Bonnie L. Wilder Mills

Two Coffee County residents have been charged with TennCare fraud in separate cases, both involving prescription drugs.
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced the arrest of Bonnie L. Wilder Mills, 34, and Adam J. Lane, 21, both of Manchester. The arrests were assisted by the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office and the Manchester Police Department.
An indictment charges Mills with one count of TennCare fraud, in connection with using TennCare benefits to obtain Vyvanse, a stimulant used to treat attention deficit disorder, while planning to sell a portion of the drug.

Adam J. Lane

Adam Lane is charged in an indictment with one count of TennCare fraud for using TennCare benefits to pay a portion of the cost for a prescription of Adderall, an amphetamine similar to Vyvanse. Charges say Lane also planned to sell a portion of the prescription.
“These kinds of prescription drugs are extremely beneficial when used to treat the disorders they’re intended to treat,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “But prescription drugs become extremely harmful when they’re sold on the street to anyone in our communities, and we are out to stop that activity when TennCare is involved.”
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony, carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General C. Michael Layne will prosecute these cases.
Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read “Report TennCare Fraud.

A female Fort Campbell solider was injured Tuesday around noon when her Jeep Liberty overturned near mile marker 104 on I-24. According to Tennessee Highway Patrol Sgt. Larry Fraley, the Jeep rolled, and she was transported to a Manchester hospital. The female driver was the only person in the vehicle and, the Jeep was the only automobile involved.

Kenneth L. Todd

The Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate Kenneth L. Todd. Todd is currently under indictment for fraud, forgery and theft over $500.00. Todd allegedly generated checks via a computer carrying the name of the Franklin County School Board and has passed them on more than one occasion in this area. Todd was last seen Wednesday August the 8th at Ashley’s Market on highway 64. Investigators also believe Todd has committed the same offense in Georgia, Alabama and parts of Florida. Todd is believed to be a white/male approximately 6’2 tall and approximately 205lbs. and is possibly driving a dark colored Dodge Caravan with an Alabama license tag. Anyone having information concerning Todd’s location may contact Investigator Nick Watson at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office 931-962-0123 ext. 2112 or Crime Stoppers at 931-962-INFO.

Between 1998 and 2010, 32 children in Tennessee died from heat-related causes, with 13 of those fatalities occurring in vehicles. Last month alone, three children died. As the searing heat of summer continues, the Tennessee Department of Health is reminding residents and visitors to increase their efforts to prevent deaths from heat stroke in cars, trucks and SUVs.

Heat stroke can occur when a person’s temperature exceeds 104 degrees F and his or her ability to handle heat is overwhelmed. The first symptoms include dizziness, disorientation and sluggishness, followed by loss of consciousness, hallucinations and rapid heartbeat. When the body’s core temperature reaches 107 degrees F, internal organs often stop functioning.

A study by the San Francisco State University Geoscience Department looked at how quickly heat can rise in a vehicle. To investigate heat build-up, researchers used a dark blue mid-size sedan with a grey interior, with the windows slightly cracked open and ambient temperatures between 72 and 96 degrees F. The temperature increase inside the car was 19 degrees in 10 minutes, 29 degrees in 20 minutes, 34 degrees in 30 minutes, 43 degrees in 60 minutes and between 45 and 50 degrees in two hours.

The Tennessee Department of Health offers these safety suggestions to prevent hyperthermia deaths:

• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle.
• If you see a child left unattended in a hot vehicle, call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Place a stuffed animal in the child safety seat. When you place your child in the seat, move the stuffed animal to the front seat with you. The stuffed toy will remind you about the child in the seat.
• Always lock your car to make sure children cannot get inside while it is unattended.
• If a child is missing, check swimming pools and bodies of water first, then nearby cars and trucks, including trunks or other spaces that appear to be locked.
• Place your briefcase, purse or keys beside the child safety seat, so you have to go to the seat before leaving the vehicle and entering a building.
• Tape a reminder note to your dashboard; the National Weather Service motto is excellent for this: “Beat the heat, check the back seat!”

If anyone ever sees a baby alone in a hot car, don’t be concerned a parent might get mad about you dialing 9-1-1. The parent might consider you a lifesaver.