With a high fever. Did the doctor go too far, reporting the parents for not taking their son to the hospital . President trumps new attack on obamacare. The president now says if the Supreme Court strikes down the law, hell have a plan thats far better. But is there even a plan . The deadly fight in a fifth grade classroom. The victim, a 10yearold girl. And the defense attorney suckerpunched during a hearing. The prisoner sneaking up from behind, dealing a violent blow. The latest on her condition. Good evening. Its great to have you with us on a busy wednesday night. Cecilia vega, in for david. We begin withplea, james fields admitting to 29 federal hate crime charges. He was already convicted in state court for murdering Heather Heyer after plowing his car into a crowd in august of 2017. He pleaded not guilty earlier, so why has he changed his plea . Kyra phillips leads us off. Reporter tonight, the guilty plea to 29 hate crimes in federal court. James fields ran his car into protesters, killing one and injuring dozens more. He was convicted of 29 of 30 counts, changing his initial plea as part as a deal with prosecutors, who said they would not pursue the death penalty. We believe this vindicated our interests in protecting the civil rights of the victims, and we believe it vindicated to the extent you can ever vindicate the tragic loss of life. Reporter last year, he was convicted of first degree murder in state court. The jury recommending life in prison. I do think theres blame on both sides. Reporter the mother of Heather Heyer speaking out today. I dont like the fact that my daughter was the sacrifice. But sadly, it took a white girl dying before anybody paid attention to civil rights around here. The civil rights battle has gone on for the black community for 400 years now. And we didnt pay attention. Kyra, we just heard heyers mom. She said she does not want the death penalty. It seems prosecutors listened. Reporter yes, according to the fbi, weve seen a dramatic spike in the number of hate crimes in the u. S. , an increase of 17 from 2016 to 2017. As for fields, hes expected to be sentenced july 3rd, and likely spending the rest of his life in prison. Thank you. Next to another guilty plea, in wisconsin. Jake patterson pleading guilty to murdering the parents of jayme closs and holding her prisoner for 88 days. Tonight, his parting words for jayme as he left the courtroom. Heres gio benitez. Reporter tonight, jake patterson, the man who abducted 13yearold jayme closs, killed her parents, and held her captive for months, pleading guilty to his crimes, while fighting back tears. How do you plea to that charge . Guilty. Reporter as hes led away in cuffs, you can see that he tells the courtroom. Bye, jayme. Even though shes not there. Jayme had escaped pattersons rural cabin after being held for 88 days, finding help. I have a young lady at my house right now and she says her name is jayme closs. Reporter she told investigators she was barricaded under his bed for up to 12 hours at a time with no food, water, or bathroom breaks. When asked why he did it, patterson wrote to a reporter, in a handwritten letter, this was mostly on impulse. I dont think like a serial killer. He told police he spotted her at the bus stop, and decided she was the one to kidnap. The parting words so chilling. Gio, what sentence does patterson now face . Reporter he faces up to life in prison. Wisconsin does not have the death penalty. He will be sentenced at the end of may. Thank you. And next to the decision to drop all charges against Jussie Smolle reviewing the circumstances around the dismissal. And the top prosecutor now speaking out, defending the decision. But chicagos mayor, still livid. Alex perez is in chicago. Reporter facing fierce backlash, chicagos top prosecutor tonight defending that bombshell decision by her office to drop all charges against Jussie Smollett. Our office handles cases like this, class four felonies, disorderly conduct, in this way often. Many of them with similar outcomes. That is in no way an indication by this office that he is not guilty of the crime hes accused of. Reporter kim foxx recused herself from the case days before smolletts arrest because shed been in contact with smolletts family and friends. Text and email messages show foxx tried to get the case turned over to the fbi, which was what the family wanted. Before smollett was considered a suspect, she texted, i make no guarantees, but im trying. I talk to victims and victims families all the time. Unlike other victims i talk to, they dont often go from victim to suspect. Reporter but tonight the police union wants foxx investigated by the department of justice. The citys mayor today demanding answers too. You have the States Attorney Office saying hes not exonerated. He actually did commit this hoax. Hes saying hes innocent and his words are true. They better get their story straight. Because this is actually making a fool of all of us. Reporter as for Jussie Smollett, his attorney telling george on gma the two men told who told police they staged the attack were simply his trainers. If the brothers are saying he helped them stage this attack, youre saying the brothers are lying . Absolutely. Theyre not telling the truth. No. Reporter a formter attorney for the brothers says they told the truth. And theres a review of the decision to drop charges in the case . Reporter yes, were learning from Law Enforcement sources just a short time ago that the fbi is now reviewing the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of those charges against smollett. Alex, thank you. Well turn next tonight to boeings full court press to regain trust after the crash of two 737 max passenger jets. Planes grounded around the world as they ready a software fix. It will need faa approval. But tonight, regulators themselves are under fire. David kerley is in Washington State tonight. Reporter tonight, as two boeing 737s were rolling off this line, boeings allout pitch to get the grounded fleet back in the air. The 737 is a safe airplane. The 737 family is a safe airplane family. Reporter 200 airline officials, pilots, and regulators here at boeing in the simulator. Even boeings ceo learning about the new Software Upgrade to the latest 737. Both brand new maxes that crashed nosed up and down dramatically right after takeoff. In the first crash, bad data triggered an antistall