talking to upset parents.. that the school bus their kids safety - kendra conlon, 10 news wtsp now to tonight's big story. now to tonight's big

disturbing allegations of a daycare worker abusing a child with autism. it's one of the absolute worst things you could imagine as a parent. the person-- responsible for caring for your child-- accused of hurting them instead. the pasco county sheriff's office-- arrested "34-year- old tiffany littlepage" for child abuse. "children's nest day school" in lutz. according to the arrest report-- she intentionally dumped water on a "3-year old autistic boy's head"-- and forcefully threw water into his face. the report says she did it-- because the boy was playing with a water bottle. we tracked down the "daycare owner"-- who says he takes the allegations seriously.

saw what happened-- and told investigators-- littlepage has been known to target slow learners... and kids with disabilities. we spoke with a parent who claims she's also seen littlepage being aggressive with children. we're putting together that story all new for 6. courtney if these accusations are true-- this case raises a lot of concerns. like-- who can you trust with your kids-- especially if they have special needs. we did some digging for you-- and found three important questions you need to ask. an easy way to remember them-- "a- b-c." "a" is for accredited centers. does the childcare center have a license... and does it follow national education guildelines? "b" is for belief in each child's abilities. each child should have their own learning plan that covers their social, emotional, and

and "c" is for committed teachers. staff and teachers should be warm and caring-- and show respect for both kids and parents. this list was put together by a group that helps children and adults with autism. there's also an online database where you can check out day care inspections and ratings. we've put a link in this story on our website wtsp.com.. just click seen on tv. and there's more to this story. almost one year ago-- we told you about another disturbing child abuse case. it also involved an employee of a - there is more to this story. almost a year-ago we told you about another disturbing child abuse case. it also involved an employee of a pasco county daycare. linda was arrested after detectives watched this surveillance video from kids stop and play in holiday. she pleaded guilty. her sentencing is coming up in

in october the little girl's family settled with the daycare for an undisclosed amount. ten american soldiers are back at their base sharing their side of what happened to them in the persian gulf. nine men and one woman were on their knees as iranian security forces came on to their boat. a high ranking general said iran does not suspect it has anything to the with espionage. both countries are trying to downplay what happened with the sailors in the persian gulf. there are two bigger things playing out between u.s. and iran right now that should be on your radar. iran is days away from complying with a deal to cut back on its nuclear program. >> when that happens, we are convinced it will make us and

more safe and secure. >> the u.s. and other countries agreed to drop sanctions against iran once the nuclear program is curbed. second thing happening with the iran, supreme court justices are hearing from families killed in for the terror attacks funded by iran. the issue is whether congress went to far when it passed a law giving families money from iranian assets held here in the u.s. look at this surveillance video shot in largo. the victim was doing lawn maintenance. he puts a gas powered edger and leaf blower in the back before hopping in and driving off. the thief was thin 6'0" wearing a shirt with west coast chopper on the back. here's a look at headlines

in your 60 second scan. five people have detained in connection with yesterday's bombing in turkey. ten german tourists were killed. the bomber was a 27-year-old man from syria with ties to ice cities. the widow of the man killed in the san bernardino shooting is seeking damages from the county. she is filing for $3 million in damages for her and $10 million in damages for each of her minor children. a 19th century ship wreck has been discovered on the floor of the indian ocean off australia's coast. would you split a hotel with that stranger? a new app is designed to help solo travelers save money on hotel rooms. it screens all users and matches you based on age and gender preference. the app just got started.

cities on the west coast. new developments today in the man known as hulk hogan has a lawsuit against a website. he accused a sight of posting a sex tape without his permission. lawyers want the entire case dismissed. eric glasser was there for the judge's decision. >> reporter: lawyers for the website asked the court to throw out the entire $100 million civil suit brought by hulk hogan. he arrived today in true hulk hogan fashion. his attorneys argued two years of proceedings have been tainted by hogan to lead the

to believe the website. >> when authority does that it turns things down. >> reporter: the website says they discovered statements made to them different in the fbi. if he was lying. [ no audio ] >> there is not a witness in the case that will testify to that. >> reporter: attorneys accuse the website for a fishing expedition. >> he is victimized by what they are doing today. >> reporter: the judge hardly took a breath before making her decision. >> defense motion for dismissal brought on the court is denied. >> reporter: with that lawyers from both sides argued a handful of other motions and jury instructions. the civil suit is set to begin march 7th.

someone out there could be hours away from the biggest powerball lottery jackpot ever. all eyes will be on tallahassee tonight for the powerball drawing. the jackpot is at $1.5 billion. it is fun to fantasize about what to do with that money. >> if we are imagining being on a vacation in the caribbean and winning this money it makes his feel better physically. different hormones and transmitters are released in our bodies. we feel better thinking about stuff like that. >> even though your chances are winning are slim, your brain aren't worried about the odds. that's because our brains aren't wired to think about probability. no matter how realistic you are you can trick yourself into thinking you have a decent chance of winning. you can watch the powerball drawing tonight at 10:59.

another case of a criminal getting too bold and too vain. >> what he did to get so much attention from the internet and police. >> reporter: eric is throwing a huge party to help others. >> tonight, on your own starting at 5:00. i'm looking forward to that story. good evening. major changes coming your way in the days and head. one of these days could contain severe weather. we are tracking it and we'll

