at the lighter greens this is some light showers touching the grounds as of now. you get a little bit heavier with the darker greens and also the yellows. and we're seeing that around port deposit right now and heading up in oxford, pennsylvania as of now. and this again sliding off to the east. if your travels are taking you this way this morning be prepared for the wet weather but the heavierest stuff is really coming down in virginia this morning and also some thunderstorms across the area. as we go into the afternoon not going to rule that out but with the clouds hovering the possibility that thunderstorm activity could be held down. right now a check of the traffic with bill. good morning. well, we're starting to see some slowing traffic around the white marsh mall area. through about 895 past the beltway. no real problems though nothing unexpected there on the 83 run. harris burgesses pressway looking --burg expressway looking good inside the beltway on the jfx. construction not causing any problems that everybody was worried about. on the 795 run around owings

mills some highway traffic approach -- heavy traffic approaching the beltway. you do see some stop and go traffic right there. on 7 # itself no problems before you hit the bellway. on the 95 run northbound out of laurel, no real problems or delays. just the normal heavy traffic approaching baltimore. now back to you. we're following breaking news this morning. baltimore police have made an arrest. the man they arrested in the death of phylicia barnes. the teenager's body was found in the susquehanna river after she disappeared in 2010 while visiting family in baltimore. abc2 news linda so joins us live this morning with the very latest details on this. linda? >> reporter: megan, we were the first to break the story on abc2news.com shortly after midnight. police have confirmed that they've arrested a man by the name of michael johnson. he was taken into custody shortly after 11:30 last night. he's still being held this morning on unknown charges. and we spoke exclusively with the father of phylicia barnes who tells abc2 news he's

relieved and is now looking forward to the trial. johnson is the ex-boyfriend of phylicia's older sister. police say he was the last person to see the 16-year-old teen alive. phylicia was visiting her sister in baltimore when she disappeared in december of 2010. her body was found in the susquehanna river. this case attracted widespread attention after barnes an honor student from north carolina disappeared. overnight her father tells us that about the moment he got the phone call from police saying an arrest had been made. >> it was shocking. it was a disbelief. but naturally you know, things came -- say hey man, you know, it is what it is. we systemed a lot of outthinks -- suspected a lot of things on day one and we just couldn't understand why people were not helping you look for your child when they're missing. >> reporter: and we learned a press conference will be held later today to outline the details in this case. we're live at city police

headquarters, linda so, abc2 news. a bill aimed at improving coordination between law enforcement and community groups when searching for missing children was named in memory of phylicia barnes. and abc2 news sherrie johnson joins us right now with more information on this bill. >> reporter: well, megan it was one of the highest profile missing children cases and out of it came a law to help protect other children. the phylicia barnes law was passed in the house and senate. it's a bill to draw more resources to immediately search for missing children of all ages. i ensures they will post details of the case online and coordinate with local state and national authorities within the crucial first hours of the disappearance. the phylicia barnes law also raises the requirement for immediate police action from age 14 to 17 years old. the bill requires state officials to publish a list of missing children and annual statistics. >> they -- is that hopefully it will bring more attention and

cause media and volunteer groups and law enforcement to focus on children when they go missing in the first few hours because that's the most critical time. >> but this bill named for barnes could be the first named for a missing minority child. sherrie johnson, abc2 news. >> all right, we are getting reaction on this arrest on our wmar facebook fan page. she writes in saying -- it's not too late for you to weigh in. leave your comments and read what other people are saying, again that's the abc2 facebook fan page. a new york pizza shop gets an unexpected drive through window in other news. a surveillance camera captured the driver of the suv plowing into the domino's pizza store front. two plays managed to jump out of the way just in time. the 24-year-old woman behind the wheel reportedly mistook the gas for the brake and went through the front of the store. probably one of the last

places you would expect to see a misspelled word. this is in coconut creek in florida. that's where we were told this happened. the word kindergarten was misspelled incorrectly so the school officials quickly corrected the spelling error when they realized it was there. six legends are going to be honored. it's happening the weekend in honor that will last a lifetime. isn't that right charlie crowson? >> it is indeed megan. and it all starts with 1966 mvp frank robinson. that ceremony is set for saturday afternoon around 5:15 just before the o's take on the close, a live report -- oakland a's, live report coming up in just a bit. from diesel elementary school, good morning maryland!

