phone. This – a lot of these things that can affect your life.”

And he hopes the cellphone companies can come up with a way to make sure thieves can’t get your information from a stolen phone.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Yorkies are one of the most popular small dog breeds. They’re known for being loyal and loving companions of their owners.

Alexandra Du Pont: “I miss him every day. I cry every day.”

Alexandra is heartbroken because she doesn’t even have a picture of her Yorkie, Bello. She got him a few years ago when her husband was dying.

Alexandra Du Pont: “My husband died of cancer. He died of esophagus cancer and I was devastated. Doctors literally prescribed me a dog like this.”

The two of them have been living on a boat in Key Biscayne. But in November, Miami Marine Patrol Officers came to the boat and said it wasn’t properly registered. When she couldn’t provide proof of registration, she was arrested, and officers tried to take her dog away from her.

Alexandra Du Pont: “I wouldn’t give the dog, but they put handcuffs on me. I was screaming ‘you cannot take my dog, this is not just a dog. This is my therapy dog. They just walked away with the dog!”

Alexandra was arrested and taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Officers took Bello to Miami Dade Animal Services. After spending 12 days in jail, Alexandra was released and went to get her dog. But Bello was gone.

Heather Walker: “Where is the dog now?”

Gabriella Dominguez/Miami Dade Animal Services: “The dog was put up for adoption and it was successfully adopted about two days after the adoption hold was up.”

According to county policy, when someone is arrested, their dog is held for three business days. If no one comes to pick them up, they are put up for adoption. Bello did have a microchip but it wasn’t registered.

Gabriella Dominguez/Miami Dade Animal Services: “So having a microchip that’s not registered is like not having a microchip at all. This person didn’t have anybody to refer to or to have come by and pick up the dog.”

Animal Services says it tried to convince the adopter to return the dog and so did Alexandra.

Alexandra Du Pont: “She refused everything. She hung up on me.”

Alexandra even offered to buy a similar dog in exchange for Bello but was again told no.

“I’m miserable without him, I really am, I really am.”

Still she remains hopeful that the new owner will have a change of heart and give her Bello back.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

A celebration after a selfless act saves a life. Months earlier, no one was sure this day would come.

Bruno Ferretti, received kidney donation: “‘OK, you need to go to the hospital immediately. Something’s very wrong with you.’ I was at that point, I was already at Stage 4 chronic kidney disease.”

Bruno first shared his story with us back in November. At 35, he was in the late stages of kidney disease, afraid he would not get to watch his son grow up.

But then his neighbor, Miami-Dade Firefighter Chris Staton, came to the rescue and offered to donate his kidney.

Chris Staton, donated kidney: “I love the guy. I love his wife. I love his kid. I could never live with myself if he had to do three years of dialysis and may never get a kidney. That’s just not a question.”

Chris and Bruno walked into the Cleveland Clinic side by side, and walked out after successful surgery.

Now, two months later, Bruno feels like a new man.

Bruno Ferretti: “I feel lighter. It’s almost like my blood was made of molasses before, and now it’s just normal. I was at the point where it was difficult, because I barely had the energy to stand up and hold up my son, whereas now, you know, I pick him up, I play with him.”

Which is exactly what Chris wanted.

Chris Staton: “He’s been in a very positive mood. He’s extremely happy.”

Bruno says he owes everything to his neighbor.

Bruno Ferretti: “Chris is our hero. He’s absolutely our hero. We could never thank him enough. We’re blood brothers now, literally.”

The one downside for Chris is that in order to save his neighbor, he had to use up all of his paid time off, not just for the surgery, but to recover.

Now, his mission is to change that.

Chris Staton: “So what we’re trying to do, anybody that is a employee of Dade County and they donate an organ, they’re not going to have to burn through all that time that they saved up. If that is no longer in the back of your mind, that you’re going to lose all the time that you’ve worked for, it makes that decision to donate and save somebody’s life a lot easier.”

His proposal is on Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s desk.

Meanwhile, Bruno wants everyone to be aware how dangerous kidney disease can be.

Bruno Ferretti: “They say that high blood pressure causes kidney failure, and kidney failure causes high blood pressure. So, if by some chance, you know, anyone out there who might have hypertension or might have kidney issues, make sure that you speak to a nephrologist and not, you know, just your general normal doctor or anything like that.”

Thankfully, Bruno had the right doctor and the very best neighbor.

Heather Walker, 7News.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com

This is the Marian Sanchez Cuevas who people know and love.

Gabriel Varona, friend: “The person who would bring in the energy the second she came storming through that door was her.”

An energetic, athletic, outgoing 26-year-old, who graduated from Florida International University in 2022 with a master’s degree in finance.

