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Son of Hollywood director accused of years of sexual, racial abuse of water polo teammate at ritzy prep school

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. An exclusive high-end private school in the Los Angeles area has been rocked by a lawsuit alleging that three water polo teammates, including a star player who is the son of a well-known film director, racially and sexually abused a teammate for years.. The civil lawsuit filed by Aidan Romain, who was a minor and water polo player at the swanky Harvard-Westlake School at the time of the alleged incidents, says he was repeatedly subjected to persistent racist and sexual misgivings at the hands of his teammates.. One teammate, Lucca Van Der Woude, is named in the lawsuit, along with the school itself, school president Richard B. Commons and boys water polo program head Jack Glover. Van Der Woude is the son of Thomas “Basti” Van Der Woude, a high-profile Hollywood assistant director of shows including “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Westworld” and current hit “Ballard.”. The younger Van Der Woude is considered a top Olympic prospect, and at one point was a prized recruit to play water polo at UCLA, one of the most elite college programs in the country. It is unclear what his present recruitment status is with the team, but the lawsuit against him alleges shocking behavior.. ELITE MASSACHUSETTS BOARDING SCHOOL ROCKED BY TEACHER SCANDAL AND INSTITUTIONAL COVER-UP ALLEGATIONS. “From August 2022 until February 2024, Plaintiff Aidan Romain (then a minor) was sexually assaulted, harassed, and humiliated primarily by three Harvard-Westlake water polo teammates – often in the presence of Harvard-Westlake agents and employees,” the lawsuit begins.. The lawsuit says that in 2022, Romain was the only freshman to make the varsity water polo team at Harvard-Westlake, but that abuse at the hands of Van Der Woude began during his very first practice, when the defendant allegedly “digitally penetrated” him underwater.. “The abuse was not spontaneous. It was part of a years-long culture in which violence and humiliation were normalized and facilitated through the school’s coaching staff and administration,” the suit says. “At Harvard-Westlake, sexualized misconduct was treated as ritual, and silence was the price of inclusion. Speaking out was betrayal and survival meant staying quiet.”. COLLEGE FRESHMAN DIED AFTER FRATERNITY HAZING LED TO ‘HORRIFIC’ ABUSE, FAMILY SAYS. According to the lawsuit, Romain was also subject to use of the N-word consistently.. In another “disturbing display of racism,” Van Der Woude and another teammate who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit allegedly “began whipping Plaintiff with a rope and then an elastic band, making references to slavery as they demanded that Plaintiff ‘get back to work!’ while striking Plaintiff.”. Van Der Woude was arrested in 2024 and later admitted in juvenile court to “‘sexual penetration with a foreign object (digital penetration) against a minor’ as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors,” according to the suit. In February 2025, he was ordered to pay $50,0  

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Repeat offender with 19 felonies busted after wild caught-on-camera chase: police

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. A repeat offender with a long and violent criminal history is back behind bars after leading law enforcement on a dangerous chase in a stolen vehicle, authorities said.. Deputies and officers were dispatched to an auto theft in progress on the west side of Olympia, Washington, where a suspect stole a Honda Civic and fled the area on April 4. Law enforcement quickly began searching for the vehicle.. A short time later, a Tenino police officer located the stolen car, but the driver refused to pull over, triggering a pursuit that moved north toward the more populated Tumwater area.. Dramatic video from the incident shows the suspect speeding through roadways as officers coordinate over the radio, at one point noting speeds around 60 mph and urging units to stop the vehicle before it reached busier areas.. REPEAT OFFENDER STREET RACING AT 106 MPH MOWS DOWN EMT AFTER PREVIOUSLY KILLING SOMEONE IN CRASH: POLICE. “If we get him below 50, take him out before it gets to Tumwater,” one officer can be heard saying.. Authorities attempted to stop the suspect using a grappler device, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Spike strips were then deployed, slowing the vehicle. The suspect initially pulled over — only to take off again in a second attempt to escape.. REPEAT OFFENDER NEARS 100TH ARREST AFTER THEFT SPREE, DRUGS AND WILD HIGH-SPEED CHASE: POLICE. As the situation escalated, additional resources, including aerial support, were called in to assist in tracking the suspect.. With the situation escalating, a Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputy executed a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver), successfully stopping the vehicle. Deputies then forcefully removed the suspect from the car to prevent him from fleeing into nearby neighborhoods.. GOOD SAMARITANS HELP STOP ALLEGED PARK PREDATOR MONTHS AFTER REPEAT OFFENDER RELEASED: REPORT. Video shows deputies swarming the vehicle and pulling the suspect out as commands are shouted.. “Give me your hands! Give me your hands!” an officer can be heard yelling during the arrest.. Officials say the suspect had an active escape warrant tied to an assault case.. GOT A TIP?. The individual is a 19-time convicted felon with a record that includes serious offenses such as robbery, assault on law enforcement, unlawful possession of a firearm, burglary, and second-degree assault involving strangulation, according to authorities.. FOLLOW US ON X. Officials say his history also includes multiple convictions for attempting to elude police and possessing stolen vehicles, along with at least 10 misdemeanor convictions.. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL. Authorities say the suspect now faces new charges, including auto theft, attempting to elude law enforcement, DUI, and driving on a suspended license.. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS. “This type of repeat offender poses a clear danger to the public,” authorities said. “Deputies didn’t take any chances and acted quickly to s  