thank you for joining us on this thursday series of statues unveiled honoring the six greatest orioles of all time. and the first one is happening this weekend. so charlie crowson is live this morning at camden yards with the preview. all right, charlie we know a little bit about the statue, what else? >> reporter: what we know right now about the sculptures, they're actually called sculptures, we found this out over the course of the morning going to be unveiled over the next six months beginning with frank robinson and the man is also responsible for a notable sculpture of nolan ryan at the ballpark in arlington. texas. home of the texas rangers. now greg bader joins us now with the ozarks, fans -- o's organization, fans have a huge treat this weekend. >> absolutely. we have an unveiling set to take place at 5:15 where frank and his family and a bunch of celebrities will be here for that and just before the game on the field frank will address

the entire crowd and present them with a gift and a really great experience for fans to come out and cheer for frank this time. >> reporter: as for fan themselves a gift as well? >> it's an exact replica of the sculpture that we have in our garden. it's -- going to be about 8 -- 7 or 8 inches tall and it's a substantial piece and it's an exact replica down to the very last detail of the sculpture itself. >> reporter: talking about the sculptures, the pedestal is right here. if you're familiar with camden yards it's in the garden area. the pedestal is there. this is going to be about 10 feet tall total but the pose is what's really fun. that's big secret and the reveal on saturday. >> it is. it's -- certainly a challenge for us to get out the word about this sense we haven't shown it yet. so because the picture is worth 1,000 beyond a reasonable doubt but we're doing our best to describe the excitement surrounding it because we want fans to be surprised what the

view is. what the image is and we also want fans to talk about it. we encourage the banter and discussion. frank in a home run pose or running down a ball in the alley and what's going to be the pose that we see? >> reporter: from frank to the culmination of cal in september and four others in-between each month unveiling a new one. who's next? going up to september? >> brooks robinson will be may 12th. so those were the first two guys to have their numbers retired by the orioles so that's the order that we've done these in and then we have earl weaver at the end of june. jim palmer, and then eddie murray and then cal ripken on september 6th which of course is the anniversary of 2131. >> reporter: pre-game the o's and the oakland a's game. again, right here at camden yards. you don't want to miss this, an historic moment for all o's fans, we're live at camden yards, charlie crowson, abc2 news. right now, your abc2 news

to go is coming up next. including our complete coverage in the arrest made in the phylicia barnes case. linda? >> reporter: well, breaking news here from city police headquarters, i'm linda so, what's next in this case. >> plus a live look at the physical effects of bullying that a child can have. we are not talking about bruises or cuts, we're talking about what could hurt them as adults. details on the effects of bullying just ahead. >> we have some scattered showers out there this morning, if the wet weather sticks around for the weekend, ill tell you that come -- i'll tell you that coming up.

good thursday morning, i'm megan pringle, this is your abc2 news to go. we have a busy thursday morning for you. linda so is out live with breaking details on the arrest in the death of the phylicia barnes case. we'll hear from her. we also have a live look another the roadways, we're going to tell you if there are any tie-ups for your morning commute. but we're going to start things off with meteorologist lynette charles and a check on your weather. lynette? >> all right, let's talk about what's going on right now. we're looking at maryland's most powerful radar and megan, we are seeing some wet weather. we've had the wet weather basically all morning long. it is working its way off towards the east so we will

