Cbs 2s Steve Langford spoke with witnesses in elizabeth. Reporter with brutal force a manhole cover propelled skyward by a powerful explosion in this Business District wednesday in elizabeth. Underground electrical wires once again proving to be an incendiary mix with salt and rain and snow sparking one blast after the other here mid morning near elizabeth avenue and 7th street. Its looking like flames they come, the flames maybe about 6foot high and the smoke. A lot of smoke. Reporter the first came in at 10 10 a. M. After this manhole exploded, just as fire units were pulling up this manhole cover blasted into the air i stepped out of the vehicle and a manhole probably 20, 25 feet away shot right up in the air. It was a massive explosion. Reporter First Responders cleared people way quickly and evacuated some 20 buildings because of the real danger of getting killed by one of these. The Manhole Covers that were lifting off. Reporter whats more, Carbon Monoxide was detected forcing the urgent ventilation of many basements. Emergency utility workers out in force scrambling to ensure safety make repairs and get the power back on. Local businesses suffered. You see. Reporter no pedestrians or drivers were at or near these Manhole Covers when they detonated with such frightening force in elizabeth, new jersey, Steve Langford, cbs 2 news. The sentencing of a driver who killed a child as he walked to school is being called a slap on the wrist. The judge said he had no choice. Cbs 2s Carolyn Gusoff was in mineola with victims tearful parents. Its not enough. Its not enough. Six months is not enough. Reporter a sixmonth sentence for driving without a license, a misdemeanor, even though austin sal dano killed the mother told the judge laws must change. So her 12yearold son did not die in vain. Just came down to, you know, somebody being killed and that happened to be my son. He was great. [ crying ] he was great. Had the smile that lit up the room. Reporter the 7th grader struck and killed while walking to school in valley stream. The defendant license suspended after dangerous crimes. A 2011 conviction for dwi and unlicensed driving. A 2013 arrest for reckless driving, fleeing police, crashing into a troopers car. In 2014, running red lights driving drunk fleeing police hitting cars. His license then suspended but soldano drove again. His terrible decisions and driving led to the death. Prosecutors for stiffer penalties. The d. A. Would make it a felony punishable up to 7 years. The fact that we can get justice is sad. The penalties are minuscule. Reporter but the bill failed last year in the assembly. Soldano said nothing to reporters but in court, there are no words that can express how sorry i am, if i knew how to turn this into good, i would. I didnt believe it for one minute. Reporter the judge agreed the sentence is inadequate but included five years probation and an ignition lock to prevent drunk driving. Soldano could be out of jail and eligible to drive again in a year. In mineola, long island, Carolyn Gusoff, cbs 2 news. He was sentenced for a year in jail for a prior dwi. Where was her mother . Thats the question tonight in the case of a 2yearold Girl Found Dead in a house fire in brooklyn. The mother faces serious charges and investigators say she may have been out partying. Cbs 2s alice gainer live at reporter thats right, maurice. We are currently awaiting her arraignment. Neighbors say that 20yearold leila aquino worked as a stripper but she was not at work the other night. She was out partying with friends when the fire occurred. We have also learned that the administration for Childrens Services was alerted to aquino leaving her daughter home alone last week when she was out working. A disheveled looking woman says nothing and keeps her eyes and head down as she is led out of the 81st precinct in handcuffs charged with endangering the welfare of a child and Reckless Endangerment after her daughter, 2yearold kalenah muldrow, was found dead, alone under a bed in her charred home. Thats a sign of being scared right there. You found underneath your bed you didnt know whats going on. I can imagine the first thing she was looking for was her mother when she woke up. Wheres my mom . Reporter neighbors are shocked outside a growing memorial for the little girl. She looked like a happy mother. Reporter and judging by looked like a happy child. Happy birthday to you reporter this is video posted of the toddlers second birthday. But early Tuesday Morning hours after firefighters put out the flames at 755 monroe street in bedstuy, a hysterical aquino showed up looking for her child. Thats when they went back inside and found her body. Didnt know to look for anyone at the time. Then when she showed up, they went back inside and really searched further. Reporter aquino originally told police she left the child with a babysitter but later admitted the child was left alone with the tv on. Sources say that just last week, it was reported to the administration for Childrens Services that aquino was at work stripping and left her daughter at home alone. Police say she has four prior arrests dating back to 2011 for robbery with a weapon, false reporting of an incident and criminal possession of stolen property. Still under investigation. Sources tell us the fdny is conducting their own investigation as to why firefighters did not initially check under the beds. Its common practice for them to check under beds for children. Again, were waiting her arraignment. As soon as it happens, well bring you the very latest. Live tonight in downtown brooklyn, alice gainer, cbs 2 news. Such a tragedy, alice. Thank you. New at 5 00 now, a volunteer wrestling coach is accused of sexually assaulting a teenaged boy. Now police in three counties want to know if there are other victims. Cbs 2s dave carlin reports