Oklahoma Dentist's Patients to Receive Free Testing After Health Scare

ABC/KOCO,Oklahoma Board of Dentistry(NEW YORK) -- The Oklahoma state dental board is offering free testing to patients of an Oklahoma dentist accused of "being a menace to the public health," after a 17-count complaint revealed his poor sterilization practices put them at risk of contracting HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B.

More than 7,000 patients of Dr. Wayne Scott Harrington, an oral surgeon who practices in Tulsa and Owasso, received a letter from the Tulsa Health Department on Friday, informing them of an inquiry into Harrington's practice and advising them to get screened.

The dentist's alleged practices came to light after a patient who had no known risk factors -- other than receiving dental treatment in Harrington's office -- tested positive for hepatitis C.

"I could not believe it, because I had just been there February 28," Linda Grimm, a patient of Dr. Harrington's, told ABC News' Tulsa affiliate KTUL. "My worry now is my health issues that may develop."

After hearing about the infected patient on March 15, the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry conducted a surprise investigation of the dentist's practice on March 18, allegedly finding numerous sterilization and cross-contamination issues.

Investigators found two different sets of instruments – one set for patients known to have infectious diseases, and another set for patients who were not believed to have infectious diseases.

Investigators also found that the autoclave, the machine designed to sterilize dental instruments, which is meant to be tested each month, hadn't been checked in 6 years.

"We were just physically kind of sick," said Susan Rodgers, president of the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry. "The instruments that came out of the autoclave were horrible. I wouldn't let my nephews play with them out in the dirt." '

Harrington, who has been practicing for more than 30 years, may face criminal charges. The dentist voluntarily surrendered his state dental license and other permits. A formal hearing before the dentistry board is scheduled for April 19.

ABC News' Phoenix affiliate KNXV went to a home believed to be owned by Harrington in Carefree, Ariz. on Friday. A man believed to be Harrington declined to comment, and slammed the door.

Harrington and his staff told investigators that he treated a "high population of known infectious disease carrier patients," according to a 17-count complaint filed by the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.

Drug cabinets were unlocked and unsupervised during the day, and Harrington did not keep an inventory log of the drugs, some of which were controlled substances, according to the complaint. One drug vial expired in 1993.

"During the inspections, Dr. Harrington referred to his staff regarding all sterilization and drug procedures in his office," the complaint read. "He advised, 'They take care of that. I don't.'"

Harrington allegedly re-used needles, contaminating drugs with potentially harmful bacteria and trace amounts of other drugs, according to the complaint. Although patient-specific drug records indicated that they were using morphine in 2012, no morphine had been ordered since 2009.

Rodgers called the incident a "perfect storm."

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Boy Turns Birthday Party into Toys for Tots Drive

Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(OWASSO, Okla.) -- An Oklahoma boy’s generosity on his birthday has helped a local Toys for Tots drive to gather nearly 500 gifts for needy kids after he told his mother that he wanted to forgo presents for his December birthday, and ask for donations instead.

Chase Rowe of Owasso, Okla. has been a participating with his family in the Toys for Tots drive at the nearby Rejoice Church for the past few years, going with his mom to purchase toys and helping distribute them to the needy. His mom, Tiffany Rowe, told ABC News that when she had a conversation with him this year about what he wanted to do for his eighth birthday on Dec. 17, Chase told her that what he really wanted to do was to give toys to other kids.

“We were discussing with him what we can do for a birthday, when we’re limited on time. We asked him, ‘What do you really want?’ He said he wanted his friends to bring unopened toys to bring to his party to donate,” she said.

Soon a local business, Red Dot Laser Tag, got wind of Chase’s generosity, and decided to donate a mobile laser tag unit for the kids to use at the party. Another local business, Game On Party Truck, followed suit, and on Sunday, Chase’s party was a rousing success.

“We had over 100 kids, and that didn’t include the parents. We had at least 200 people circulated throughout the day,” Tiffany Rowe said.