start to get breaking in some of the areas that had the rain earlier this morning. but if you're around bel air, as of now yes, you are still getting in on some of the wet weather action and that will continue through the remainder of the morning. we're looking around i-95, some wet weather there and that's where you're dealing with the moderate rain. now a check now of the traffic with bill good morning. everything is running pretty smithly. on the 83 run everything looks pretty good everything on the harrisburg expressway. the jfx looks good until the construction zone around cole spring lane but that's pretty much expected on the 795 run stop and go traffic there. 70 looks good but on the outer loop of the beltway, around lib road as you can see you start to see some stop and go traffic. that goes all the way around to route 40. so plan on a little extra time there but then it opens up to 95. thed 5 run northbound looks --

95 run northbound looks pretty good. back to you. we have breaking news we've been following all among long. >> an arrest has been made in the death of phylicia barnes. abc2 news was the first media outlet in baltimore to break the story overnight and barnes has you know the story has captivated the news since 2010. she was visiting family here in baltimore when she disappeared. abc2 news linda so joinus and tracking the latest developments and live this morning outside police headquarters. >> reporter: megan, police here at headquarters confirm they've arrested by the name of michael johnson. he was taken into custody last night. we're still waiting to hear on what specific charges he's being held on. johnson is the ex-boyfriend of phylicia's older sister. police say he was the last person to see the 16-year-old teen alive. phylicia was visiting her sister here in baltimore when she disappeared in december of 2010. her body was found several months later in a nearby river. at one point in the investigation, federal agents obtained search warrants into johnson's facebook account to investigate child porn.

this case as you know attracted widespread attention. especially here in baltimore. number of vigils were held, billboards also put up throughout the city in hopes to keep the attention on finding a suspect. we learned later today police will hold a press conference. linda so, abc2 news. >> is this story has relieved many in charlotte, north carolina. that area dh morning and that's because phylicia barnes was living outside of charlotte when she came the visit family here in baltimore two years ago. andrew dowd is live this morning in monroe, north carolina from our sister station outside with new reaction to the arrest. andrew, good morning. >> reporter: good morning megan. phylicia barnes was a student here at union academy and for months after her disappearance, students and teachers hoped that she would return safely as they return to school today they can at least come to school with the sense of comfort knowing that police have the man responsible -- they believe to be responsible for her death rather in custody.

that man is michael johnson. he is phylicia barnes' sister's former boyfriend. barnes was visiting her sister in 2010 when she disappeared. this morning we spoke to her former theater coach and a close family friend charles patterson. he told us he feels a sense of relief but not necessarily isceps of -- sense of closure. >> he had no conscience, he didn't care. she was killed because she knew him. and obviously she was going to tell the police or her sister or someone. and he -- he killed her. it's as simple as that. it was a crime of passion. but the results of the crime of absolute bestiality. that drove him to that point. >> reporter: at this point, baltimore police have not said

exactly -- >> oh we apologize we lost the live feed from north carolina but we want to continue talkingn't is the story -- about the story and we will right now with don rondeau who is close with the barnes' family. >> my pleasure. >> there's a lot of first, as far as this goes, what are your thoughts on why this be so important? -- has been so important? well, a few things had to happen. >> i believe for there to be an arrest today. as a community we all had to say that's enough. we're not going to let one more kid go without a fight and that happened. the nation may not have seen it but here in baltimore and the state of maryland we all saw a community rise up and stay focused on justice for the family. key to that was the family's ability to stay focused and resolute and not let this go. there have been children murdered before and since the death of phylicia barnes. and we don't necessarily know their names but we know phylicia barnes. that has -- that's some great things. one, there is a bill pending

