How much should we know about how children die?

ATLANTA -- The House unanimously passed a bill to change the way a child's death is investigated and how much information about their life and DFCS involvement in it, can be released to the public. It is now in the hands of the Senate.

Supporters say the Office of the Child Advocate, which currently leads the investigations, doesn't have enough staff or the law enforcement power to get to the heart of what happened.

The bill sponsor also believes to hold those involved in the child's life accountable and discuss potential policy or procedural changes necessary, it's important for the community to understand what happened.

According to DFCS reports, of the 213 children that died with a DFCS case history in the past two years, the state has no idea what killed 62 of them. 116 deaths are ruled natural or accidental.  But 11Alive questions how many of those deaths really stemmed from preventable neglect or abuse.

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That's why in November reporter Rebecca Lindstrom requested the case summary of every one of those 213 deaths. Three months later we're still missing 94 of them. But even with the records received, there's no shortage on what we can learn.

The files are so heavily redacted, there's no name, age, most don't even say how these children died. So our staff had to pour through them, literally reading between the lines, calling local communities, coroners and families. What we learned, shocked even us.

In the reports, we found names ripped from the news. Stories we covered that captured our hearts.  Names like Hannah Truelove. A 16 year old found murdered in the woods near her home. Her case remains unsolved, but her DFCS file is filled with pleas for help.

At least three times, someone requested she be put in protective custody. There was a report of emotional abuse, skipping school, and locking herself in her bedroom at night.

In Rockdale County the community rallied after four children from the Glass family were found dead inside. Beforehand, DFCS substantiated reports of abandonment an inadequate supervision. For a time, they even lived in foster care. But no one was watching when one of the children started playing with a lighter.

In Atlanta, 12-year old Demiya Griffin and her mom were killed by her stepfather.  Shot to death in their home. According to her DFCS case summary, a caseworker was set to meet with the family to deal with their "inability to resolve conflict" when she died.

We took all of the reports we received to Melissa Carter and Tom Rawlings. Both attorneys. Both former directors of the Office of the Child Advocate.

In reviewing the reports, we learned at least 33 of the children were beaten or shot, most police say, by a parent now behind bars. At least 10 of the children died, despite pleas to a judge to get them out of danger.

"There are a lot of time in this work that you have to make a judgment call based on your experience, and sometimes that judgment is wrong and you have to face up to that," said Tom Rawlings, who also served as a juvenile court judge.

Carter says in some cases, the problem goes even deeper.

"We have a judge that doesn't trust the case worker. We certainly have a problem system wide in an erosion of public confidence in the system."

Three of the children who were ordered into protective custody, died anyway.  They were killed before someone came to take them out of their home.

"We see the same patterns in these families as we do in domestic violence situations where there's a lot of tension, obviously there's a lot of risk," said Carter.

But for dozens of these children, their deaths remain a mystery. Five month old Nicholas Womack's mother was arrested after he was found, his skin eaten off by bugs and rats. But his cause of death, is still listed, as unknown.

For many of the children who died there was no autopsy. No criminal investigation. Just a life lost in black ink.

"At the end of the day, systems get the outcomes that they are designed to produce," said Carter.

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Russia approves use of troops in Ukraine

Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Kiev's Independence Square, Kiev, Ukraine (file photo)

SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine (USA TODAY) - Russian parliament's upper house unanimously approved the deployment of troops in the Crimea region of Ukraine on Saturday.

Defying a warning by President Obama a day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin asked parliament for permission to use military force in Ukraine due to the "extraordinary situation" there. Putin said the move is needed to protect ethnic Russians and personnel at a Russian military base in Crimea.

"I'm submitting a request for using the armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine pending the normalization of the socio-political situation in that country," Putin said in a statement released by the Kremlin.

Lawmakers recommended that Putin recall the Russian ambassador to the U.S., the Wall Street Journal and the BBC reported.

Meanwhile, senior Ukrainian politician Vitali Klitschko called for a "general mobilization" in the country.

"Parliament must request the army chief to mobilize following Russian aggression against Ukraine," Klitschko said in a statement.

The news comes hours after Crimea's pro-Russia leader Sergei Askenov declared himself in charge of all security services and made a direct appeal to Moscow.

"I appeal to the president of Russia Vladimir Putin for assistance in guaranteeing peace and calmness on the territory of the autonomous republic of Crimea," Aksenov said in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies.

In Kiev, the interim government that replaced exiled President Viktor Yanukovych said Russia is violating its sovereignty.