>> we are taking it slow. and doing everything we can. >> does wheel of fortune help you feel better? >> it is just a show. he says it is just that show. we know better than that. last week you may remember we introduced you to eric, the wheel of fortune super fan. since then the story has been shared all over the country. it is paying off in a big way. 10 news reporter bobby lewis is on the road with land o'lakes newest famous face. >> hello wheel fans. give the wheel a spin. >> reporter: as it turns out after you meet stars like patt and vanna you become a star yourself. >> who has been asking you for your autograph? >> everybody. >> eric loves the internet.

his visit to our station last week hen he nearly broke our microphone. >> holy moly! >> reporter: since eric appeared on our screen he's been getting messages from everywhere. >> i'm a movie star. or should i say a wheel star? >> wheel star. >> omg. i rick made our local news in missouri. go eric. another friend said it is on the news in wilmington, north carolina. >> reporter: since eric came to the station and saw vanna and pat it has been a busy couple days. february 28th he is having his first birthday party ever. after watching these people make his dream come true the community really stepped up. >> patrick from toyota wesley chapel brought two tickets --

>> reporter: many donated after seeing eric's story. his dream come true is still going. >> my phone is constantly going ding ding ding all they long. >> reporter: on the road i'm bobby lewis 10 news wtsp. >> it is awesome to see the world supporting him. eric's party will be at old mcmickey's farm. it costs $10 to get in the farm. the donated tickets will help if you want to go. >> the family set up a gofundme account for medical bills. we have that information online at wtsp.com. i so love this little boy. >> who doesn't. he captures everybody's hearts.

it is a wonderful young man. >> a lot of people are confused. alex got named today. do you know this lady? >> i can't believe i just said october. >> we all love dian. i want to show you this path. that's the same low that wound up over the bahamas last week. and then we had the front bring the rain behind it. it went across the atlantic and started winding up here not too far as it will track north. it is not a full true tropical storm. but it has a lot of tropical characteristics with sustained winds 50 miles per hour. as it rips to the north it will hold the characteristics for 48 hours before it pulls off. when we get into june we'll likely be on the beam.

the late 70s since that happened. let's talk about the changes coming your way. i'm expecting a quieting night this evening. cloudy skies. not as chilly as it has been. 59 to start the evening in tampa and sarasota. 61 tallahassee. it is this system here in the western gulf that will start winding up and tracking northeast. it will be the problem over the next couple of days. we have the potential for severe weather. i'm going to take you through this step-by-step. between now and friday it will be fairly quiet. we are looking at temperatures in the low 60s and mid 50s with a nice, quiet storm tracker 10. going into the evening hours we don't see as sharp of a falloff tonight. temperatures in the low to mid 50s. wake up temperatures chilly in crystal river. 59 degrees. around the metro more comfortable. 50 degrees to start. keeping you cloudy for your thursday.

the winds turning east will help us there. it should feel more comfortable, not quite as cool as it did today. it is only a difference by a few degrees. now, where the weather really matters in the next few days is staying vigilant and keeping up with the forecast for friday. it is looking like a first half of the day event. morning commute to lunchtime. this is locking like a true el nino setup. meaning strong thunderstorms coming across the peninsula. this will wind up and try to become a nor'easter or off of the northeast coast on saturday and sunday. for you, be ready for, at the very least, strong thunderstorms friday with the possibility that there could be severe weather. that could include waterspouts and tornadoes. dime-sized hail possible and wind gusts in storms 45 to 65 miles per hour. we'll be picking up beneficial rain. that's not the only chance of

it is the one day i really want you staying weather aware. it is friday. behind that a second front will bring in scattered showers on sunday early morning. should wrap up by midday. a windy, cool, cloudy, raw day on sunday is expected. look at the cooler weather behind it. 50s and 60s for highs. of the two days saturday is looking to be the better day. we'll talk about that severe weather potential for friday coming up in the 5:30 half hour. with that on the horizon, if you have not put the 10 news app on your phone it is a good night to dote. we'll have it on there for free in seconds. this is hard to believe. powerball fever isn't always a good thing. all new on 10 news at 5:30 we are breaking down why experts say it can be like a gateway drug for hopeful multimillionaires. >> there are people cleaning up the houses.

houses. a couple who lost their home to a tornado is fighting a pricy power bill. heads up if you are looking to get pregnant. the one food you might want to stay away from and why. those stories and more coming up next on 10 news at 5:30.

name and you might be one of the thousands of people who signed a petition calling for his release. subject of the documentary series making a murderer, steven avery is asking to be released from prison on bond. avery filed a motion saying police and investigators used an improper search warrant to collect evidence from his property. that evidence was used to convict him for the murder of teresa hallback. new information about the malicia spending its 12th day held up in a wild life refuge in oregon. they plan to talk about what they want and when they plan to leave. the malicia is getting a quote, mind blowing amount of hate mail. everything from letters to things we can not share on tv. one of the members posted a video about the hate mail on facebook.

on hate and hate and hate. so we are going to continue to do work and do good for our country. we are not going to be deterred. we are not going to let your junk and hate mail side track us. >> some members of the social media say say they sent glitter bombs. the hate mail that started pouring in after the group posted its address on facebook asking for snacks and supplies. ahead, bringing in backup. see who is stepping up to help families facing toxic water crisis. amazon is one of the companies putting polk county

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