the signature of the governor will become law. named after phylicia barnes. phylicia's law and it's a missing childrens' focused bill. it is a first on a number of different levels. it's the first time for such a bill in the state of maryland. it's the first time that a minority has been the focus. it's been named after a minority in the history of our country likely and so multiple historic firsts, key right now though is this is a great moment. a critical moment in the case. but everyone involved especially the father all of us will support him are resolute and determined for justice for phylicia barnes. >> all right, well, you've been a great spokesperson for the family and we look forward to hearing from you in the future. >> thank you so much. >> thanks for coming in. well, stay with us, we broke this story on the website. abc2news.com, when we sent out a news alert and we are staying on top of this story. there's going to be a press conference today and we will continue to cover it and not only on the air but online so remember to stay with abc2news.com for continuing

coverage on this story. the mother acued of stabbing her baby at a baltimore social services building has been clarked with attempted murder. police say kenisha thomas stabbed the baby several times during a visit at the office. she says that they -- the dfs workers told used this happened and they were upset about it and we'll have more information on abc2news.com. again the mother charged. all right, parents listen to this. things like bullying demostic violence, they can cause more emotional harm to your children than we know about. that's because they published a report recently a study that says violence can prematurely age children by as much as 7 to 10 years. these children are more likely to get diseases associated with aging years before their peers. a hagerstown family is finding life after death as sad story a father lost his life and his daughter in a house fire. at first doctors thought they might be able to save the 3- year-old. her name is hope. but they had to make the tough

decision about whether or not she should stay alive. you see she was deprived of oxygen and she wasn't breathing on her own. she lived for two days of the fire but then they determined she was brain dead. her father took her off life support and donated her organs. >> there are also two other families that are rejoicing today in the wake of our tragedy, they have relief. >> thanks to hope and her father's tough decision, one boy received a new liver, another boy received her kidneys. a celebrity rally of sorts taking place today in los angeles to honor trayvon martin. this rally will honor those who have died in controversial circumstances. celebrities like magic johnson and jesse jackson are expected to attend. >> judges at an international war crimes tribunal in the netter lands will deliver landmark decisions on this.

today it's happening. the former liberian president charles taylor is charged with sponsoring brutal rebel groups in neighboring sierra leon. rights activists are having it their way at burgering king. the chain announced it's only going to use eggs from hens kept in cages. they will also only use pork products from uncaged pigs. >> also, 5,000 4 and 5-year- olds are sitting up several baltimore attractions today. it's the pre-k at play and gives youngsters an educational experience outside the classroom. places like camden yards and walters art museum. that's happening today. first round of the nfl draft begins today at radio city moussic hall in new york. this is where it's happening. andrew luck is expected to be the first pick going to indianapolis and the colts and baylor's robert griffin iii will likely be the second pick rather for the redskins. time now for check on the

weather and lynette charles. >> it's wet out there right now megan but a break pretty soon and then we'll have some more pet weather moving in but check out the complex of thunderstorms diving down into tennessee right now. that is severe thunderstorm watches going on along that area. and we won't have any severe weather for today. but we are dealing with some strong thunderstorms and some heavy rain now in virginia. and closer to home, well, we're just dealing with couple of scattered showers across the area. as we look at bel air we can see the wet roadways as of now. and things will begin to taper off. in hartford county and also cecil county this morning, also mount airy later today and now just deeming with some cloud cover but could be seeing some more showers popping up across that area. we look at maryland's most powerful radar and i'm going to zoom in on the area again that we can see these showers moving in. again rising sun, port deposit. across that area and also elkton. there's the heavier showers moving in into fredericksburg

as of now. so the hour by hour forecast brings some showers even as we go into the 4:00 time frame with the temperature around 68 degrees. this is what it looks like as we check out your 65 as we head into your first pitch right arnold 7:05 and quick check of the seven day forecast. much cooler into the weekend. megan? all right, remember we'll have weather and traffic updates throughout the morning and we do want to remind you a press conference is expected today with the phylicia barnes case. that's online and on the air. you can always find your news at your fingertips at abc2news.com. thank you so much for joining us. and have a great day. we're going to send you now to new york for "good morning america." [ captions by: caption colorado, llc 800-775-7838 email: comments@captioncolorado.com ] ♪

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