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Here are the 10 worst deadbeat dads in Suffolk County — and what the sheriff wants for Mother's Day

Here are the 10 worst deadbeat dads in Suffolk County — and what the sheriff wants for Mother's Day

New York Post08-05-2025
Suffolk County named its 10 worst deadbeat dads ducking their baby mamas and kids — as officials pushed Thursday to track down the alleged bums ahead of Mother's Day.
The men plastered to the 'Wall of Shame' collectively owe their baby mothers nearly $1.5 million, with one alleged deadbeat — Gustave Schotker of Farmingdale — dodging $420,000 in child support by himself, officials said.
'We are talking about thousands of dollars that could have gone to food, clothing, doctor's appointments, or school supplies for the children — not just children, but their children,' Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. told reporters outside of Yaphank Correctional Facility.
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Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon announced the county's top 10 list of deadbeat dads standing alongside Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin.
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office
Officials said the timing of the unveiling days before Mother's Day on Sunday was meant to send a message to the men dodging their responsibilities — and to the women forced to carry the load of raising their children alone.
'A lot of times, a two-income household dissolves, and then the mother is left there holding the bag — financially and emotionally — and then there are men that take advantage of this system and choose not to pay or be responsible,' Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin told The Post.
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The 'Wall of Shame,' displayed at the sheriff's office in Yaphank, includes the names, photos, and last known cities of each of the 10 men, along with the amount they owe.
The sheriff claimed some of the alleged offenders haven't made a single payment in years, despite court orders and arrest warrants hanging over their heads.
The Suffolk County men on the 'wall of shame owe their baby mothers nearly $1.5 million.
Toulon warned of a near-future filled with garnished wages, seized property and jail time for no-show dads who think they can abandon their parental obligations.
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'It's really the children that suffer even though these men may think they're punishing their former girlfriend, wife, or significant other,' the sheriff said.
Toulon is now asking for help from the public to assist in locating and holding these absentee fathers accountable.
'This Mother's Day, let's honor the parents who show up every day, and let's bring justice to those who refuse to,' Toulon said.
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Gustave Schotker
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Ralph Dickinson
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office
Advertisement John Maynes
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Christopher Haylett
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Christian Brown
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office
Advertisement Mark Olivo
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Jose Cuahutle-Bonilla
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office Jose Bran
Suffolk County Sheriff's Office
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Here's the list, according to officials:
Gustave Schotker – $422,584
Ralph Dickinson – $371,726
John Maynes – $209,192
Christopher Haylett – $169,912
Christian John Brown – $154,047
Lauro Encalada – $44,171
Mark Olivo – $42,712
Marlo Giro-Fuentes – $26,859
Jose Cuahutle-Bonilla – $19,115
Jose Bran – $17,716
Total: $1,478,034
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What happened to Malia Harris? 2023 death ruled undetermined, family suspects foul play
What happened to Malia Harris? 2023 death ruled undetermined, family suspects foul play

Indianapolis Star

time2 hours ago

  • Indianapolis Star

What happened to Malia Harris? 2023 death ruled undetermined, family suspects foul play