system which the pilots fought, but didnt shut off before crashing. Boeings Software Upgrade will make it harder for that system to initiate, and easier for pilots to recover and pull back the control column. But the two crashes, the way the original system was designed and approved, are raising questions on capitol hill. Is boeing scrutinized enough by its regulator, the faa . Faa has authority complete authority currently to exercise proper responsibility. Are they too cozy . Are they too cozy . Thats my pointed question. David, boeing is still building the planes, even though they cant sell them. When will they be back in the air . Reporter big question. You can see the planes are being stored here. The software has to be installed, and then the pilots need to be trained. It could be a week and a half or longer. Thank you. And next, police in arizona showing up with a court order to remove a 2yearold with a high fever after the doctor called family services. Tonight, the parents are speaking out. Heres matt gutman. Reporter when police kicked down this door, their target wasnt a fugitive, but a feverish 2yearold. But hours earlier, sarah beck had taken their sick child to this clinic. The doctor advised them to head straight to the e. R. The 2yearold had a fever of 105. But sarah beck claimed her son who has had no vaccines, improved minutes later. I take his temperature and its 102. Reporter when they didnt show up to the e. R. , their doctor called the department of child safety. The Police Report States Police first knocked, spoke with the father on the phone, and when he refused to comply, they moved in because the child had a potentially lifethreatening fever and illness. Inside, Authorities Say the house was a mess, and police discovered the couples daughters were sick too. One of the girls said she had thrown up in her bed. And in the parents room, officers discovered a shotgun was lying next to the bed, against the wall, and was not locked or secured. When this happened back in february, the police say there was a present danger that required immediate action. Thank you. Next to President Trumps surprise move to end obamacare once and for all. Republicans are now divided, too, including some within the president s even administration. Heres jonathan karl. Reporter today, President Trump made it Crystal Clear he is allin on the legal effort to completely terminate obamacare, including its most popular protections for middle class americans. I understand health care now, especially, very well. A lot of people dont understand it. We are going to be, the republicans, the party of great health care. Reporter but republicans in congress were blindsided by the move, which was opposed by some key players in his own administration, including from the departments of justice and health and human services. We have a lawsuit right now going where phase one of the lawsuit terminates obamacare, essentially terminates obamacare. And if the Supreme Court rules that obamacare is out, we will have a plan that is far better than obamacare. Reporter in fact, there is no plan. And if the courts agree to strike down obamacare, insurance for millions of americans could be in jeopardy. Nearly 13 Million People got coverage under obamacares medicaid expansion. More than 2 million young adults are covered because of the provision allowing them to stay on their parents plans. And an estimated 52 Million People with preexisting conditions are guaranteed coverage. In congress, republicans are worried about the political repercussions of doing away with obamacare without replacing it. If he has some good ideas for improving the aca or our system of health care in this country, then those initiatives need to be put forth first. Reporter and democrats are sounding the alarm. This is the peoples life and death. This is health care. Its ridiculous. Its ridiculous what theyre doing. Jon, a lot of people wondering about the timing on this one. The president was riding high this week in the wake of the mueller report, then he changed the subject himself. Reporter a Senior Administration official says this was related to a courtimposed deadline. But there is real concern among some of the president s key allies about doing this now. In fact, im told that one Top Republican leader in Congress Called the president directly to say that he should hold off until the white house has a plan to replace those obamacare protections. Jon, thank you. Were going to turn now to the growing outrage over the Trump Administrations plan to Special Olympics. Betsy devos saying its not a federal program. But some members of Congress Call the move apalling. Heres terry moran. Reporter for more than 50 years, the Special Olympics have been part of a revolutionary movement, putting people with intellectual disabilities front and center, in a new light on the world stage. For decades, the government supported the games. But now the Trump Administration wants to eliminate all federal funding. I still cant understand why you would go after disabled children in your budget. You zero that out. Its appalling. Reporter on capitol hill, education secretary betsy devos under fire. Asked how many Young Athletes would be impacted we had to make some difficult decisions with this budget. Again, this is a question on how many kids, not about the budget. I dont know the number of kids. Its 272,000 kids. Let me just say i think Special Olympics is an awesome organization, one that is well supported by the philanthropic sector as well. Reporter the 17. 6 million the games receive from the government is a tiny fraction of trumps proposed 4. 75 trillion budget proposal. But it represents a significant chk of t scial o annual revenue. And some charities did get federal support from this administration. The Jack Nicklaus Childrens Hospital in miami would get 20 million. Nicklaus is a golfing buddy of the president s. Terry, tonight, lawmakers from both parties are making it clear, the Special Olympics will not lose its federal funding . Reporter absolutely. Leaders in both parties are saying this funding wont get eliminated. Partly because of that support, and also because cutting it wont make a dimes worth of difference in the deficit the administration has run up. Thank you. And british Prime Minister teresa may saying she will step down if Parliament Approves her plan. The deadline was friday, but the eu has given them a few more weeks. Still ahead on world news tonight, the fight in a fifth grade classroom that left a 10yearold girl dead. Ang angry parents demanding answers. And the lawyer suckerpunched. News on her conditions. And the volcano sending ash and smoke into the air. Tourists told to stay back. Back. To inspire confidence through style. Im working to make connections of a different kind. Im working for beauty that begins with nature. To treat every car like i treat mine. 