In brief: Fans back Biden at DNC meeting

MINNEAPOLIS – The only trace of the vice president came on a candy wrapper.

Joe Biden may be considering whether to enter the race for president, but he sat out this past week’s meeting of the Democratic National Committee. In his place, backers greeted a curious few in a hotel suite 20 floors above the official gathering, handing out chocolate bars wrapped with a photo of Biden behind the wheel of a convertible and an “I’m Ridin’ with Biden” label.

In any other year, a sitting vice president would have headlined such a meeting as the heavy favorite for the party’s nomination. Instead, the gathering served as proof if Biden chooses to run, he’ll do so as an underdog to Hillary Rodham Clinton.

“Secretary Clinton’s folks have been talking to these people for a very, very long time,” said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose crowds and steady poll numbers make him Clinton’s strongest challenger. “So she has a huge advantage.”

Police: Mom kept infant’s body for months

BATAVIA, N.Y. – A New York woman who prosecutors say lived with her dead baby girl’s body for three months was charged Saturday with murder.

Christina Colantonio, 28, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of her daughter, Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said.

Police launched an investigation Thursday when an acquaintance visiting Colantiono at her apartment found the baby’s lifeless body and called 911, Batavia police Det. Sgt. Todd Crossett said at a news conference.

Investigators believe Colantonio killed the girl “shortly after birth,” about three months ago, Crossett said.

Hiker found alive after nine days lost

FRESNO, Calif. – A woman who was stranded in the rugged Sierra Nevada for nine days while suffering from some broken bones has survived, authorities said.

Miyuki Harwood, 62, was found Saturday in a remote area of the Sierra National Forest after she used a whistle to get attention, said Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.

Harwood was listed in stable condition.

She was the focus of an intense search after she got lost. She broke some bones and couldn’t hike back to her base camp, Mims said. She had little food and supplies because she was carrying just enough for a day trip.

To survive, Harwood crawled for about two days to a creek where she could scoop water into a bottle with a filter inside.