In total, she said, they collected nearly 500 toys to be donated at the party, where the kids enjoyed popcorn and snow cones — Chase’s only request — and, of course, some cookies.

Rowe said that they welcomed anyone who wanted to come to the event.  They circulated flyers to Chase’s classmates, his karate teammates, and through the public schools. She added that Chase is already planning next year’s drive.

“If you ask him what he really wants, he wants kids to get toys for Christmas,” she said. “He’s adamant about that.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Oklahoma Judge Sentences Teen to Church for 10 Years

Comstock/Thinkstock(MUSKOGEE, Okla.) -- Anybody who knows Oklahoma District Court Judge Mike Norman probably yawned at the news that he’d sentenced a teen offender to attend church as part of his probation arrangement, and that the judge’s pastor was in the courtroom at the time.

Not only had he handed down such a sentence before, but he’d required one man to bring the church program back with him when he reported to court.

“The Lord works in many ways,” Norman, 69, told ABC News Friday. “I’ve done a little bit of this kind of thing before, but never on such a serious charge.”

Norman sentenced Tyler Alred, 17, Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in August for killing friend and passenger John Luke Dum in a car crash.

Dum died on impact in December after Alred crashed his Chevrolet pickup truck, ejecting Dum. Alred was 16 at the time of the crash and had been drinking prior to the deadly accident.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol issued a Breathalyzer at the time, and although Alred was under the state’s legal alcohol limit, he had been drinking underage.

The judge could have sent Alred to jail but, instead, taking into account his clean criminal and school records, sentenced him to wear a drug and alcohol bracelet, participate in counseling groups and attend a church of his choosing – weekly. He must also graduate from high school.

To avoid jail time, Norman gave Alred a maximum 10-year deferred sentence.

He’d never passed down the church-attendance requirement for someone as young as Alred,  said Norman, who has worked as a district Judge in Muskogee for 14 years.

“It’s not going to be automatic, I guarantee you,”  Norman said of the church sentence on future manslaughter charges. “There are a lot of people who say I can’t do what I did. They’re telling me I can’t legally sentence someone to church.”

Alred’s lawyer is not among the critics. “I usually represent outlaws and criminals,” defense attorney Donn Baker told the Muskogee Phoenix. “This is a kid that made a mistake. I think he’s worth saving.”

In the courtroom this week, an emotional scene between the victim’s family and Alred played out after statements from Dum’s mother, father and two sisters were read during the sentencing. Dum’s father and Alred stood up in court, turned toward each other and embraced one another.

“At that moment, it sure became a reality to me that I would sentence this boy to church” to help set him on the right path, Norman, a member of First Baptist Church in Muskogee, said. “There’s nothing I can do to make this up to the family."

“I told my preacher I thought I led more people to Jesus than he had but, then again, more of my people have amnesia. They soon forget once they get out of jail.”

After completing the rest of the requirements in his sentence, Alred will have the charge removed from his record.

“Only time will tell if we’ve saved Tyler Alred’s life,” the judge said.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Oklahoma Valedictorian Denied Diploma After Using 'Hell' in Her Speech

Ryan McVay/Digital Vision/Thinkstock(PRAGUE, Okla.) -- The father of a recent high school graduate in Oklahoma who has been denied a diploma because she said "hell" in her valedictorian speech has accused her principal of bullying his daughter.

"She became a senior and he constantly picked on her," Kaitlin Nootbaar's father, David, said of Prague High School principal David Smith. "I thought bullying wasn't supposed to be allowed in school."

Neither Smith nor superintendent Rick Martin responded to messages asking them to comment.

In her speech, Kaitlin, 18, told her Prague, Okla., audience about how she has changed her mind numerous times about potential career choices, her father said.

He said Kaitlin spoke of how she once wanted to be a nurse when she was younger, but then wanted to become a vet. She summarized her dilemma, her father said, with, "How the hell do I know? I've changed my mind so many times."