"We demand that the Russian government and authorities recall their troops and return them to their bases," interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk said Saturday in remarks published by Interfax, Ukraine's official agency.

"There is inappropriate presence of Russian military servicemen in Crimea now. This is nothing but a violation of the basic provisions of the agreement on the Russian Black Sea Fleet's temporary presence on the Ukrainian territory," Yatseniuk said.

Meanwhile, Washington continued to call for mediation to defuse the crisis.

"The United States calls for an urgent international mediation mission to the Crimea to begin to de-escalate the situation, and facilitate productive and peaceful political dialogue among all Ukrainian parties," Samantha Power, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said in New York.

STORY: Obama warns Russia about Ukraine sovereignty

Ukraine closed its airspace over Crimea on Saturday after border officials said at least eight Russian transport planes landed Friday at a military base, delivering unknown goods and personnel. Ukraine's Crimea province has an ethnic Russian majority and hosts the Russian navy's Black Sea fleet.

All flights to and from the provincial capital of Simferopol were canceled a day after unidentified gunmen - suspected to be Russian forces - took over the region's main airport and a military airport outside the naval city of Sevastopol.

There are also reports the soldiers at the airport could be private contractors working for Russia's interior ministry, thereby offering a loophole as Russia says its forces haven't intervened.

Regardless, the situation was tense in the region as Aksionov reassured local residents that he had the situation was under control.

"The authorities are at their desks working," he said at a meeting televised state broadcaster, Krym TV. "We guarantee the people, irrespective of their ethnic background, a sober, realistic and just approach in resolving their issues. I am especially addressing the Crimean Tatars: I assure you that nothing threatens you."

Most residents of the Black Sea peninsula have linguistic and cultural ties to Russia with a clear majority self-identifying as ethnic Russia.

Nowhere is that more apparent than the port city of Sevastopol which is home to the Russian navy's Black Sea fleet thanks to a lease agreement not set to expire until at least 2042.

The Russian tricolor flag flies over most buildings and the Ukrainian language is rarely heard on the streets. In recent days pro-Russia rallies have drawn enthusiastic crowds that have reveled in the colorful display of nationalistic pageantry.

One such rally Friday was led by one of Russia's most flamboyant nationalist politicians who spoke to hundreds who flocked to hear his words in front of the city hall that in recent days has flown the Russian - not Ukrainian - flag.

"All the roads, all the ports, all the communications are under the control of the provincial Crimean government," Vladimir Zhirinovsky declared to thunderous applause and chants of "Russia! Russia!".

The Russian politician took a swipe at Ukraine's nationalist caretaker government that alarmed many earlier this week by proposing a law that would strip the Russian language of official status.

"If they want somewhere only to speak Ukrainian then here we will speak only Russian," he said. "If in Kiev people have revolted against their government then why can't people in Sevastopol?"

Contributing: Jabeen Bhatti in Berlin; Katharine Lackey in McLean, Va.; The Associated Press

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Shooting at extended stay hotel in Lilburn

Lilburn, GA-  Gwinnett County police are investigating a shooting that happened just after noon at the Intown Suites on Hwy 78.

Witnesses staying at the hotel say they heard a series of loud noises that they later learned were gunshots and found a man lying on the second floor balcony.

Police identified the victim as 50 year old Vincent Newsome.

Jason Burnett and his wife Leila tried to help the Newsome.

"I just told him to stay still and help was on the way. Seeing him there was really upsetting, I've never seen anyone shot," said Lelia Burnett.

Police say Newsome was out in the parking lot of the Intown Suites washing and detailing a friend's car. 

"Newsome took a break and went to his room on the second floor.  When he was headed back down someone attacked him there in the breezeway," said Sgt. Brian Doan.

At least one person thinks they saw the suspect as he ran moments after the shooting and gave a description to police.

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Justin Bieber bodyguard, driver arrested in Sandy Springs

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- Authorities say that a bodyguard and a driver for Justin Bieber were arrested after allegedly stealing a photographer's camera Tuesday in Sandy Springs.

According to Sandy Springs police, the pop star had rented out the Sandy Springs Funhouse Arcade on Roswell Road. A bodyguard, identified as 32-yar-old Hugo Hesny, warned a photographer that he was too close. 

A confrontation ensued, according to police, and the photographed tried to leave. The bodyguard caught up to him, grabbed his camera and put in an Escalade, police said. The bodyguard told the driver, 49-year-old Terrance Johnson, to return to the place where Bieber is staying.

As the Escalade was pulling into the home, a Sandy Spring police officer stopped it and recovered the camera. Hesny and Johnson were taken into custody and charged with felony theft.

