Protect yourself from ID theft by shredding documents

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houstonians took a step to protect themselves against identity theft by safely shredding their personal documents Saturday.

The city has teamed up with Data Shredding Services of Texas to provide sites where people can dispose of sensitive documents that shouldn't be tossed in the trash.

Saturday's event was held at the Houston Police Department Westside Station on South Dairy Ashford.

One pile of papers after another were handed over for shredding Saturday.

"Mostly credit card solicitation," Nancy Radecki said, telling us what she was having shredded. "Old credit cards, that kind of thing.

The city and DSS are providing this free service in hopes of curbing crimes like identity theft.

"People need to realize dumpster diving is the number one cause of identity theft now," said Scott Degrassi with DSS.

DSS estimates it will shred 20,000 to 30,000 pounds of documents this weekend alone, even allowing people to watch as their documents are securely destroyed.

"We have a shredder at home. It's just easier bringing it here," patron Katherine Bell said.

This was the first of many upcoming shredding events across Houston. They will be held monthly at different locations through August. Each event is a chance to protect yourself from crime.

If you were unable to make it Saturday, check out one of the following locations on the dates listed: May 19, 10am-2pm: HPD North Station, 9455 West Montgomery Rd. - Houston 77088June 23, 9am-1pm: Kingwood METRO Park and Ride, 3210 West Lake Houston Pkwy. - Kingwood 77339July 28, 9am-1pm: HPD Eastside Station, 7525 Sherman - Houston 77012August 11, 9am-1pm: HPD Clear Lake Station, 2855 Bay Area Blvd. - Houston 77058(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Court documents detail 4-year-old's alleged abuse

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A four-year-old girl was found unconscious in her family's apartment earlier this month. Now her mother and the mother's longtime roommate are both facing charges in connection with the girl's death. In fact, investigators say the girl showed signs of long-term abuse.

Autopsy results are still pending, but according to court documents, there are signs the girl may have suffered trauma for a long time. How a four-year-old girl died in a northwest Houston apartment on Sunforest Drive remains a mystery, but court documents Eyewitness News obtained are detailing disturbing signs of alleged abuse. "Nothing surprises me anymore," said a neighbor who identified herself only as Renna. Renna lives next door to where Betsobeth Sandoval was found unconscious back on June 3. She says there was always commotion next door. "I could hear a lot of screaming and yelling. But they spoke Spanish, so I couldn't ever understand what they were saying," Renna said. An arrest warrant for the child's mother, Maciel Sandoval, and babysitter Elida Herrera-Garcia shows police found bruises covering the little girl's arms and legs, stomach and backside. They say Betsobeth even had cuts on her fingers, chin, lips and appeared to be under-nourished. "You have children, you need to take care of your children, not abuse them," Renna said. The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office told police it also found fractured bones on the girl's body in different stages of healing. Police say the child's mother described the four-year-old as accident prone and very angry. Investigators say Garcia-Herrera told them they never took Betsobeth to the doctor because they didn't want Child Protective Services to take her away. Now both women are arrested and charged with failing to get the girl help. "I'm hoping for justice for the little girl. That's all I can say, you know," Renna said. Police have also questioned a 14-year-old boy who was present when the girl was found unconscious but there hasn't been any word on whether any charges have been filed against him. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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