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Next tonight, the deadly fight in a fifth grade classroom in South Carolina. A 10yearold girl dying in the hospital. Another child involved in the fight has been suspended. Heres linsey davis. Reporter tonight, a heartbroken family is struggling to understand how this 10yearold little girl died as a result of injuries sustained during a classroom fight. It happened at Forest Hills Elementary School in South Carolina on monday. According to police, Raniya Wright was involved in an altercation with another fifth grade girl. Raniyas injuries so severe, she was left unresponsive and in critical condition, then pronounced dead today. Her family has set up this gofundme page. The Colleton County School District released this statement calling it a tremendous loss, describing raniya as a wonderful student who loved being a big sister. Officials say there were no weapons used in the altercation. An autopsy is scheduled for friday morning. The other child in the fight is now suspended pending investigation. Thank you. When we come back, the punch the attorney never saw coming. And tonights powerball now at 750 million and counting. So, what are your odds . Well tell you, coming up. Month after month, the clock is ticking on irreversible joint damage. Ongoing pain and stiffness are signs of joint erosion. Humira can help stop the clock. Prescribed for 15 years, humira targets and blocks a source of inflammation that contributes to joint pain and irreversible damage. Vo humira can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious and sometimes fatal infections including tuberculosis, and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened, as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. Tell your doctor if youve been to areas where certain fungal infections are common, and if youve had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flulike symptoms or sores. 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Public defender julie chase there, suckerpunched from behind. A prisoner hitting her in the head, knocking her to the ground. Deputies restraining the inmate. Chase was taken to the hospital and released. Authorities say there was no motive for the attack. To mexico, and the explosive volcano erupting for the second time in less than a week. Outside mexico city, plumes of ash and smoke there in the sky. Debris scattered for nearly two miles. Visitors warned to keep at least seven miles away. No one was injured. And, have you bought your tickets yet . Tonights powerball jackpot, worth at least 750 million. The fourth largest in u. S. History. The lump sum payout, more than 465 million. All right, now, the bad news. The odds of hitting the jackpot, 1 in 292 million. Good luck with that. When we come back, the american war hero and his splitsecond decision that saved lives. Feel the clarity of nondrowsy claritin and relief from symptoms caused by over 200 indoor and outdoor allergens. 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Finally tonight, its america strong. The iraq war hero who sacrificed his own life to save his fellow soldie soldiers, today receiving the highest honor. Reporter Trevor Oliver says his true treasure in life is what people say about his father. And tonight the military is saying the most admirable things, awarding him the medal of honor, which trevor came to washington to collect. I want him to be remembered as the best father, and the best solder than anyone could ask for. Reporter he was just 11 years old in this heartbreaking photo, after a suicide bombers vest took his dads life in iraq. Staff Sergeant Travis atkins from montana, and three other soldiers, were searching a group of suspected terrorists in june of 2007. Was able to apprehend one of them, but when he grabbed ahold of him, he realized he was wearing a suicide vest. Reporter Sergeant Atkins was holding the man down in the dirt. Only he could see the suicide vest of explosives that would have taken the lives of all three of his men, but only took his. The medal is something that i take a lot of pride in. But its the words that are the real prize. Reporter steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. An amazing father and heroic soldier. Thank you for watching tonight. Im cecilia vega. We hope to see you right back here tomorrow. A toxic climate in that school. All we want is for our son to be able to go to School Without having to lookoff h over his shoulder. A High School Closed after receiving a threat of violence and is this not the first time. Good afternoon. Thanks for joining us. Vanden High School Officials were made aware of the threat yesterday and closed the school as a precaution. Unser hudson live with the details. Reporter it is an empty parking lot, no one allowed on campus today. I spoke with the superintendent and they dont want anyone to interfere with the investigation. As for the graffiti on the llpa, Fairfield Police spent much of the day investigating a threat of violence made tuesday. In cooperation with the Fairfield Police department, we began an investigation to determine the credibility and origin of the threat. Reporter the district is remaining tight lipped saying they dont want to to jeopardize their investigation. Meanwhile in san francisco, the parents of a black student are speaking out about another incident, this time racial and homophobic graffiti targeting their son found at the same school. We told the principal that we wanted the criminals removed from the school because they still had access to our son. They said they could not do that. They were suspended for five days for vandalism. Not a hate crime. Reporter edwardusll says march hs painted o spos fields trump. The graffiti has since been sandblasted on off. He says his family met with the superintendent tuesday, but she refuses to
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