The camera was valued at $10,000, according to police.

Bieber was not part of the incident, police said.

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Winter Weather Returns to Georgia

Winter isn't over yet!  A blast of cold air moves in during the day Wednesday.  Our temperatures go from above average to below average.  We had a little taste of spring fever this weekend as temperatures Sunday where near 70.  We stayed above average Monday and Tuesday.  We will be well below average Wednesday.  The cold air is the main thing that will affect everyone, but some folks will have a slight chance of seeing some snow.

Snow chances: The chances for snow are very low for areas of north Georgia.  The moisture with this front is pretty limited.  As always, it's the race between the moisture moving out and the cold air moving in.  Some parts of northwest Georgia from Rome to Ellijay northwestward have the better chances of seeing some flurries.  We only expect very minor accumulations overnight.  The temperatures will remain above freezing at the surface, so we don't expect any travel issues.  In the northeast Georgia mountains, we don't expect much moisture at all.  There is a chance for a few flurries to shake out of the clouds with minor accumulations in the highest elevations.

Temperature drop:  The bigger story with this system is the really cold air moving in.  After being near 70 Sunday and highs in the 60s Monday and today, we will drop to a high of 48 degrees on Wednesday.  It will also be breezy with winds from the NW at 10-20mph with some higher gusts at times.  It will get even colder Wednesday night into Thursday morning.  We will wake Thursday morning with temperatures in the mid 20s.  Thursday afternoon we climb to 50 with plenty of sunshine.  We drop back to the upper 20s by Friday morning.  We will warm back to the low 60s by Saturday. That would be just at average.

We will continue to watch this moisture as it pushes in overnight.  More updates to come. 

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Pre-schooler dials 911 to save injured father's life

Elisha Powers, 4, learned how to unlock a smart phone and call 911 for help.

ROCKDALE CO., Ga. -- Here's a question for parents and grandparents of pre-school children:

Have you tried to teach them, yet, how -- and when -- to unlock your cell phones or smart phones and dial 911?

The Powers family of Rockdale County learned it's never too early for a child to learn how to call for help.

"She did great," said the dad, Shawn Powers, Tuesday.  "She definitely saved my life."

The lifesaver is the elder daughter, Elisha Powers, who just turned four.

Last week -- when she was still three -- her dad was out back cutting up a tree that had fallen in the ice storm.  He was using his machete on some branches.  He accidentally cut his right arm near the wrist -- his artery, nerves, tendons.

The mom, Andrea Powers, was at work.  The neighbors were not at home.

Shawn ended up sitting on the front porch with Elisha and her younger sister, Elaina.  He was trying to stop the bleeding with his left hand, and unable to pick up the phone with either hand to call 911.

But he and his wife had taught Elisha how to do it.

"I knew she was my only option," Shawn said, "my last option, basically."

Sitting on the front porch Tuesday evening with her father, Elisha demonstrated for a visitor:

"I press this button [to unlock the phone], and press 9, and 1 and 1...."  She made sure, during her demonstration, not to press "green" button that she knows completes the call.

"I put [the phone] in Daddy's ear and then he talked to the police and then I was crying.  And then I was really brave."

On the 911 call, Keosha Gibbs-Lucas, a 911 communications officer with Rockdale County 911, calmly and effectively keeps Shawn talking as he is fighting to slow the bleeding.

Gibbs-Lucas reassures Shawn several times that two ambulances are on the way.

"I have two little girls with me and they're pretty scared," he tells Gibbs-Lucas.  "My four-year-old's actually holding the phone for me.  I couldn't call."

And that's how Elisha Powers saved her dad's life.

"She did great," Shawn said.  "I mean, she was very calm the whole time.  I could see her, she was tearing up and everything, but she wasn't crazy crying, screaming and everything.  It's like she knew there was something important that she had to do and she was going to do it."

While they were waiting for the ambulances, Shawn is heard on the 911 call talking to Elisha as she is holding the phone to his ear:  "Thank you, Elisha, you're being very brave."

As Shawn sat on the front porch Tuesday evening, his rambunctious daughters running in and out of the news interview, and Andrea just off to the side, Shawn recalled Elisha's resolve.

"I remember her saying, 'I don't want to lose my daddy, I don't want to lose my family,' it's like she knew this was a way that she could help me.  So I was really, really proud of her."

On the 911 call, about nine minutes after the call began, Shawn hears the ambulance sirens, and he tells Elisha, "Baby, that's them.  You hear 'em?  They're close, okay?  They're almost here."

