Tampa 2-year-old dies after falling into pool

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 9, 2000

TAMPA -- A 2-year-old boy who fell into his family swimming pool Friday died later in the evening at Tampa General Hospital, a hospital spokesman said.

George Domino of 1007 Hull Ave. in Seffner fell into the pool Friday about 8 p.m. while his mother was on the telephone, a sheriff's spokeswoman said. His father found the boy when he got home from work.

Rescuers performed CPR on the toddler before flying him to Tampa General Hospital, where he died a few hours later, a hospital spokesman said.

Severed natural gas line forces evacuation

SEMINOLE -- A backhoe removing a stump Saturday accidentally severed a natural gas line, forcing several nearby businesses to evacuate, firefighters said.

The gas leak started shortly after noon at Jim's Body Shop, 11198 70th Ave. N, according to the Seminole Fire Department. An employee of a nearby bakery inhaled gas and was treated by paramedics, but she didn't need to be taken to a hospital, said district fire Chief Mark Blackburn.

Authorities shut down part of 70th Avenue. Seminole firefighters with hazardous materials training were able to clamp the gas line shut before Peoples Gas workers arrived, Blackburn said.

Standoff ends with couple's arrest

ST. PETERSBURG -- A man and a woman were arrested early Saturday after their private dispute escalated into an eight-hour standoff with police.

Police said Wendy E. Cummings, 26, greeted them at about 1:30 a.m. from behind the door at 20301/2 Queensboro Ave. S. She said everything was fine, but she silently mouthed to them not to leave.

Officers could see the residence was in disarray and could hear a man inside telling Cummings not to let police in. There were indications he was armed, police said.

After hours of negotiation by a police SWAT team, the man allowed Cummings to leave the home at 8 a.m.

By 9:45 a.m. the man surrendered as well. He was identified as Charles Robert Lynn, 45, of St. Petersburg. Police said Lynn's mother helped in the negotiations. He was held Saturday at Pinellas County Jail on charges of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and domestic battery.

Cummings was taken to the jail as well after officers discovered warrants for her on two charges of aggravated battery.

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