A police report listed her shooting death as a homicide, but her family was later told she died by suicide. Much later, the Marion County Coroner's Office declared her manner of death undetermined. What happened to Malia Harris on the night of May 11, 2023, remains a mystery. Her loved ones question the only other person who was inside a southeast Indianapolis apartment when the 24-year-old was found shot in the chest. "For her to shoot herself is an absolute no for me," Her mother, April Harris, told IndyStar. "She's not here to tell her story, and if that death certificate doesn't say suicide, she didn't do that." She said her daughter was set to go on a family vacation ahead of Mother's Day. Her loved ones describe her as a young woman with goals she was working toward and excited about. But in the last six months of her life, she was in a situation they felt she couldn't escape. Even with "weird circumstances," her family feels surrounded by her death, there have been no arrests made in the case, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police told IndyStar the case is still under investigation. At 10:50 p.m. on May 11, 2023, Indianapolis police were called to Fox Club Apartments in the 2400 block of Fox Harbour Drive for a person shot. Inside an apartment, they found Malia Harris unresponsive and took her to a hospital, where she later died. According to police documents, before the shooting, Malia Harris' boyfriend told police he was upset because he found sexually suggestive photos sent from another man to her phone, which led to an argument. But he claims he didn't shoot her. He gave police a statement, saying he was playing a video game in the living room when he heard a gunshot. He went inside her bedroom, saw her on the bed, and yelled, "What did you do?" before initially attempting to pick her up and take her to a hospital. He later called 911 instead. April Harris said the family was woken up by the news hours later. "A coroner came to the house at 1 a.m. and told us that Malia shot herself, and we were so confused," April Harris said. "We helped move her into that apartment months before, and I remember seeing (her boyfriend) around to help her move in, although he didn't really help. He was just there. So, we learned he had been living with her after she died." Right after the coroner visited, an IMPD detective arrived to give the family information police had gathered. "He couldn't find her phone, and the keys to her apartment and car were missing," April Harris said. "We had a spare key to both, so her dad and her sister went to the apartment to try to piece together what happened." When the family arrived, they searched her car outside and found her phone face down on the floor near the brake pedal. They said it seemed as if someone had placed it there neatly, rather than it being dropped and forgotten. "Then I remembered that she had a camera inside her apartment facing the living room. We went inside, and it was gone," April Harris said. The camera in the living room was synced to an app on Malia Harris' cellphone that family members watched with police. From what they could gather, there was calm before a storm. "She was stretched out on the ottoman in the living room, looking at her phone at 9 p.m.," April Harris said. "She had a wax warmer plugged in as if she were going to wax her legs later on that night. She looked relaxed. It just didn't look like the scene of a person who would be suicidal." Video footage captures 30 minutes before police arrive at the apartment, but then the camera goes offline, according to police documents. In still video images, the living room camera shows an angle of Malia Harris' boyfriend attempting to pick her up in her bedroom before the feed from the camera goes dark. A search warrant of the cloud later revealed no additional video recording from the night. IndyStar made numerous attempts to reach out to Malia Harris' ex-boyfriend, but he couldn't be reached for comment. IndyStar is not naming him because he has not been arrested or charged with the crime. In the days following the shooting, the close-knit family learned new information that shocked them even more. Malia Harris had a firearm, unbeknownst to her parents. Her ex-boyfriend also had a firearm, but police records reveal only Harris's DNA was found on the weapon that killed her. She was left-handed, and based on the scene, she was shot in the chest, which would later be confirmed by the Marion County Coroner's Office as her cause of death. While looking through her phone, the family noticed direct messages from Harris to the friends of her ex-boyfriend on Instagram. 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She was trying to save a dying woman shot outside Jackson Square. Her purse was stolen
She was trying to save a dying woman shot outside Jackson Square. Her purse was stolen

Hamilton Spectator

time2 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

She was trying to save a dying woman shot outside Jackson Square. Her purse was stolen

A court publication ban now prohibits identifying the 17-year-old suspect in the Belinda Sarkodie homicide. His name and photo were previously released under a temporary court order. When gunshots rang out around 5:30 p.m. on July 11 outside a busy Jackson Square , Flora Mason ran to help. She first went to try to help a man bleeding on the King Street East sidewalk, near the stairs to the mall's rooftop. With the help of another bystander, she said she ripped up a long shirt so it could be used as a tourniquet. Then she heard there was another victim, a woman unconscious. Mason said she went over to help. The man survived — but tragically, 26-year-old Belinda Sarkodie was killed. Mason only realized her purse was missing in the aftermath, while giving a statement to Hamilton police. 'When (the officer) asked me for identification, that's when I realized I didn't have it,' she said. Hamilton police have charged a woman with stealing the purse of a Good Samaritan who tried to help Jackson Square shooting victims. On Thursday police announced they have arrested and charged a 35-year-old woman with stealing Mason's purse. 'While providing assistance to 26-year-old Belinda Sarkodie, who tragically lost her life in the incident, this Good Samaritan became the victim of an opportunistic theft,' police said about the theft. Mason isn't sure where she set her bag down during the ordeal but was dismayed when she realized someone had taken it. The bag was a birthday and Mother's Day gift from her kids, she said, adding that they were so excited to pick it out and give it to her. It was a cheetah print bag, with a gold emblem on the front, with red detailing and an adjustable red strap. Inside the bag she had money, her bank and credit cards, identification and some charms she liked to carry for luck. After the shooting her money was spent and a credit card was used. Police used surveillance video and transaction records from stores to identify the suspect. Mason said she was initially worried about identify theft, but it seems the suspect was only interested in money. While police arrested the alleged culprit, the missing bag has not been located. Mason said she was told the woman claimed she gave the purse away. Police called Mason Wednesday night to let her know about the arrest. 'At least there is some resolution,' she said, adding that she was grateful. The 35-year-old woman is facing multiple charges including theft under $5,000, two counts each of fraud under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, use credit card, and possess credit card, along with failing to comply with probation. Since the shooting, Mason — who said she already had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before witnessing the tragedy — now feels more isolated. She tried to go to a vigil at King and James streets for Sarkodie, but said she only made it as close as about a block and half away. She couldn't go any further. 'It overtook me,' she said. So, she grabbed a coffee and sat quietly in Gore Park. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, including the search for the 17-year-old suspected gunman wanted for second-degree murder and attempted murder. Police believe the man shot was among a group of three males who were targeted. Sarkodie is the second innocent bystander killed in a shooting this year. 'This incident serves as a reminder that while tragic events often bring out the best in our community, there are unfortunately individuals who attempt to take advantage of moments of crisis,' police said about the purse theft. 'We continue to commend the courage and compassion shown by those who assisted Belinda that day, and we remain committed to holding those who exploit such moments accountable.' Nicole O'Reilly is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. noreilly@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Granny-gate: Long Island town admits grandma used as key witness to block mosque plan never existed
Granny-gate: Long Island town admits grandma used as key witness to block mosque plan never existed