Elisha asks Shawn if the people who are coming are going to make him better.

"Yeah, they're going to put a bandage on it, Baby.  Okay?"

Tuesday evening, Shawn said that right after the accident he thought for a moment that he might die.

"There was a split second where I thought, when I was bleeding and I didn't know what my options were, it's like, 'Well, is this going to be it, am I going to just die right here?  I have to survive for these two.  I have to be there for them.'"

Shawn paused and took a deep breath.

"So, luckily, she was there for me."

Andrea Powers said she and Shawn taught Elisha last December how to unlock their smart phones and call 911.

"Just get the word out to parents that it's never too early to teach your child how to call for help if it's needed," Andrea said.

She smiled, fighting back tears.

"Praise the Lord, Shawn's alive.  He's well.  And our family's still a family."

Shawn Powers said doctors are telling him that his arm should heal in six to eight months.

They won't let him work until then.

He had just started a new job, and his benefits have not kicked in, yet.

A fund has been set up to help the family pay for Shawn's medical expenses. Click here to help.

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DeKalb Police searching for two missing children

DEKALB COUNTY, GA - Police in DeKalb County are searching for two children missing since Friday afternoon. 

Ten-year-old Nathaniel Hodge and 12-year-old Darryl Hodge were last seen near the Kroger on Flat Shoals Parkway in the Ellenwood area. Police say they live in that neighborhood, near Flakes Mill and River Road. 

Family members say the boys ran away, and may be either on foot or on bicycle. 

Nathaniel Hodge is 4'11" and 90 pounds with low-cut black hair and brown eyes. He's wearing a multi-colored backpack with one strap. 

Darryl Hodge is 5'4" and 100 pounds, with low-cut hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue and black backpack with two straps. 

If you've seen them, please call police immediately. 

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Villa Rica Police arrests 3 following shootout

VILLA RICA, Ga. -- Villa Rica Police Chief Michael Mansour says officers responding to a report of shots fired arrested three men Friday evening.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found two men in a car near the road. The officers arrested the pair, then, they said they saw another individual in the woods, who fired a gun at officers. The officers returned fire.

Mansour said up to a dozen shots were fired, but that no one was hit.

The officers chased the man and after a brief stand-off, took him into custody.

All three men were taken to the Villa Rica Police Station and were being interviewed Friday night. Mansour says some charges will be filed, but did not indicate what charges were tied to which suspect.

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Man blogs about 20 hours stuck in car

ATLANTA -- What do you do when you're stuck in your car for more than 20 hours? How do you pass the time?

As snow paralyzed the city for most of Tuesday and Wednesday, many Atlantans were forced to learn the answer to that question this week.

But one Kennesaw man decided to get creative; stuck for nearly 20 hours on I-75, Dennis Kast whipped out his smart phone, took a series of pictures and blogged about his experience.

"I decided to write this to show the world what really happened," he wrote. "From the belly of the best, from the core of the problems."

Kast wanted to make people understand what it was like for drivers to spend the night in their cars.

"Everybody was stuck in the same situation, so everybody was helping everyone else," he told 11Alive's Blayne Alexander.

In two days, Kast says his blog has gotten nearly 13 thousand hits. 

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Hundreds of students stuck at school for the night

Children across the metro are having to spend the night in school as school buses couldn't drive on the roads.

Students in Marietta, Cherokee County, Atlanta and Paulding County were some of the ones who had to stay sheltered in their schools.

About 500 students in Paulding County were stuck at the elementary, middle and high schools.

About 1,300 Douglas County students are sheltering in place.  Other people driving in Douglas County and got stuck on the roads walked to the schools and are spending the night there.

VIDEO | Stutton Middle School students stranded at school
VIDEO | Kids stuck at North Paulding High

According to the Cherokee County schools, roads are too bad to continue to send children home.

School spokesperson Carrie McGowan issued the following statement:

Due to buses being stranded by weather, traffic or impassible roads, the Superintendent has authorized the Transportation Department to temporarily suspend bus services-Until our roads are made safer, it isn't prudent to continue to put students on buses at this time. Students who are at school will remain there safely; a parent or guardian can pick their child up if they are able to travel. Schools will be in direct communication with parents of those students still in their care and are prepared to shelter students as necessary this evening. School buses currently in service on a route will be attempting to complete those routes and deliver students.

WATCH HERE

More Winter Storm Coverage:
- Latest video and road conditions around the metro
- PHOTOS: Winter storm dumps inches of snow across Atlanta
- Latest schools closings and delays for Wednesday
- 11Alive's Weather Apps

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