Sahily Cuevas, mother: “Happy, she always was happy. The daughter that everybody wants to have.”

We spoke to Marian’s parents, Sahily and Eric, outside Jackson Memorial Hospital. It’s where they have spent countless hours at their daughter’s bedside for the past four months.

Eric Sanchez, father (translation): “Destroyed. I don’t have words to describe it.”

Sahily Cuevas: “The last four months, for us and the family, like, destructive. We don’t have life. Our life finished on September 24th.”

September 24th, 2023.

911 Caller: “A motorcyclist and his passenger just never made the turn, and just kept going straight, and they have slammed into the wall. They are both unconscious.”

Marian was the passenger.

Gwen Grayson, neighbor: “The motorcycle, you can see where it hit the tree there. The motorcycle went straight through these two signs.”

According to the crash report, a witness described the driver going “at a high rate of speed,” running a stop sign before hitting a curb in this Coconut Grove neighborhood.

911 Operator: “The police and the ambulance are on the way. They’re coming as fast as they can.”

911 Caller: “Listen, you’re not seeing what I saw, and you didn’t hear what I heard. This is bad.”

And it was bad. Marian had a portion of her skull removed to relieve pressure on her brain and was put in a medically-induced coma.

She has undergone 10 surgeries. Part of her leg was amputated, and she is not able to speak.

Sahily Cuevas: “I never heard in four months the word ‘mother,’ so imagine how we’re feeling.”

Marian’s friends and family are devastated, but they’re also determined to push the Miami Police Department for answers. They say the case has not been investigated properly, starting with the fact that the driver was never given a DUI test.

Gabriel Varona: “He was never tested at all, supposedly. That makes zero sense to me.”

Police listed Nicolas Araujo as the driver of the motorcycle. He is a rookie Miami-Dade County firefighter/EMT who was not on duty at the time.

The 28-year-old was injured but recovered — seen in a fire department video shopping for Christmas presents with children. Two months earlier, on the day of the crash, he was tailgating with a group of friends before the Dolphins game. In a picture with Marian, both had drinks in their hands.

Sahily Cuevas: “We have proof that they were drinking. It’s not fair. They were drinking. We have a lot of people that were in the tailgate.”

Marian’s close friend, who asked we not show her face, was at that tailgate.

Friend: “That morning, he was drinking, as was I. I can’t really speak on how much he was drinking, but I do know for a fact he was drinking socially.”

After the game, the group was driven in a rented van to a bar in Coconut Grove. Araujo rode his motorcycle there. He gave another woman a ride first, as she recorded on her cellphone.

Woman: “Another stop sign.”

You hear her say, “Another stop sign.”

Eric Sanchez, father (translation): “They can see in the background the speed he was going at that moment. How he ran through the stops.”

Marian got on his motorcycle just minutes later, and that’s when the crash happened. She and Araujo were both taken to the Ryder Trauma Center.

The family wants to know why he was not tested for alcohol.

Sahily Cuevas: “From my point of view, they didn’t investigate. They didn’t investigate.”

Miami Police tells 7 Investigates “…there was no physical evidence at the scene that indicated the driver was impaired, and “…they did not have any probable cause to ask for, or evidence, to obtain a warrant for a blood draw.”

We asked the department what else was done to investigate the circumstances that day. After we started asking questions, Marian’s parents were notified the detective wants to meet with them.

As they wait for answers, they also wait to see if Marian will ever recover.

Sahily Cuevas: “Only God, because she has too many damage in her brain. So, only God.”

So, for now, family and friends will continue to be Marian’s voice — because she doesn’t have one.

Marian is currently at JMH’s Rehabilitation Center, where they’re working to help her regain her ability to recognize people. Meanwhile, 7 Investigates will continue to push Miami Police for answers on this case.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

When you look down this Richmond Heights street, you see manicured lawns, flowers, fence and then, there’s this.

Linda Irby/neighbor: “Man, this thing is scary. Really scary”

Linda Irby lives next door and says the lot has grown out of control. The grass is taller than her grandson.

Linda Irby: “You don’t know what’s in there.”

Some of the weeds, even taller than her house.

Linda Irby: “Might be a human in there.”

Tim Smith lives across the street. He says the overgrown property is attracting unwanted attention.

Tim Smith/neighbor: “You’ll get cars parked here all hours of the day and night.”

Tim and Linda say the lot has been like this for about four years.

Tim Smith: “To have people throwing their garbage here because nobody lives here. That’s kind of insulting.”

7 Investigates found more than a dozen code violations spanning nearly two decades. Neighbors pleaded with the county to clean up the eyesore, but neither the county nor the neighbors could find the owner.

Tim Smith: “Their only response is to bring out the little wooden stick and put a notice on it.”

