>> reporter: kelly, normally the police ask for your help to find a suspect. this time they're reaching out to identify victims, children who w.h.o. have been sexual assaulted in a crime so disturbing, we cannot even give you the details. the scooter parked in front of this house on conmar road in essex look like a sign of children at play, but police say what happened inside this home was far from innocent fun. they say the couple living inside, john nicklas, and shannon honea were sexual abusing kids, taping the acts for child porn. >> anybody in this kind of business, we see a lot of very sick things. and this is sickening. >> reporter: it involved kids as young as 2 and as old as 13, the victims assaulted in essex and potentially courtrooms in atlanta or elsewhere. the couple have backgrounds as paramedics, at and detectives found a vast amount of prescription bottles in the basement of this home. one victim abused was

reportedly unconscious during the assault. >> disgusted. i continue believe they did that. >> reporter: neighbors say they were astounded by the news which had cops seizing dvds and computer equipment from the house. it's evidence that has led to even more questions. >> the unfortunate thing that we know is that we know we have three very young victims, and we don't know who they are. >> reporter: that's why baltimore county police are asking parents to take a good look at john nicklas and shannon honea. if there is chance your kids or someone you know has spent time with them, they want you to call. >> what is paramount is to identify the victims and make sure justice is sevenned with the people. >> reporter: if you know someone whose child may have had contact with the suspects, you can call the county's crimes against children unit. the number 410-853-3650. police simply don't know how this couple found the victims, and they need your help to get answers. as for the suspects, they're both in jail in baltimore county. nicklas is being held without jail, honea on $5 million bond. joce sterman, abc 2 news.

police in anne arundel county have arrested a north carolina man accused of impersonating a police officer. it happened saturday on burger street in odenton. police say that 48-year-old yul wells approached a man, claimed he was a police officer and was wearing a badge around his neck. the man realized it was fake and threatened to call police. at that point, the suspect took off. but his vehicle was spotted in a nearby parking lot. and tonight police are searching for a man accused of robbing a woman at the anne arundel mills mall. authority says the victim was walking to her car when the suspect pulled out a knife and took her purse. police say the suspect left the area in a brown pickup with a loud exhaust. police say they know who the man is, but will not release his name until he is arrested. anne arundel county police say several men robbed two people in a light rail station. authorities say the two 17-year- olds and a 25-year-old man have been charged with armed robbery. police are still looking for five other suspects.

the victims told police a group of about eight men stole their cell phones around midnight, saturday near the cromwell light rail system, then the suspects got away on an mta bus. a warm day today, but really not what we normally have at this time of the year. but it's feeling a little warmer than at it actually is because of the higher humidity. take a look at some of the temperatures across the region from the storm center weather net. live data from the u.s. naval academy from the gilman school mount airy christian, and murray hill middle school in laurel. everybody in the mid-50s and low 50sfor the real temperature. your forecast for the next couple hours, partly cloudy. temperatures will hold in the mid to low 80s for the next couple of hours. it will be cooler tonight. and tomorrow, yes, some more heat and more humidity roll back in. we'll tell you all about it, coming up. and because of the tough financial times, the postal service is considering closing as many as one thousand offices, including phi in the baltimore area. the post office has been struggling with the sharp

decline in mail volume as people and businesses switch to the internet for bill paying and communication. the agency is facing a nearly $7 billion potential loss this fiscal year despite a 2-cent increase in the stamps in may. now for a look at tonight's top stories. 10 people are sent to two different hospitals for carbon monoxide poisoning. it happened on the 700 block of shipp friend road in middle river. investigators determined that it was coming from hot water heaters that clogged filters. crews fixed the problem. the apartment complex is actually owned by sawyer realty. that is the same company that owns cove village town homes in essex. people living there have several cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. a man declared dead at the scene of a shooting is now listed in critical condition at shock trauma. it happened early saturday morning in the 4700 block of garrison boulevard. the victim's name is not being released. now police noticed that the man was still moving once the paramedics declared him and dead left the scene. he was rushed to shock trauma.