The teen told her parents she drew inspiration for her speech from the movies Eclipse, which is the third installment of The Twilight Saga film series, and The Hunger Games.

Eclipse includes a graduation scene in which the speaker says, "Who the hell knows."

Kaitlin's speech was met with laughter and applause, her father said. The class valedictorian walked the stage and graduated along with the rest of her class.

Her transcripts were sent on to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and life went on as usual until she and her father went to collect her diploma from the high school office last week.

"The principle shut the door on us," David Nootbaar said, "and told us she [Kaitlin] will type apology letters to him, the school board, the superintendent and all of the teachers," in order for her to obtain her diploma.

Kaitlin has told her parents she does not intend to write the apology letters but, her father said, still believes she is entitled to the diploma.

The straight-A student who has "never received a B in her life," her father said, is now enjoying her first days at college at Southwestern Oklahoma State.

She has decided to major in biology, her dad said, to become a marine biologist -- for now.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Oklahomans Return to Find Little Left After Wildfires

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(LUTHER, Okla.) -- Nearly 100 buildings, including five-dozen homes, have been destroyed in the past two days in Oklahoma, where severe weather contributed to the rapid spread of a number of wildfires. Hundreds of people were quickly evacuated from their homes as the blazes approached.

Residents returning to their neighborhoods Saturday found little left, after hot, dry weather and strong winds turned brush fires into firestorms. Investigators believe the fire in Luther, Okla., was started deliberately.

Oklahoma Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Mary Myers said there were “no arrests, no suspects” but deputies were “working around the clock” to find anyone responsible.

The fires are now largely under control, and residents who were forced out of their homes are returning to their neighborhoods, and finding little there.

The fire in Luther burned about 4 square miles, leaving families to sift through the ashes.

“We just barely got pictures out, we got a few clothes,” Tracy Streeper told ABC News. “We had maybe 30 minutes. Memories, home, everything’s gone.”

Next door, Casey Strahan took stock of what was left of his home.

“In a tornado, you can pick stuff up, and you dig through and you find things that are salvageable,” Strahan told ABC. “You come here, and you move anything, and it turns to dust.”

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin early this morning visited with families affected by the Luther fire.

“It’s heartbreaking to see families that have lost so much,” Fallin said after talking with some who lost their homes. “I gave them a hug, told them I was sorry.”

Her emergency managers have told her this year could bring one of the worst wildfire breakouts in the state’s history.

“This has been a very, very tough situation, when it’s over 110 degrees, and you’ve got huge flames and massive fires,” Gov. Fallin said.

Oklahomans say they will rebuild, but the weather shows no signs of cooling down, and the probability of more fires remains high. The weather is similar to last year’s, when state agencies ended up fighting 1,800 fires throughout the state.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Authorities Suspect Arson as Okla. Wildfires Force Evacuation

iStockphoto/Thinkstock(LUTHER, Okla.) -- A dozen raging wildfires fueled by extreme heat and strong winds have forced hundreds of residents in central Oklahoma to evacuate, and investigators now suspect arson as the cause.  
 
The fires have scorched dozens of cars, homes and other structures as firefighters worked throughout Friday night into Saturday morning to bring the situation under control.  

Officials in Luther, about 20 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, are investigating reports that newspapers set on fire were thrown from a pickup truck. Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel said 25 homes and a day care center there have been destroyed, Oklahoma newspaper The Oklahoman reports.

The trucks was described as a 2008 black Ford F-150 with red lettering on its side, according to The Oklahoman.

Though several firefighters have been treated for heat exhaustion as temperatures continue to climb above 100 degrees, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Slain Okla. High School Graduate Told Boyfriend: 'Call 911. I Can't Breathe.'

Tulsa Police Department(TULSA, Okla.) -- Slain Oklahoma teen graduate Kayla Ferrante said to her boyfriend Neikko Perez, "Call 911. I can't breathe," after a mystery suspect fired a bullet through the license plate of the car that pierced her back and ultimately killed her.