Days after 7News contacted the county, the lot was cleared.

Linda Irby: “I’m glad. I appreciate y’all. Thank you very much. Y’all make the news good.”

Even though Miami-Dade County crews cleared the land, the person who owns it, is still on the hook for the code violations. We wanted to get to the bottom of this growing problem, so we did a quick search of property records.

We found multiple addresses and after a few door knocks, we found the owner.

Heather Walker: “Hi, are you Ms. Harris? Heather Walker with 7 Investigates. We’re here about your property in Richmond Heights, it was overgrown. Are you aware of this?”

Harris: “No.”

Heather Walker: “OK. Has the county contacted you at all?”

Harris: “No.”

Harris: “I’mma have it taken care of right now.”

The owner says she paid somebody to take care of the lot, but now that she knows the work hasn’t been done, she’s on it. We shared the news with Linda.

Heather Walker: “Well we found her.”

Linda Irby: “That’s good! Thank y’all very much! Haha! Very much!”

Linda says she feels safer now. She’s also relieved we were able to get to the root of the problem.

Heather walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

Home sweet home!

Matthew Pigatt: “It’s great. I’m so happy to be home. It is awesome. We’re able to have space to play, to eat. It’s in a welcoming community.”

It’s all smiles in Matthew Pigatt’s house. He was able to afford a house in Miami Gardens that’s big enough for his family of four without leaving South Florida.

Matthew Pigatt: “We were looking for further north in Central Florida and also in Georgia. Not only do you have the housing prices going up, you have interest rates going up and also the insurance costs.”

Their story is like many others here. Surging home prices have people thinking about leaving the Sunshine State, but Matthew found help in Miami-Dade that’s made his dream of a bigger home possible.

Zachary Rinkins, Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust: “The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust Homeownership Assistance Program has a simple message for the residents out here in Miami-Dade County: your home ownership dreams are possible.”

The Homeownership Assistance Program is helping low-to-moderate income residents buy a home in Miami-Dade County, giving people a zero-interest loan of up to $28,500 that can be used toward a down payment and closing costs, making it easier to qualify for a mortgage.

Zachary Rinkins: “This program makes the dream of home ownership possible for a lot of people. You can use this resource and stack it with other grants to make your home purchase cheaper. You can also leverage it to make your financing cheaper, so it makes you have smaller payments for your mortgage.”

More than 8,000 people have purchased a home through this program in Miami-Dade County. In addition to help with the loan, there’s also a support system to help you through the process.

Zachary Rinkins: “Once you come to our program, you have to be connected to a Housing and Urban Development certified counseling agency. The people that were connected to the support systems were more likely to be aware of that funding and apply for that funding and keep their homes.”

That support system helped Matthew navigate through his home-buying process.

Matthew Pigatt: “It was a very welcoming process. The staff there is amazing, and I encourage anyone to take full advantage of the program, because the resources are there for you.”

Resources that can make the American dream of home ownership become a reality for you.

Heather Walker, 7News.

To find out if you qualify for the homeownership assistance program, click here.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.

James Haddad, condo owner: “To your left is #20, and to your right is #21.”

Now boarded up and fenced in, it’s a building James Haddad cherished for 21 years of his life.

James Haddad: “There’s a lot of memories here. I raised my 23-year-old kid here.”

He owns two units at the Villa Bianca Condominium in Coral Springs. But back in 2021, he and other residents were forced to pick up and leave.

James Haddad: “The city came in, and they said, ‘You didn’t fix the roof, we gave you two years, therefore we’re kicking everybody out.'”

Since then, Haddad has been moving from place to place and forced to spend some nights in his car.

James Haddad: “I wouldn’t call myself homeless, but I would say I was pretty close to it. It’s like a nightmare.”

The building’s owners did try to repair the roof.

James Haddad: “We had a plan. The roofing company wanted 10% just to get started. Everybody gave me checks but the one person.”

They attempted to get a loan for the total cost of the roof, but couldn’t, and that was the last straw for city officials.

James Haddad: “The city is talking demolition and has voted unanimously to demolish the building.”

Haddad and the other owners hoped they could recoup some of their investments by selling the building before it was torn down.

James Haddad: “‘We demolish it, and you walk out with nothing.’ That’s 20 years of payments I made.”

So they hired realtor Holly Iannucci. She found buyers who were interested but hit a wall with the city.

Holly Iannucci: “A buyer can’t close on a property that’s going to be demolished. The city has been unresponsive and just continues to say that we’ve already passed the appeal deadline, and there’s nothing that they can do.”

7 Investigates reached out to the city. They tell us they gave the building three extensions through the Unsafe Structures Board, and since the condo failed to make the changes within the time frame , the city says it is moving forward with tearing down the building.