an internal investigation is underway. silence to violence. that was the message of this rally in west baltimore today. after another weekend of violence, the west baltimore coalition came together to let everyone know they won't tolerate the shootings on their street. the rally was held in front of an auto shore where someone was shot saturday that man is in critical condition. looks like katherine jackson will be the permanent caregiver for their three grandchildren. the 79-year-old mother of michael jackson was awarded custody today. following the request handed down in michael jackson's will. abc 2 news carla wall has the latest on the jackson estate. >> reporter: katherine jackson and several of her children showed up for the hearing to determine the validity of michael jackson's will and who will control his state, estimated to be worth more than $500 million. katherine is challenging the executors named in the

document, closing them of keeping her in the dark and denying her access to critical documents like the contract with aeg for jack's comeback tour. >> please be clear mrs. jackson and her representatives have always respected and will respect mr. jackson's wishes. >> reporter: but an attorney for branca and mclane accuse her of trying to rewrite her son's will. less contentious, the custody of michael jackson's children. the judge has put his staff of approval on the deal, giving katherine custody, while allowing debbie rowe, mother of the two oldest, visitation. >> today's result 5 1/2 weeks after the training death of michael jackson eliminating uncertainty and offers some stability to the lives of these children. >> reporter: under the agreement, a therapist would help reintegrate rowe into their lives. >> i think you're going to see that therapist involved in a very significant way to facilitate the relationship, if it can be facilitated. >> reporter: in her first interview with geraldo rivera,

she also expressed concerns that her husband joe jackson be kept away from children. >> i don't know why they're saying he is not being allowed in the house. i don't understand that. >> reporter: katherine also says she doesn't believe her son died of natural causes. what it was, though, she can't say. carla wohl, los angeles. the lawyers for o.j. simpson are pushing for the former nfl player to be released from prison while his conviction is under review. simpson and his codefendant were not in court today as their lawyers went before an appellate court. simpson is serving nine to 33 years for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon after that september 2007 confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers in las vegas. no word on when the justices will make a ruling. well, gas prices are inching back up again. in our pump report tonight, how much drivers are now paying for a gallon of gas. and florida man wins the lottery. why he may never see a dollar

of that money. and from owings mills tonight from our storm center weather net, it feels like 84. temperature 82. norm has got a complete look at the forecast, coming up. (employee 1) subject: urgent!! bob!!

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imagine winning the lottery, and then losing the ticket. that's what happened to a man in florida. louis tolantino says he won half million dollars off of a scratch-off ticket. the clerk at the store where he bought it confirms he did win. when he went to the lottery office, it was closed for the day, so he went to a nearby gas station to ask the attendant where he could find the new lottery office. one of the customers standing in line behind him got a bit too close. >> he was get together close to me. so i says would you lake to go first. he says no, no, good ahead, do what you got to do. okay. and then i left there. thinking my lotto and papers were still in my pocket. i came home and it was gone. >> he has the confirmation slip from the original store showing that he had a winning half million dollars ticket, and he hopes the lottery will accept that and give him his money. but i hope they do too. thinking about trading in your clunker for some cash in

con artists also looking to make some money. what you need to know so you don't get scammed. and some credit card companies are making some last- minute changes to their terms before any laws go into everything. what you need to look out for you so you don't waste your money. and this is your movies on demand screen. oh cool. (cable guy) so what are you going to do next? who are you? who is he? it's okay. well, i'm going to... activate over 100 hd channels? program his remote? it's like you've been watching him all day.

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good news from wall street. the dow jones up almost 115. s&p up over 15. and the nasdaq up over 30. and some good economic news to report tonight. the housing sector may be making a comeback. the commerce department says construction spending increased 3/10 of a percent in june. it's the second increase in three months. and ford is reporting its first monthly sales increase in nearly two years. the company says the clunkers program put it over the top in july, selling about 161,000 vehicles. its first uptick by any of the

