Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Eagle Rock Girl Lived In Home That Reeked Of Poop, Dad Accused Of Selling Fake Drugs

An Eagle Rock man and his girlfriend face child abuse charges after keeping their 11-year-old daughter in filthy living conditions in a home where they sold Mexican candy as heroin.Thomas Casillas, 38, and Vanessa Hidalgo, 36, were arrested March 18 from their home on the 4700 block of Eagle Rock Boulevard after police found ammunition, drug paraphernalia including methamphetamine pipes and what they believed to be heroin, Glendale News-Press reports. It turns out those rocks were Mexican candy, Casillas told officers.
It’s no wonder that Casillas had apparently been receiving text messages that said his stuff was “weak.”
The couple’s 11-year-old daughter was taken into protective custody, given the living conditions. Glendale police spokeswoman Tahnee Lightfoot said the house was in “complete disarray and smelled of urine and feces and rotting food.”
Casillas has been convicted before of possessing drugs for sale and carrying a loaded firearm, court records revealed. Hidalgo was convicted of child abuse in 2001 and was on probation for her role in a 2008 gang-related shooting, detectives said.
The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges from last week’s arrest. They’re scheduled for a preliminary hearing April 2.
Parents Arrested For Child Endangerment After Girl, 11, Found Living In Filthy Conditions: http://t.co/iItM4TnZ93 pic.twitter.com/gxxVjuAj2R
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) March 27, 2014
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.