New York Post

time17 hours ago

  • New York Post

Granny-gate: Long Island town admits grandma used as key witness to block mosque plan never existed

Who's your granny? A ritzy Long Island town admitted to inventing a fake grandma and citing her as a main witness in court papers to deny a local Muslim group's request to upgrade their mosque, according to court documents. Officials from the Town of Oyster Bay — which is home to the wealthy and celebs such as Billy Joel — claimed the imaginary woman testified that she couldn't drive her SUV down the narrow streets supposedly blocked by worshippers' parked cars, and named her one of the main reasons the mosque's plans had to be rejected. 5 The town claimed that the imaginary woman testified that she was unable to drive her SUV down the narrow streets because of the worshipper's parked cars. Audley C Bullock/Wirestock Creators – But under oath this month, town officials confessed the traffic-jammed grandmother, her SUV, and her grandkids don't actually exist — but instead are 'an amalgam' of other resident's submissions, none of which ever mentioned any grandmother, grandchildren, SUVs, or even daycare drop-offs. 'This grandmother doesn't exist,' Attorney for Muslims of Long Island, Peter Vogel, told The Post. 'She is a figment of the Town's imagination.' Town Planning Board Chairman Angelo Stanco admitted in a deposition that Oyster Bay 'departed from its normal practice' to 'invent the fake witness' — something he said had never been done before. He said the grandma is 'partially an amalgam of testimony and written submissions,' the records show. Deputy Commissioner Timothy Zike also admitted the woman was entirely fictional, conceding that her story should probably be removed from the town's official denial. 5 Deputy Commissioner Timothy Zike admitted the woman was entirely fictional. Facebook/I Love Oyster Bay, Long Island. But despite the town's sworn admissions in federal court, Oyster Bay is now publicly denying any wrongdoing. 'While we do not comment on the specifics of pending litigation, claims against the Town are baseless, unjustified and an attempt to divide the community,' Town Attorney Frank Scalera said in a statement. 'Our town's policies are applied equally and reflect fairness for all, regardless of faith. The Town takes great pride in its proven dedication to diversity and inclusiveness.' But the group's lawyers are not so sure that's the case — and the fake grandmother, attorneys argue, was just the tip of the iceberg. 5 Oyster Bay is now publicly denying any wrongdoing. Tak – Typically, the approval process to get the permit that the mosque is seeking only takes roughly six months to a year. But the mosque, which has existed in the town since the 1990s, said they have been fighting for their approval for over six years at this point. The federal complaint accuses Oyster Bay of orchestrating a years-long campaign to quietly stall and kill the mosque project — including manufacturing minuscule mistakes to send the application back, and even rewriting zoning laws midstream to create stricter parking requirements aimed squarely at the mosque's application, according to court documents. Town officials also admitted they passed Local Law No. 6 — a parking ordinance requiring new houses of worship to have one parking spot for every three seats — just as the mosque's application neared the finish line. On the record, officials told the court they passed the bill because the town viewed its existing parking laws as 'unfair,' and said they felt it 'favored' religions that pray standing, leaning on lecterns, or sitting on the floor — and had the mosque in mind when they passed it. 5 Muhammad Faridi called the actions from Oyster Bay 'pathetic.' Fordham Law The new law more than doubled the number of parking spaces the mosque would need, from 86 to 155, making the project all but impossible. And town officials admitted under oath they never considered any less burdensome alternatives. When asked which religions specifically did the new law target with the town's rationale, Oyster Bay's Deputy Commissioner Scott Byrne responded, 'Islam,' according to court documents. 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