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Crime journal

By TIMES WIRES
Published April 17, 2007

Homeless man drowns near bridge

ST. PETERSBURG - It began as a cookout near the Gandy Bridge on a Saturday afternoon. Then a child's floating chair drifted out into the water, and 46-year-old Kevin Barnett dove in after it. It was around 5:30 p.m., a windy day with gusts surpassing 20 mph. Yet Barnett, a homeless man, kept swimming despite the winds and choppy water, the Sheriff's Office said. People on shore shouted at him to come back in. He didn't. Barnett died in the water on the north side of the bridge near the Friendship Trail, the Sheriff's Office said, releasing his identity Monday. It says Barnett appears to have drowned.

Pedestrian crosses van's path, dies

CLEARWATER - A man died Saturday night when he walked onto Roosevelt Boulevard and was struck by a van, authorities said Monday. Investigators have not been able to identify him. The Florida Highway Patrol said he was walking south across Roosevelt Boulevard near Morgan Street about 8:20 p.m. Saturday. He crossed the westbound lanes and entered the eastbound lanes, where he was struck by a GMC van driven by Christine Monahan, 43, of Clearwater, troopers said. He was taken to Largo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Monahan was not injured. No charges were filed.

Rape victim, 78, dies at hospital

ST. PETERSBURG - A 78-year-old woman who was attacked and raped in her Paradise Shores condominium on March 12 died at St. Petersburg General Hospital early Monday, the Sheriff's Office said. The Sheriff's Office did not release the name of the woman. Sgt. Jim Bordner, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office, said detectives were waiting for autopsy results to decide whether the man accused of attacking her should face any additional charges. Virgil DeBose, 42, was arrested March 16 on charges of sexual battery and burglary involving battery in connection with the attack.

Toddler survives fall into pool at party

ZEPHYRHILLS - A 19-month-old boy took a tumble into a pool at a Zephyrhills home Sunday, but quick action helped save his life, the Pasco Sheriff's Office said. William Adams, 34, told police he was at a party in the 38100 block of Archer Avenue when guests gathered to watch a video about 6:20 p.m. Adams said his son, Hayden, walked away. Later, Adams found Hayden in the pool, face up. He was not responsive, but was breathing. Adams started CPR. His wife, Lisa, who is certified to perform CPR on children, took over and continued until rescuers arrived. He is expected to fully recover.

[Last modified April 17, 2007, 00:44:01]