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Girl who survived brutal Florida shark attack returns to waters where it happened: ‘She’s fearless’

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. A young girl who survived a shark attack in Florida returned to the beach as part of the healing process.. The shark attack took place on June 12, 2025, off Boca Grande, which is on the state’s southwest coast near Fort Myers.. Leah Lendel was 9 when she was bitten during a snorkeling trip with her family. The bite nearly severed her hand off.. “It’s kind of like healing for me to come over here, because seeing this happen to me and sometimes I even forget I got a shark bite,” Leah told WZVN-TV.. The attack occurred 10 months ago, and Leah still vividly remembers the moment.. GOT A TIP?. “You see, like, the black stuff in the water? That’s where he was,” Leah said, according to WZVN.. Police body camera captured witnesses rushing to help save her life. The girl was airlifted to undergo emergency surgery.. FOLLOW US ON X. Surgeons were able to successfully reattach her hand following the attack. Leah, now 10, is still working to regain her strength day-by-day.. “I can’t really play piano now, and I can’t pick up more than 8 pounds, but me and my therapist are working for me to get my wrist strength back,” Leah told WZVN.. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL. The girl’s parents expressed how proud they are of their daughter’s resilience throughout a painful experience.. “We thought, you know, it’s going to be 100% amputation. And so that we were just praying. Of course, we, you know, we were hoping. But when you see something this bad, you just understand reality hits. You’re like, this is what it is,” Nadia Lendel told WZVN.. CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS. Despite the traumatic experience, Leah dreams of getting a snorkeling license, and her mom remains nervous but supportive.. “She’s not afraid. She’s fearless,” Nadia said.. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP. Leah encouraged others to not let fear stop them from fulfilling their dreams.. “It’s really rare the sharks even attack a person and I would recommend not swimming in murky water,” Leah said.  

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Family of missing coffee shop owner pleads for clues as cops scour surveillance video

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. The family of a mother of two and coffee shop owner from Oakland who disappeared shared an update about the missing woman’s status on Sunday.. “During this holiday weekend, Amy’s friends and supporters have continued their efforts to review hours of video footage, searching BART stations and surrounding streets, and distributing flyers throughout the East Bay,” said an Easter Sunday message from Amy Hillyard’s family. “We are also thankful for the local media who have helped keep Amy’s story visible and in the hearts and minds of the community.”. The family posted the message to a dedicated webpage for Hillyard, 52, who disappeared at around 2 p.m. on March 25. Nearly two weeks later, her whereabouts remain unknown.. FAMILY RAMPS UP SEARCH FOR MISSING COFFEE SHOP OWNER, MOTHER OF TWO, URGES PUBLIC TO CHECK CAMERAS. “While this is a day traditionally centered on hope and renewal, our hope remains steadfast: that Amy will be found and brought home safely,” the family said Sunday. “We ask the public to continue sharing Amy’s information, remain vigilant, and report any tips to the Oakland Police Department. Every effort matters. Every lead counts.”. Hillyard is considered “at risk” due to an undisclosed medical issue.. She is a mother of two, and the co-owner of Farley’s Coffee Shop in Oakland.. BELOVED COFFEE SHOP OWNER, MOTHER OF TWO DISAPPEARS NEAR HOME, URGENT SEARCH UNDERWAY. Last week, her family asked residents in Cleveland Heights, Lake Merritt, the Lakeshore District and Crocker Highlands to check home surveillance systems for any signs of Hillyard.. “The search to bring Amy home continues, and we remain hopeful,” family friend Sarah Wachs told Fox News Digital last week. “We’ve had hundreds of people come together to look for Amy.”. Wachs told Fox News Digital Hillyard is dealing with a health condition that may leave her disoriented and in need of help, but declined to share further details to protect her privacy.. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP. Hillyard is described as 5-foot-4 and about 120 pounds with blonde hair. Police recently clarified she was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, light blue jeans and white sneakers with a black stripe, updating an earlier description of different clothing.. The Oakland Police Department said there were no new updates as of Monday afternoon.  