six biggest carmakers since last summer. meanwhile, the obama is putting pressure on the senate to approve another $2 billion to keep the cash for clunkers program rolling. the nation's transportation secretary says the program will be suspended without any additional funds. the house was already approved extra cash. so if you thinking of taking about taking part this the program, con artists will also be trying to cash in on the deal and take advantage of you. abc 2 news joce sterman has some warnings in this week's scam alert. >> reporter: it's a program that has brought in thousands of people ready to part with their pieces of junk. >> i broke my neck to try to get rid of this car. >> reporter: cash for clunkers. lawmakers are working to refill the tank after funding for the program hit e last week. but potential con artists have plenty of fuel, and they're speeding up their efforts to hit you. >> scam websites started

popping up whenever the obama administration started talking about this program before it was ever released. >> reporter: and scammers are talking even more now, capitalizing on the confusion about whether the program will even continue. that's why the better business bureau says you have to know the basics, including that you'll only get a rebate discount on the new car, not cash, not vouchers or checks. >> somebody is offering to pay you, walk away from that. that's a good indicate their is a scam. >> reporter: some people are are getting scammed by sites that say you need to preregister. some of the sites are trying to get your information. >> most of the websites, they're fishing. so that new and innovative? no. it's just another way of hitting consumers. >> reporter: and don't get hit by scam dealers who claim they can get you money. only registered dealers are part of the program. ask to see proof or check them out on the official government

website cars.gov. joce certainly man, abc 2 news. >> it's important to get all your deals in writing. check out other warnings on our scam alert page on abc2news.com. and now to our weekly pump watch. gas prices are inching upwards again. according to aaa, the average price of gas in the baltimore area is now $2.44 a gallon, up 4 cents in just a last week. nationally the average is $2.54, also up 4 cents in seven days. now the forecast certified baltimore's most accurate. here is chief meteorologist norm lewis and maryland's most powerful doppler radar. >> toasty out there today. >> it wasn't too bad. a little bit more humidity. but the weather, tell you what, it was not a clunker today. it was really nice. we've had a beautiful summer. i just wonder if this trend is going to continue into the fall and the wintertime that could pose some problems. but let's talk about the next

couple of days. we'll talk about the good stuff. outside right now, our shot from harbor cam high atop the candler building, overlooking the dragon boats and the paddle boats, having a good time right now just outside the world trade center, next to the light ship chesapeake. our temperature at bwi 46% humidity. wind is variable at 5 miles an hour and the pressure steady 29.98. there are the tide. a high tide 6:38 in the morning. low tide 1:44 in the afternoon. our winds interest the west at 6 to 12 miles per hour. the sun comes up at 6:09. we'll set at 8:15. 81 in york. 85 in hagerstown. a little cooler in oakland. out this the mountains 72 degrees. 85 in philly. atlantic city 84. same in ocean city and the same at pax river. our satellite picture throughout the day. lots of sunshine. a few light clouds. all the shower activity remains off the eastern seaboard, off the carolinas. and as you can see, the way things are shaping up, it's going to be a very nice evening

as a little area of high pressure makes its way into the region. some shower and thunderstorm activity just off the coast of the carolinas, causing some showers right new over the lower portion of the outer banks. those showers will continue to move on towards the east. and basically, our weather is looking pretty good. but this system right there, that's the one that is moving in our direction, that we'll see some shower activity out of that on wednesday. and tomorrow we're going to see heat and humidity again recur. it's going about the hotter tomorrow with more humidity, which will give rise to a slim chance for an afternoon very isolated thunderstorm. not the general rolling thunderstorms that we have been having. right now maryland's most powerful radar not indicating any precipitation around the region. a nice clear scan, and it's expected to stay that way for probably another 18 to 20 hours. and then maybe a few storms bubble up, not bund bel. bundle up tomorrow. hanover 55 degrees. germantown 83. 82 in walkersville.

rock hall 87, change to 86. that's live data. you can only get that here on abc 2. stevensville 88. elkton right now at 82 degrees. now here is your forecast for tonight. mostly clear skies tonight. during the day tomorrow, lots of sunshine on tap. possibility of a few afternoon thunderstorms bubbling up. and then once we get into wednesday, a chance for more showers making their way loo the region. so here is your forecast for the overnight period. tonight partly cloudy, mild, 72 degrees. the cooler temperatures in the northern and western suburbs probably getting into the upper 60s. during the day tomorrow, our nice day, mostly sunny, a few clouds, and a few afternoon and evening thunderstorms. very isolated are possible. high tomorrow warmer than today with a high of 91 degrees. 91 tomorrow will be followed by 89 and a chance for thunderstorms on wednesday. thursday partly cloudy, cooler, 84 degrees. 81 on friday with scattered showers. saturday and sunday, looking pretty good. we're going to kind of split the weekend with partly cloudy on saturday and a chance for thunderstorm activity on sunday with a high of 85 degrees.

