Lauren Dickason, who has been convicted of triple murder, has written a letter to express gratitude to her supporters.
She is currently being held in the forensic psychiatric unit and thanks them for their love and support.
The 42-year-old confessed that she sleeps with soft toy bears, which are made from the clothing of her daughters who she suffocated to death in their Timaru residence in 2021.
After a five-week trial, Dickason was found guilty of murdering Liané, who was 6 years old, as well as twins Maya and Karla, who were both 2 years old, in August.
Dickason, who had recently moved to New Zealand, suffocated the children to death a few weeks later when his attempt to strangle them individually with cable ties failed.
Dickason confessed to the murder of the children, yet entered a plea of not guilty to three charges of murder, citing insanity or infanticide as a defense.
She insisted that she was mentally disturbed during the time of the offense to the extent that she could not be fully accountable.
However, following the presentation of extensive evidence from Dickason, her family, and several experts, a jury reached the verdict of finding Dickason guilty of the murders of all three children.
Justice Cameron Mander will sentence Dickason to three life sentences on December 19, which will be served concurrently.
In Maceió, Brazil, a woman died after consuming chocolate given to her by a palm reader. The incident has perplexed investigators and devastated the victim’s family.
Fernanda Silva Valoz da Cruz Pinto, a 27-year-old mother, was strolling through the city center of Maceió, a well-known haven for fortune tellers, on August 3rd. An elderly woman approached her and offered to read her palm. Pinto had only a few days to live, according to the palm reader, who gave her a piece of packaged chocolate as a farewell gift.
Pinto ate the chocolate, unaware of any danger. Soon after, she began to have severe health problems, such as vomiting, dizziness, and blurred vision. Despite being taken to the hospital, her condition deteriorated, and she died the next day.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced the arrest of 31-year-old Ariana Lauifi for assaulting 13-year-old Kassidy Jones at McDonalds on September 6th, 2023.
Lauifi reportedly attacked Kassidy Jones, who’s in eighth grade after she made eye contact with her after leaving the restroom. This led to the viral video of people watching the woman manhandle a child.
The viral video of the attack in McDonald’s led to investigators receiving numerous leads, ultimately assisting detectives in positively identifying Ariana Lauifi.
Detectives located and arrested Ariana Lauifi (Booking #6685591) on September 28, 2023. She was later arrested on one count of 273a(a) PC, Felony Child Abuse, and her case was referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.
First Lady Jill Biden announced today The Military Children’s Corner, a new art display at the White House dedicated to our nation’s military children. As part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors, Dr. Biden is leveraging art as an educational tool to help Americans learn about the experiences of the four million military-connected children whose parents are active-duty service members, National Guard or reservists, or veterans.
“At home and abroad, I’ve met so many incredible military children. They may not wear a uniform, but they serve our country, too. During my travels, military children have frequently shared their artwork with me, offering a window into their lives,” said First Lady Jill Biden. “Inspired by their stories of kindness, ingenuity, and strength, I wanted to bring their art and talents to the White House. As visitors enjoy The Military Children’s Corner, I hope they also take a moment to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our military families.”
The inaugural display features artwork from the following military children currently at military installations Dr. Biden has engaged or visited during her time as First Lady:
Autumn, age 8, U.S. Army, Fort Moore – Columbus, GA
Paris, age 10, U.S. Army, Fort Moore – Columbus, GA
Jasmine, age 16, U.S. Marines, Air Station Iwakuni – Iwakuni, Japan
Alonna and Nadia, age 17, U.S. Navy, USS Delaware – Groton, CT
Aliyah, age 8, U.S. Navy, USS Gabrielle Giffords – San Diego, CA
Danielle, age 14, U.S. Navy, USS Gabrielle Giffords – San Diego, CA
Hannah, age 16, U.S. Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base – Knob Noster, MO
Taylor, age 19, U.S. Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base – Knob Noster, MO
Asha, age 17, U.S. Space Force, Peterson Space Force Base – Colorado Springs, CO
Patrick, age 12, National Guard, Delaware Army National Guard – New Castle, DE
Sophie, age 12, U.S. Coast Guard, Air Station Miami – Miami, FL
In addition, the inaugural display features artwork from Sesame Street’s Rosita, a 5-year-old Muppet whose dad, Ricardo, is a veteran and uses a wheelchair after being injured during his military service. The First Lady and Rosita have participated in a series of engagements over the years with Sesame Workshop to spotlight the experiences of children of military and veteran families.
The Military Children’s Corner is located in the East Colonnade and is among the first displays visitors will see when they enter the East Wing of the White House. The display case was designed to replicate the look and feel of bulletin boards commonly found in elementary schools, making this White House display welcoming to visitors of all ages. The display will be updated on a quarterly basis and feature a variety of art from military-connected children of U.S. service members around the world.
As a military mom and educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Biden has previously debuted temporary art installations at the White House to help Americans learn more about the unique experiences of our military-connected families. In April 2022, to celebrate the Month of the Military Child, Dr. Biden partnered with the Military Child Education Coalition to create a display in the East Wing featuring artwork created by military-connected children across the country and those stationed around the world. In April 2023, Dr. Biden debuted an installation inspired by a poem called “My Military Suitcase,” which featured miniature wooden suitcases designed by military and veteran children to reflect their journeys as military-connected families. Building on Dr. Biden’s previous art installations, The Military Children’s Corner provides a dedicated display at the White House to celebrate our nation’s military children all year round.
Images of The Military Children’s Corner are available via the First Lady’s social media here
Background on the First Lady’s Joining Forces Initiative
Joining Forces is Dr. Biden’s initiative to support military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. Guided by the life experiences and the perspectives voiced during in-person and virtual listening sessions with military-connected families and stakeholders, the work and priorities of Joining Force’s center on the needs of this community in the areas of Economic Opportunity; Military Child Education; and Health and Well-Being.
As First Lady, Dr. Biden has visited over 25 military installations; worked with Joining Forces partners to support over 30 events with the military-connected community; and helped coordinate the Administration’s efforts to increase and raise awareness of resources and support for military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors.
Shauntae Heard is facing backlash on social media after destroying a Georgia street performer’s piano for no apparent reason.
Andrew Hsu, the Georgia street performer whose piano was damaged, posted the viral video yesterday on his TikTok account. On the platform, the video has already received over three million views.
He begins the TikTok video by explaining that he had the worst encounter with someone while playing his piano.
“This is probably one of the worst things somebody’s probably ever done to me while street performing,” Hsu says in a voice-over.
After that, Heard appears out of nowhere and hits the piano aggressively, but the musician continues to play despite the annoyance as she walks away.
She returns later that night with a group of friends and slams her hand again on the keyboard.
This time, however, she knocks the entire instrument to the ground as a passerby yells “boo that woman!”
Heard is caught on video stealing Hsu’s tip money from that night’s performance after breaking the entire instrument.
After seeing what Hsu has been through, a good bystander gives him a big tip at the end of the video.
Did Shauntae Heard apologize?
Shauntae Heard apologized for her actions in a statement posted on her now-defunct Facebook and Instagram accounts. You can read here full statement below.
Shauntae Heard Full Statement
Andrew Hsu appears to have accepted her apology. This is shown in Danesh’s TikTok video here.
