San Jose: Woman convicted in daycare drowning deaths of two toddlers
A jury found Shahin Gheblehshenas, 67, guilty on three counts of criminal negligence resulting in death. In October 2023, two children — Lilian Hanan, 16 months, and Payton Cobb, 18 months — drowned in an unfenced backyard pool at her licensed home daycare, Happy Happy Daycare on Fleetwood Drive. Gheblehshenas had left the facility that day, leaving the children with her daughter. The daughter, Nina Fathizadeh, 43, previously pleaded guilty to ten counts. Both face more than 10 years in prison. Sentencing is set for May 22.
San Francisco: One dead in Portola neighborhood house fire
Firefighters responding to a residential fire on the 500 block of Dwight Street in San Francisco’s Portola district on the evening of March 25 found one person dead inside. The cause is under investigation. Preliminary findings point to the kitchen or living room as the origin. A neighboring structure sustained partial damage.
San Francisco police win approval to shoot GPS trackers at fleeing cars
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted March 24 to expand the StarChase pilot program. A launcher mounted on a patrol vehicle fires an adhesive GPS tracker onto a suspect’s car, replacing high-speed chases. In 2025, 17 of 22 activation attempts were successful. The program permits use without a warrant in “exigent circumstances” — a provision civil liberties groups say conflicts with the Fourth Amendment.
Judge fines San Francisco Public Defender’s office $26,000
A court held the San Francisco Public Defender’s office in contempt and imposed a $26,000 fine after the office refused to accept new cases, citing critical understaffing. The public defender maintains that without additional funding, adequate representation of defendants is impossible.
Foster City declares emergency after cyberattack on city systems
Foster City officials declared a state of emergency following an attack on municipal IT infrastructure. Some city services were knocked offline. Authorities are working with cybersecurity specialists and law enforcement.
San Francisco extends residential RV parking permits
The city renewed permits for hundreds of families living in RVs on public streets to prevent a mass sweep of vehicle dwellings. Many residents have been waiting years for placement in city-subsidized housing.
San Mateo: Woman convicted in death by illegal silicone injections
A San Mateo County jury returned a guilty verdict in the death of a local model and influencer described by local media as a “Bay Area Kim Kardashian lookalike.” The victim died following unlicensed silicone injections.
March heat wave pushes temperatures to 95°F inland
The Bay Area closed out nearly a week of unseasonable heat. Coastal areas saw highs near 80°F; San Jose and Concord reached the mid-90s. The National Weather Service issued heat advisories across most of the region.