Still, the owners are hoping for a last-minute resolution.

Holly Iannucci: “These are hardworking, middle class Americans. I would just ask that the City of Coral Springs have compassion for the owners and just give us a limited window to stop the demolition and close. We only need about two weeks. That’s all we’re asking for.”

James is not sure how he will support himself if the building is demolished. But Holly says she’s not done fighting.

Heather Walker 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

7’s Heather Walker investigates.

Life can be difficult for a person living with autism. But Tricia Anderson says things have gotten worse for her son, Melvin.

Tricia Anderson: “My son, he’s 31. He has autism, so he’s thinking more like an 11 or 12 year old.”

Melvin works as a waiter.

Tricia helped him get a money network prepaid debit card so he could deposit his paycheck. She thought it would be safer than him carrying cash, but it turned out it was not.

Tricia Anderson: “I was angry. You have to do so much for the money you work for. It’s not given, he worked for that!”

Melvin’s card got hacked. Police believe it was cloned when he ran it through a card reader.

Unfortunately, Tricia didn’t realize what had happened until the money was gone.

Tricia Anderson: “He was trying to use the card to purchase gas one day and it said declined. I just could not believe that someone would actually charge almost $1,600 dollars!”

From May until September, there were 81 transactions on Melvin’s account totaling $1,533 dollars.

Most were for public storage facilities, Lyft rides and subscription websites. Tricia disputed the charges with money network.

Tricia Anderson: “They said give it two weeks and I called back and I was told, ‘Oh, it was denied.'”

She was told too much time had passed since the charges first began.

Tricia Anderson: “The manager told me that if I would have notified them within 48 hours, they could guarantee they could get the money back. But now there’s no guarantee.”

Money Network has a policy posted online that says users must contact the company within 60 days after discovering a problem, not 48 hours after it happens.

Tricia Anderson: “And I just keep getting the runaround over and over, and over from September until now. I’m still getting the runaround now.”

7 Investigates contacted Money Network’s parent company, Fiserv, Inc.

A representative told us in December he would look into the case. After waiting weeks for a response, Money Network tells 7 Investigates “We have reviewed this case and the disputed charges will be credited to the cardholder’s account.”

Tricia Anderson: “Now, that money really came in handy, because his car needs fixed and it’s going towards his car.”

Tricia now plans on keeping a closer eye over her son’s account as well as teaching him to keep his money safe.

Tricia Anderson: “Constantly check your card, and what I do now, is lock the card, until I’m ready to use it!”

She hopes this will be an important lesson learned for not just Melvin, but for herself as well.

Heather Walker, 7News.

CONTACT 7 INVESTIGATES:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
7Investigates@wsvn.com

The teen’s musical journey shines in today’s 7Spotlight. Here’s Heather Walker.

Thirteen-year-old Chris Rocha has been playing piano for about two-thirds of his life.

Chris Rocha: “My mom introduced me to the piano when I was 4 years old. So she would put stickers on the key notes that I would remember.”

Chris started taking formal lessons when he was 7, and with more practice, came more confidence.

Chris Rocha: “As time went along, and I participated in more competitions and concerts, it would become more easier for me to handle the stage fright.”

Now, he has plenty of performances under his belt — showcasing his merry musical chops at the Christmas tree lighting in Coral Gables and drawing onlookers with his impromptu international performance inside Rome’s airport.

Chris Rocha: “All of those are good experiences. But my favorite one is the one at Carnegie Hall because Carnegie Hall is a beautiful place that not everybody gets a chance to play there.”

Yes, the Carnegie Hall, in New York City. One of the most famous concert venues in the world.

In November, Chris found out he was a first prize winner of the “Golden Classical Music Awards” international competition.

Chris Rocha: “I was just jumping up and down, up and down. I was so excited.”

“Excited,” because that meant a trip to the Big Apple with his parents in December, and a chance to play in the winners’ concert along with other talented young musicians from across the country and around the world.

It was time for Chris, dressed in a tuxedo, to take center stage.

Chris Rocha: “It’s a song that requires preparation, but it was a song that I knew from the top of my head.”

Chris Rocha: “There were some parts that were powerful like, ‘bah, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah, bah,’ but then some would be romantic.”

His two-minute performance struck just the right chord.

Chris Rocha: “Hopefully, I inspired the right feelings to other people, but I think I did, because a lot of people congratulated me and said, ‘Good job, random kid.'”

Chris usually practices six days a week, but only after the seventh grader finishes his homework and plays basketball. As for the future, whether his piano playing passion turns into a profession, remains to be seen.

Heather Walker, 7News.

To watch more of Chris Rocha’s performances, click here.

If you know of a person, place or group that you think we should highlight, email us at 7spotlight@wsvn.com.