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Woman gives birth midflight as air traffic controller suggests fitting name for baby

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. Talk about making an entrance – a sky-high entrance.. A woman gave birth midair Friday on a flight from Kingston, Jamaica to New York, turning a routine trip into a high-altitude delivery.. Caribbean Airlines said the surprise birth happened on flight BW005. The flight from Kingston to New York was expected to take about four hours.. As the flight neared its destination, pilots alerted air traffic control about the unexpected medical situation.. ISRAELI PARAMEDIC DELIVERS BABY, RUSHES IT TO BOMB SHELTER DURING IRAN ATTACK. “We have a passenger, a pregnant passenger, who is going into labor at this time,” a pilot said in audio obtained by CBS News.. After coordinating medical crews to meet the plane at the gate, a controller is heard asking, “Is it out yet?” When the pilots confirmed the woman had given birth onboard, another controller chimed in with a fitting suggestion.. CALIFORNIA WOMAN GIVES BIRTH INSIDE SELF-DRIVING WAYMO TAXI. “Alright, tell her she’s got to name it Kennedy,” the controller said, a nod to the airport where the flight was about to land.. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP. Caribbean Airlines said that, while the birth was unexpected, the crew never declared an emergency during the flight. Instead, the airline praised its crew, who “managed the situation in accordance with established procedures, ensuring the safety and comfort of all onboard.”. The airline said the woman and newborn received the care they needed from medical personnel.  

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Murder suspect on ICE hold accused of luring teen into death trap where victim’s final plea went unheard

​NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!. An 18-year-old murder suspect is being held on an immigration detainer after prosecutors say he helped lure a 15-year-old Missouri boy into a deadly ambush where the teen begged for his life.. Yefry Archaga, 18, is charged with first-degree murder in the March 12 killing of 15-year-old Miles Young in Greene County.. Jail records show Archaga is being held without bond and is subject to a federal immigration hold.. A second suspect, Praize King, 18, is also charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with the killing.. FOUR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS LINKED TO MS-13 INDICTED FOR ALLEGEDLY MURDERING 14-YEAR-OLD BOY IN MARYLAND PARK. According to court documents obtained by the Springfield Daily Citizen, the attack was premeditated.. Prosecutors allege Archaga “planned and set up a 15-year-old boy to be murdered,” luring Young into what he believed was a meetup before ambushing him. Investigators say the victim believed he was meeting a girl, but instead walked into a coordinated setup involving multiple individuals.. Investigators say a juvenile suspect picked up Young after leading him to believe he was meeting a girl, despite warnings that it could be a setup.. ILLEGAL ALIEN YOUTH COACH COULD FACE DEATH PENALTY AFTER ALLEGEDLY MURDERING, RAPING TEEN PLAYER. Court documents obtained by KY3 describe how the group had been driving around Springfield discussing the plan before stopping to retrieve a second vehicle. They then allegedly used two cars, including a black Mercedes, to track Young’s location and carry out the ambush.. When the vehicle stopped, Young ran.. A witness told investigators Archaga, allegedly wearing a black ski mask and armed with a “Glock-style” handgun, chased the teen on foot.. DHS SLAMS CALIFORNIA ‘SANCTUARY’ COUNTY AFTER MOM ALLEGEDLY MURDERED BY 2 HONDURAN NATIONALS. “Defendant ambushed victim, chased victim on foot, and shot victim as victim was stating he wanted to live,” the probable cause statement says, according to the Springfield Daily Citizen.. Another witness reported hearing Young fall and cry out, “I just don’t wanna die,” followed by gunshots.. Young was struck in the chest and later pronounced dead at a hospital.. GOT A TIP?. Witnesses told investigators they believed Young had been targeted, possibly tied to a prior dispute. He was expected to testify in a 2025 homicide case, according to the documents obtained by the Springfield Daily Citizen.. Authorities allege Archaga fled after the shooting and was arrested March 31 in Webb City following a two-week search. He is scheduled to appear in court April 13.. FOLLOW US ON X. At least one additional suspect, believed to be a juvenile, has not been publicly identified.. The killing has left Young’s family and community devastated.. GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL. “Miles was a compassionate, loving, and kind 15-year-old who brought light to everyone around him,” his family wrote on a fundraising p  

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