from Rockland County. Reporter parents are being asked to find out if their children had any suspicious alone time with 18yearold volunteer wrestling coach Marcus Stroud of nyack. You see him in this video wearing black and orange. From his Time High School wrestling in east ramapo p police say he sexually abused a young teenaged boy in a youth wrestling program. Police are careful to not inadvertently identify the young victim by giving his age he was in. Its alleged that the 18 yearold male suspect had basically, um, lured a young male into sexual acts through social media snapchat as well as some other forms of social media. Reporter stroud participated in programs with kids not only in rockland but also in westchester and bergen counties. Parents noticed messages dating back to months and went to police. Stroud is charged with felony criminal acts and several other charges and endangering the welfare of a child misdemeanor. Police say there are no signs of a prior criminal record perhaps nothing to red flag stroud before he was hired coaching kids. Its just very scary, you dont know who to trust. Theres not pump parents can do, you know . I mean, you know, they try to do the best to guide their kids the right way and watch over em, but theyre not in the locker room. They dont know they cant be standing behind their kid looking over their shoulder 24 hours a day. As a parent to really stay on top of what kind of social media activity your child is engaging in. Reporter bail for stroud was set at 100,000. He is in the Rockland County jail and due back in court friday morning. In clarkstown, Rockland County, dave carlin, cbs 2 news. Politics now. Despite growing opposition on capitol hill from senate republicans, president obama says he intends to fulfill his student duties and find a replacement for the Late Supreme Court justice antonin scalia. The president said today it would be difficult for Senate Majority leader Mitch Mcconnell to explain his decision not to the consider a nominee without appearing politically motivated. Sources say the white house is now vetting republican Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval as a possible nominee. Campaign 2016. New details on Donald Trumps blowout victory in nevada. A record 75,000 people took part in last nights caucuses. Thats more than twice the 33,000 who turned out in 2012. 84,000 who showed up for the democratic caucuses last saturday but that contest always draws more people in nevada. Cbs 2s dick brennan joins us now with more on the president ial race. Dick. Reporter kristine, trump of course broadened his front runner grip on the race. Polls said he even won the latino vote over marco rubio and ted cruz. But does very the momentum now to go all the way . We won with highly educated. We won with poorly educated i love the poorly educated reporter donald trump was so confident today after a big win in nevada last night he is now talking about who would be best for his vice president. I do want somebody thats political because i want to get lots of great legislation that we all want passed thats just sitting there including proper healthcare. Reporter the demanding victory by trump raises questions about whether anyone can stop him now. But second place finisher marco rubio says, the race is far from over. I think its important to take a deep breath here. First of all, the republican nomination is decided by delegates. Its over 1200 delegates you need to have. Were nowhere near that reporter trump has 81 delegates so far with rubio and cruz at 17 each. But super tuesday is the big prize, 595 delegates at stake. And cruz is hoping to carry his home state of texas. The governor endorsed him today. Its an honor to stand together with the governor of texas saying we got six days to lead in texas to lead the country so lets get to work. Reporter trumps family has taken center stage during the campaign and his wife told nbc they dont always see eye to eye. Do i agree all the time . Mmhm. With him . Mmhm. No, i dont. And i tell him that. I tell him my opinions. I tell him what i think. Sometimes he listens, sometimes he dont. Reporter ted cruz is leading in texas but trump is very close and could end up winning as many delegates as cruz there. Democrats vote in their South Carolina primary on saturday. Up next, well check back in with lonnie on the extremely windy weather were seeing tonight. Also tonight, other news, should kennedy cousin Michael Skakel go back to prison for a murder 40 years ago . The fight today in court. Video you have to see to believe. Why did this mans pockets suddenly explode . Health threat at the hospital how you are or a Family Member can avoid infections. I finished my masters degree five years ago and figured that was it. Yeah. Not. Parents being forced back to with homework connecticuts miest court is getting ready to weigh in on Michael Skakel goes free or goes back to prison for the murder of a teenaged neighbor in 1975. Cbs 2s lou young was in hartford in court when both sides made their cases. Reporter chasing a kennedy cousin on a cold connecticut sidewalk in time to see a hug from a wellwisher and fire off a quick question. Are you happy . But seems relieved at the end of an hour of arguments before the state Supreme Court here in hartford. Prosecutors want to put him back in prison for the murder they say he committed as a teenager the 1975 bludgeoning death of Martha Moxley in greenwich. He was convicted in 2002, 27 years after the fact, and freed from prison in 2015, on the grounds his celebrity lawyer Mickey Sherman botched his defense. The new Attorney Says he should have offered the defendants brother as an alternate killer of the teenaged neighbor both boys were interested in. The evidence that was before the habeas court leads to the inescapable conclusion that the probable killer was tommy skakel. Now, my client doesnt really want me to say that. Its his brother. Reporter the state scoffs at the idea that 1. 