Perez told Good Morning America that he thought the gunshots were "really loud fireworks" and he has "no idea" why anyone would have shot at them.

Kayla Ferrante, 17, graduated from her Tulsa, Okla., high school last Friday, a year early in order to jump-start a career working with special-needs students. Her family said this was her passion.

After a family celebration Saturday, she went to a friend's house and later that night headed for home with her boyfriend Neikko Perez driving the car.

When the couple were just a half block from Ferrante's house, shots rang out that Perez thought were "really loud fireworks." The bullet that hit Kayla pierced the license plate on the back of the car, tore through the trunk and hit her in the back before passing through her. Police later determined the bullets were fired from a high-powered rifle.

About five minutes later, police and medical personnel arrived.

"They told me to get back and they didn't want me near," Perez said. "They started questioning me right after."

Ferrante was rushed to the hospital where she died during surgery, police said.

By the time Perez got to the hospital, he said, "It was too late. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, to hear that my girlfriend had passed."

Perez's car had been blocked in the driveway when he and Ferrante had left their friend's house, so he had been driving his brother's best friend's car.

Perez said he has "no idea" why the car was shot at or who could have shot at them. Police are wondering the same thing. And with no witnesses or suspects, authorities are asking for the public's help and searching for a motive in the killing.

"There are a variety of potential motives, but nothing solid at this point," Det. Victor Regalado of the Tulsa Police Department told ABC News. "We're exploring the fact that this could be a random shooting, that it was intentional, that either one of them could have been a target, or both."

Regalado said authorities are still investigating Kayla and her boyfriend's backgrounds, but preliminary investigations show, "Neither one of them appears to have been involved in any type of high-risk behavior, like drugs or gangs."

When asked whether there were any security cameras in the neighborhood that might have captured the shooting, Regalado said, "No comment."

"Based on the penetration, as well as some other things that we've collected, we were able to determine that it was a high-powered weapon," Regalado said. He declined to disclose the model of the weapon.

He said authorities are asking for help from any potential witnesses or even people whose spouses or significant others might have arrived home late Saturday night and acted strangely.

"At this stage in the investigation, we're open to anything," he said. "There's somebody out there that saw something."

"As her family and friends, we cannot understand who would do this or why and desperately want anyone with information to do the right thing and come forward," her family said in a statement. "Kayla was doing nothing wrong. She wasn't in a place she shouldn't have been, she was just a girl coming home before curfew."

Perez teared up when describing his memories of his girlfriend.

"She was shy but not around me. She was one of the nicest people you'll meet. She cared about others, always trying to help others," he said. "She just loved those kids with special needs and I thought that was really sweet of her. She'd always make you laugh, smile. If you're upset, she'd make you smile real fast. She's just an amazing person."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Three Children Among Five Dead in Oklahoma After Tornado Outbreak

Julie Denesha/Getty ImagesUPDATE: ABC News has learned of another fatality in Woodward, Okla., bringing the death toll up to six.

(WOODWARD, Okla.) -- Three children under the age of 10 are among the five found dead in Woodward, Okla., after violent storms ripped through several states in the nation's mid-section.

Even as crews worked to clean up the damage across the region on Sunday, residents braced for more violent weather that was in the forecast.  Three new tornado warnings were issued until 11 p.m. that included Minneapolis; Little Rock, Ark.; and St. Louis.

The threat across the region Sunday also included possible hailstorms, forecasters said.

Along with the five fatalities, 29 people suffering from cuts and bruises to serious injuries were taken to Woodward Regional Hospital, according to officials.

Woodward City Manager Alan Riffel said the twister knocked out a transmitter that should have sent out warning sirens.

"Most people were in bed and without warning, it came through," Riffel said.

Officials are still searching for bodies.

"We've had a fatality number of five and we don't expect to find more, but we're not stopping the search now," Riffel said.

From Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, there were more than 120 reports of tornadoes since Saturday.

Residents were warned this weekend about the outbreak of violent weather, which forecasters predicted as potentially "life-threatening."

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Granny ‘Drug Kingpin’ Busted in Oklahoma

ABC News(NEW YORK) -- Silver haired and sweet faced, Darlene Mayes looks like many grannies but according to police, she is one of Oklahoma’s biggest drug kingpins.

Her operation went up in smoke this week, when police entered her home and found 4 pounds of pot and $276,000 cash.

Police found $15,000 bundles of cash stashed away in the home. Mayes initially told police the money was part of her retirement fund.

Police also say she was packing a semiautomatic pistol and a revolver.

Investigators say her alleged pot-dealing network spanned four states, from Tulsa, Okla., to Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri. Police believe she supplied up to 40 percent of the marijuana in that area. As the mastermind, police believe she had a network of dealers, including her son Jerry who was also arrested.

Law enforcement expert Brad Garrett says harmless looking seniors can sometimes be the most efficient drug dealers.

“It doesn’t surprise me that someone this age would be actively involved in marijuana distribution because there’s just too much money to be made. If they keep a low profile, they don’t talk to many people, and they don’t get greedy, they can go on for years.”

Mayes is not the first grandmother accused of ditching retirement for a second career in drug dealing.

In the United Kingdom, 68-year-old Patricia Tabram—dubbed the cannabis grandma—was charged with intent to supply after authorities say they found a marijuana farm in her home.

In Tennessee, an elderly couple was busted for selling prescription drugs.

But the granddaddy of all drug dealers may be  Francis Cook, 83, also known as Britain’s oldest drug dealer.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Tornadoes: Midwest Twisters Leave 5 Dead in Oklahoma

Comstock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- At least five people are dead after violent storms ripped through several states in the nation's mid-section as officials work to clean up the damage this morning and brace for more violent weather.

Wisconsin, Minnesota, northwest Illinois and eastern Iowa face the greatest tornado threat on Sunday, which includes possible hailstorms, forecasters said.

In the northwest Oklahoma town of Woodward, a tornado touched down shortly after midnight, killing five people, authorities said.

Along with the five fatalities, 29 people suffering from cuts and bruises to serious injuries were taken to Woodward Regional Hospital, according to officials.

Woodward City Manager Alan Riffel said the twister knocked out a transmitter that should have sent warning sirens out.

"Most people were in bed and without warning, it came through," Riffel said.

Officials are still searching for bodies.

"We've had a fatality number of five and we don't expect to find more, but we're not stopping the search now," Riffel said.

From Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, there were more than 120 reports of tornadoes since Saturday. Residents were warned this weekend about the outbreak of violent weather which forecasters predicted as potentially "life-threatening."

A double tornado – two twisters from the same storm -- hit Cherokee, Okla., and continued to barrel through the Midwest for more than five hours, touching down dozens of times, and crossing a distance of 250 miles.

By late Saturday, Nebraska was hit with baseball-sized hail.

Erik Olson, who manages an orchard in Nebraska City, Neb. said a storage facility was heavily damaged.

"Our neighbor called and said, ‘Part of your shop is on our house,’ and so I come from town to assess the damage, and there's really nothing you can do about it," said Olson.

A dozen homes, apartment buildings, and a library in Creston, Iowa were completely destroyed.

Clothing, bicycles, children's toys, and files from now emptied file cabinets were thrown everywhere.

At one apartment complex, half of the roof was completely torn off.

In Wichita, Kansas, homes were overturned, trees uprooted, and stoplights were thrown into the streets.

"Everything is just completely gone; it's just a big empty space like it was never there," said one Wichita resident who lost her home.

Another Wichita resident hid with his family in the closet.

"The wind just picked up and the rain got real heavy and the hail, so we ran to the closet and the next you knew the house was moving," he said.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio