Dad's nonprofit keeps daughter's memory alive

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- In 2010, Mark Rodriguez lost his 22-year-old daughter, Krysta. She was killed by someone who was driving while intoxicated in the dark without headlights.

According to Krysta's family, the driver's blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit. He was sentended to eight years in prison in April 2011.

The tragedy led the victim's father to start an organization named "Krysta's Karing Angels."

The nonprofit's mission is to provide support to families affected by drunk driving. They also take mangled vehicles from DWI crashes to schools, universities and other events to demonstrate that drinking and driving can kill.

Since its inception as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Krysta's Karing Angels has provided financial assistance to families and donated to two scholarship programs where the families lost a loved one to a drunk driver.

Today from 4 to 8pm, the nonprofit will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser called "Krys-Miss in September" at Caliber Collision at Katy Mills Mall on Interstate 10 at Pin Oak Road.

Spaghetti plates with salad, bread and a drink will be sold for $10 to adults and $5 to kids.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Houston Police Department's BAT Van will be there, plus a moonwalk, raffles, crashed cars and more.

For more information about Krysta's Karing Angels, visit www.kristascaringangels.com.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Former non-profit employee with thousands of porn images gets prison

  HOUSTON -- A Houston man who had more than 17,000 child pornography images and videos has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison.

A federal judge in Houston on Friday sentenced 64-year-old Christopher Clark Pollett. Pollett in November pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in a 2010 case.

Investigators say Pollett worked for Neighborhood Centers Inc. The nonprofit group deals with community development and after-school programs. Organization officials did not immediately comment Friday.

The FBI in June 2010 searched Pollett's home. Authorities say several computers, film reels, books and binders had thousands of images of children. About 17,000 digital images and 400 child porn videos were located.

Pollett must also pay $21,000 in restitution to three child victims and a $7,800 fine. Further details on the victims weren't released.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Local woman launches national non-profit program to help kids with autism

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- New research shows the number of children being diagnosed with autism and mental illness is going up. Therapy would help many of them, but few families can afford it.

Now, a Houston-area woman has launched a national non-profit program to provide financial help for those families, and she has made sure the money is easy to qualify for.

Three-year-old Yakser Syed's parents noticed when he was about two that his speech was delayed, and he wasn't properly responding to their calls. Still, they were surprised when he was later diagnosed with autism. Now he's seeing a behaviorist at the Varidian Center and making huge strides, but at an enormous cost.

"It's over $2,000 a month that I'm having to pay out of pocket, and so it's definitely been a big hit on us financially having to provide for this type of therapy but the progress that Yasker has made with it, it makes it so worth it," said his mother, Saba Syed.

The Syeds did get some financial help for their son's therapy from Dr. Layla Salek, a behaviorist who herself grew up in a home with a mentally ill parent. So she says she understands how deeply the wounds reach when autism, mental illness or other issues aren't properly assessed and treated with occupational therapy, speech remediation, and family education and support.

But it was quite by accident that she found a way to link her hobby with her work.

"I just serendipitously one day started talking pictures of toys in my daughter's playroom and I loved them and I sat there and tried to figure out what can I do," Dr. Salek said.

What she did was turn the photos into clothing -- onesies and T-shirts made of organic cotton -- which she sells in a few Houston-area stores and the proceeds fund her charity, Susie Bean. Susie Bean selects behaviorists with proper certification and training to partner with them by referring clients who need help. One hundred percent of the profits are made available to clients. Erin Breen is one of four service providers in our community linked with Susie Bean.

"It was such a simple process. I just filled out the application, talked to the family and she sent me the check and so it was absolutely wonderful," Breen said.

Dr. Salek hopes to make financial help available in cities all over the country. Her organization is on the forefront addressing a national challenge.

"Autism is on the national epidemic list, so for insurance just to decide they're not going to cover this that's huge. And these families really need help and if we don't pay for it while they're little then we're going to pay for it as a society later on," Dr. Salek said.

The Syeds offer their story as proof of the potential therapy offers.

"Since he's so young and he has so much potential I want him to live a full, normal, independent life where he can take care of himself," Syed said.

If you would like to be a part of Susie Bean's fundraising efforts to help families, or if your family is in need of help, you can access their website.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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