7 million in legal fees was wasted. This was a well planned, well thought out professional defense. Reporter the victims mother is equally unmoved. I am sure that michael is the young man who swung the golf club. Theres no doubt in my mind about that. Reporter not thomas. No. I dont i just i dont believe that, no. Reporter the states highest court can void the Lower Court Ruling and send Michael Skakel back to prison or uphold it and allow him to remain free, at which point prosecutors have to decide if they want to try him again 41 years after the Martha Moxley a heavy lift with diminishing chances of success. In hartford, connecticut, lou young, cbs 2 news. Thomas skakel the older brother was the original suspect in the case but Greenwich Police were never able to get an arrest warrant to prove it. The states attorney said not enough evidence. Some terrifying moments caught on camera. Surveillance video showing the man buying a snack at a gas station in kentucky and right there his right pocket suddenly bursts into flames he then runs outside trying to put out the fire. The store worker sprayed him with a fire extinguisher. The man says that the battery in his ecigarette exploded. He did have seconddegree burns on his legs. That was one of those videos youre like what . liar, liar . [ laughter ] is it that kind of thing . Pants on fire, right . Hes okay, right . Seconddegree burns so nuts. Whew. How about . shall we talk about spring training . Baseball in florida big day for the yankees as their full squad reported to work including Alex Rodriguez showing up with a whole lot less fanfare this year. Otis livingston live in those stories and more tonight at 6 00. Strange, right, o . Reporter yeah, certainly is. Because it seems like arod is the lightning rod normally. The weather is looking good but when i woke up this morning i was saying so much looking forward to the day with high hopes. Its when the position players show up to meet the pitchers and catchers, but early this morning, Mother Nature certainly threw us a curve ball. Rain, rain, go away. Why did you have to show up on yankee full squad report day . Not even the morning downpour could dampen the spirits of the bronx bombers. Its always fun coming back the first couple of days and getting to see everybody. But, you know, this is where it starts. Our goal is to win a world series and when we get down here theres all the excitement, everybody comes back in great shape. We are ready to get started. Reporter there was an Alex Rodriguez citing. Cbs 2 first on the scene at 6 45 and then at 8 22, he shows up. Later seen taking batting practice indoors. He didnt speak to the media. That will happen tomorrow. But he did check in with his manager, joe girardi. He is doing what he loves to do and hes back and theres not all the questions that he had to answer last year. So i thought he came in, you know, he looked really relaxed. Looked good, too. So does cc sabathia who his teammates as he battles alcoholism, which sidelined him late last season. They say they have his back. Thats a teammate. I have to support to him, hopefully the moment that he went through i believe he dont want to go through again because it was a tough moment for him and his family. Everybody is cited to see him in the clubhouse see that smile on his face and yeah, looking forward to, you know, playing behind him. We were just caring about each other as more than just as a teammate but as a friend. I think, you know, cc is is the model for that and he career so, you know, its little bit. Reporter yeah. Everyone rooting for cc sabathia who by all accounts is a consummate team player. Speak tomorrow. We are going to have that covered for you coming up at 6 00 much more here from tampa and also, what kind of wheels were Yoenis Cespedes arriving in to mets camp today . Aha. Well be sticking around. Yup. Something like a batmobile . Thank you. Weather picture around here, the wind, the rain and a cooldown on its way. Lets check back in with lonnie, shall we, lonnie . Okay, look. The cooldown is going to get here but right now temperatures are going up. Take a look. You dont see too much here at all. Were just sort of socked in those raindrops are as big as basketballs 54 degrees right now. Heres what you should expect. A stormy night, mild night out there with the temperatures, i mean, youre 55 right now in the city. The heaviest activity, rain, would be after 7 00 tonight into the early overnight hours. Very windy, 40, 50mileper hour wind gusts some gusts Even Stronger than that. Street flooding a pocket. Also limbs going down possibly affecting power lines out there. Its all being fueled by this sudden surge in temperatures. I mean, here we are, almost 60 degrees right now in edison. 54 in the city. 55 belmar. 56 babylon. Greenwich 50. As far north as white plains right now 57 degrees. We are seeing the wet weather, all right, its spotty. Day and starting to see some bouts of some moderate rain. The heavier stuff still to come. Bigger picture shows you where it is. It is storming now in the chesapeake. This low pressure system will be moving other the area. 8 0the big rainout knocking on our doorstep. Some leading activity at 7 p. M. 10 p. M. With us still raining heavy 11 30 p. M. Still with u. Back to you. Up next a story youll more than just like. Facebook makes a big change to let you express yourself better. Also, could this be the new key to finding comfort in coach . Well be right back. Look at health care through our eyes and youll see healthcare differently too. Across 21 hospitals and over 450 community and research facilities, were 61,000 people looking to not just raise our standard but raise the standard of heal