Test results back in case of missing boy

Investigators have received the results of tests conducted on traces of blood found in the apartment of a father suspected in the disappearance of his son. Steve O'Connell, a spokesman for Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, said yesterday that he could not discuss the test results because the investigation is ongoing. However, he said prosecutors remain optimistic that the boy, 5-year-old Giovanni Gonzalez, is alive. Gonzalez was reported missing Aug. 17 by his mother. The father has been charged with child endangerment and is being held on $500,000 cash bail. Detectives who searched the father's home grew concerned after finding a bloody mop and traces of blood on a cap of a household cleaner. Those items were tested.

A 20-year-old man died from stab wounds he suffered just after 7 p.m. yesterday outside a home in Dorchester. The man, whose name was not released, was found outside 343 Geneva Ave. He was taken to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Police Homicide Unit is investigating. Also yesterday evening, a man suffered life-threatening injuries when he was shot outside 30 Algonquin St. in Dorchester. The victim, who was not identified, was taken to Boston Medical Center. His condition was unavailable last night.

Boston police have released the name of a man found dead on Monday morning inside a small public park in Dorchester. Police said Troy West, 40, of Dorchester had apparently been stabbed multiple times. His body was found when police were called to King Street Park at Adams and King streets about 8:05 a.m. Police asked anyone with information to call the homicide unit at 617-343-4470. People who want to remain anonymous can call 800-494-TIPS or text the word "TIP" to CRIME (27463).

A Fall River woman was ordered held without bail Tuesday at a hearing at Dorchester Municipal Court after it was decided she is too great a danger to be released prior to her upcoming trial. Sandra Howes, 42, is facing kidnapping and assault charges in connection with an incident on July 22 in which she was driving down Interstate 93 with a passenger screaming to get out of the vehicle. A police officer attempted to pull her car over, but Howes sped away from police and drove her vehicle into another and a police vehicle, according to the Suffolk district attorney's office. Howes was deemed able to assist in her own defense after an evaluation and will return to court in September.

Governor Deval Patrick announced Tuesday that $13.4 million will be distributed to about 500 fishermen and fishing businesses, money intended to help those hurt by federal rules that limit some fishermen to just 24 days of fishing each year. Qualified federal fishing permit holders will receive an average payment of $23,500 per boat. State permit holders will receive a subsidy of about $10,000 each. The state will also provide about $650,000 toward health insurance benefits for fishermen and their families. The Patrick administration has estimated a $22 million loss to the regional economy because of federal restrictions on catching cod, flounder, and other commercially valuable groundfish. (AP)

A teenage driver charged with fatally running over his high school wrestling teammate during a friendly race in Bolton has agreed to a plea deal. In Clinton District Court on Tuesday, David Hayden, 18, who had faced motor vehicle homicide charges, admitted to sufficient facts for a guilty finding on the lesser charge of driving negligently. Hayden's sentence includes four years of unsupervised probation, community service, and two years' loss of driver's license. Authorities say Hayden and two other Nashoba Regional High School teammates were racing DeMeo as he tried to shed weight before a match and gave him a head start on foot. The car caught up, and DeMeo jumped on the hood, with his feet hanging under the car. Authorities say Hayden speeded up, then braked, and DeMeo fell off and was run over. (AP)