we'll be back at 6:00 with more on the weather. double-check your next credit card statement. with a new federal law about to put some tough limits on credit card companies, many are making some last-minute changes to their terms. abc 2 news consumer reporter john matarese shows what's you need to look out for so, you don't waste your money. >> reporter: you knew this was coming. the new consumer protection laws will place serious limits on credit card companies. as a result, many of them are now getting a jump on the new law, jacking up our interest rates before the government tells them they can't do it. even credit card customers who have never been late on a bill are now receiving letters like this one, with bad news about their interest rate. >> one has been raised up to about 22% or more. and they put you under a lot of stipulations in order to get it lowered. >> reporter: muffin jones tells me she had to pay off her car immediately to lock in a lower

rate. wanda frias has always been a cuss good customer. >> slowly interest rates have gone up. >> reporter: the reason is the new credit card act that takes effect in february of next year. the group says the good news is the law restricts rate hikes unless your card has a variable rate. the bad news, companies are switching millions of fixed accounts to variable. the good news, the law makes it tougher to raise interest rates in existing balances. the bad news, companies are now raising rates before the deadline. and more good news. the law prohibits a rate hike if you are late on another bill. the bad news, they're raising it now. and many cards refuse to back down. >> well, i call the credit card company personally and try to dispute that. but there is not a whole lot you can do. >> reporter: but consumer advocate says if you get on your phone, you can still fight back. argue that you have been a good customer, threaten to switch to a card with a lower rate. finally, ask them to at least keep your existing balance at the old rate. so my advice, even though some credit card companies say their

new rates are nonnegotiable, it can't hurt to call and ask. don't take the first no you get for an answer, so you don't waste your money. i'm john matarese. and i'm marybeth marsden with a preview of what is coming up at 6. you know the cash for clunkers program is a hit, and washington is rushing to keep it alive. but has it paid off for maryland car dealers and buyers, or has the money already run out? and what are you having for dinner? is it good for your heart? a maryland doctor serves up news that could help you and your family live longer. those stories new at 6. e beaut. sharing what i see. that's my vision. and i'm living it. every day, transitions lenses are there to help care for my sight. announcer: transitions lenses adjust to changing light to reduce glare and help protect your eyes from uv damage so you can see better today... and tomorrow. live your vision. transitions. healthy sight in every light.

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four days left until megan pringle and rob carlin tie the knot. and you can make it an even more special occasion by giving the women in need in honor of their wedding. meg and rob are registered at target stores to help the my place which helps disable and homeless women get permanent housing. if you would like to donate, head to any target store and look up the pringle and carlin registry. you buy items and drop them off at the station on york road, or any of the united way locations. we'll collect the items through tomorrow before we send meg and carlin off to the wedding. for more information log on the abc2news.com and click can on the gmm tab. something fishy when it comes to keeping your family healthy. and are maryland car buyers to be hit the brakes on the cash for clunkers program? abc 2 news starts right now. >> now abc 2 news at 6.

>> tonight a truly shocking and sickening crime, one involving pornography, drugs and children as young as 2 years old. i'm marybeth marsden. a baltimore county couple with paramedic training is jailed on child pornography charges. kelly has the details. kel? >> reporter: well, marybeth, baltimore county man and woman are sitting in jail tonight, charged with child sexual assault and promoting child pornography. john nicklas and shannon honea were arrested at their essex home and charged with filming, distributing, and promoting child pornography. police received a tip about the couple and got a warrant to search their cromwell road home last thursday. once inside, they found child pornography and evidence that the couple filmed and took part in child sexual abuse. investigator says they also found a large number of prescription bottles in the basement. they believe the suspects targeted children from 2 to 13 years old, and may have even drugged them.