VIRGINIA BRIEFING

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

FAIRFAX COUNTY

Woman Arrested in Scalding of Boy at Day-Care Center

A Fairfax County woman was arrested Friday after she allegedly scalded a 17-month-old boy with hot water while operating an unlicensed day-care center in her Springfield area home.

Police obtained a warrant charging Dixie Y. Cabrera-Ordonez, 34, with felony child abuse or neglect. On Wednesday afternoon, Cabrera-Ordonez was bathing the boy when she allegedly left him unattended and he was burned. Lucy Caldwell, a Fairfax police spokeswoman, said the boy was flown to Children's National Medical Center in the District with second-degree burns on his feet.

Police said Cabrera-Ordonez was watching about 10 children, all preschool age or younger, at her home in the 5700 block of Backlick Road.

-- Tom Jackman

11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Hunt Withdraws From Republican Race for Davis's Seat

Steve Hunt, a former member of the Fairfax County School Board, has decided to withdraw his name from consideration for the Republican nomination in the 11th Congressional District race in Northern Virginia.

That leaves Keith Fimian, an Oakton business owner favored by Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.), who will retire from the seat at the end of this term.

Although the seat is held by a Republican, the 11th District has increasingly leaned Democratic in recent elections. In a message to Republicans, Hunt said he did not want to hurt the GOP's chances in November.

-- Amy Gardner

LOUDOUN COUNTY

Trainer Indicted After Malnourished Horses Seized

A Loudoun County grand jury indicted horse trainer Dennis B. Danley yesterday on 48 counts of animal cruelty, a Class I misdemeanor, Commonwealth's Attorney James E. Plowman (R) said.

He faces up to a year in jail and $2,500 fine on each count. The charges were brought in connection with the seizure of four dozen thoroughbreds by Loudoun County officials Jan. 22 from a Middleburg area farm. The animals were found to be severely malnourished and without drinking water.

Danley said last night that he stopped working on the farm in November, owned no horses and is not responsible for their condition.

-- Jonathan Mummolo

U.S. DISTRICT COURT

Judge Will Leave Norfolk Post in May for Private Sector

A federal judge in Norfolk resigned yesterday to work for the law firm Jones Day.

U.S. District Judge Walter D. Kelley Jr. said in a letter to President Bush that he had "reluctantly concluded that my professional interests and the needs of my family are best met in the private sector." Kelley, who has served on the bench since 2004, said his resignation is effective May 16.

-- Jerry Markon