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Child Welfare

Suspect In 9-Year-Old's Kidnapping From NY Campground Pleads Not Guilty, Report Says Suspect In 9-Year-Old's Kidnapping From NY Campground Pleads Not Guilty, Report Says
Suspect In 9-Year-Old's Kidnapping From NY Campground Pleads Not Guilty, Report Says The man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from a New York campground has formally denied any wrongdoing, Albany station WTEN reports.  Saratoga County resident Craig Nelson Ross Jr., age 46, of Milton, pleaded not guilty to nine criminal charges in Saratoga County Court on Friday, Nov. 17, the outlet said. Ross is charged with the following: First-degree kidnapping Four counts of sexual assault Two counts of sexual abuse Endangering the welfare of a child Assault Ross was arrested Monday, Oct. 2, 48 hours after allegedly kidnapping the girl from a campground at Moreau Lake Stat…
Man Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Of Children At Hudson Valley Eatery Man Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Of Children At Hudson Valley Eatery
Man Accused Of Running Prostitution Ring Of Children At Hudson Valley Eatery A man has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child by attempting to promote prostitution out of a coffee shop in the Hudson Valley.  Greene County resident David J. Bacucci, age 42, of the hamlet of Purling, was charged on Wednesday, Nov. 1 by the New York State Police along with the Village of Goshen Police Department and the Orange County Child Abuse Unit. According to Trooper Steven Nevel of the New York State Police, an investigation revealed that Bacucci was involved in endangering the welfare of children by attempting to promote their prostitution out of Davey’s Baris…
Hudson Valley Man Sexually Abuses 12-Year-Old, Police Say Hudson Valley Man Sexually Abuses 12-Year-Old, Police Say
Hudson Valley Man Sexually Abuses 12-Year-Old, Police Say A 34-year-old man from the region is accused of sexually abusing a young child. Orange County resident Josh Horner, of Walden, was arrested Monday, Aug. 28, by New York State Police. According to troopers, Child Protective Services were tipped off that Horner was sexually abusing a 12-year-old child. A follow-up investigation reportedly confirmed the abuse. Walden is charged with felony and sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. Following his arraignment, he was ordered held at the Orange County jail on $5,000 bail. Horner is scheduled to appear back in court…
Stony Point Bus Driver Charged After Rockland County Boy, 9, Hit By Truck, Police Say Stony Point Bus Driver Charged After Rockland County Boy, 9, Hit By Truck, Police Say
Stony Point Bus Driver Charged After Rockland County Boy, 9, Hit By Truck, Police Say A Hudson Valley school bus driver has been charged with reckless endangerment after an investigation into a 9-year-old boy being hit by a truck after getting off the bus. Rockland County resident Edgar Hawkins, age 61, of Stony Point, was charged on Thursday, July 20, for the incident which took place on Tuesday, March 21 in Ramapo. According to Lt. Blaine Howell, of the Ramapo Police, on March 21, around 5:10 pm an officer on patrol was made aware of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.  When he arrived on the scene, the officer found a child pinned under…
Child Sex Abuse: Stony Point Man Nabbed For Assaulting Juvenile, Police Say Child Sex Abuse: Stony Point Man Nabbed For Assaulting Juvenile, Police Say
Child Sex Abuse: Stony Point Man Nabbed For Assaulting Juvenile, Police Say A 56-year-old Hudson Valley man has been charged with child sex abuse following an investigation. Rockland County resident William Kwiecinski of Stony Point was arrested on Tuesday, June 20 after police were made aware of a complaint from Orange County and the town of Montgomery. According to Stony Point Police Lt. Greg Becker, Kwiecinski had sexual contact with a juvenile in August 2022. He was charged with sex abuse and endangering the welfare of a child while in Stony Point, Becker said. Kwiecinski was released on a $10,000 bail and is set to return to court in July.
34-Year-Old Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child In Area 34-Year-Old Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child In Area
34-Year-Old Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child In Area A Hudson Valley man is accused of sexually abusing an underage teen. Following an investigation, New York State Police and the Orange County Child Protective Services determined that Cecilio Navarro, age 34, of Middletown, had engaged in sexual contact with a child under the age of 15. Navarro was arrested Tuesday, June 14, on two counts of rape and predatory sexual assault against a child, all felonies. He was also charged with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. Navarro was arraigned in the City of Newburgh Court and ordered held at the Orange County Jail 
Man Accused Of Trying To Rape Hudson Valley Middle School Student Man Accused Of Trying To Rape Hudson Valley Middle School Student
Man Accused Of Trying To Rape Hudson Valley Middle School Student A man has been charged with allegedly traveling to attempt to rape a Hudson Valley 13-year-old girl at an area hotel. Thomas Rivera, age 32, of Lauderhill, Florida, was arrested on Tuesday, June 7, for communicating online with the girl and persuading her to meet him in Dutchess county to engage in sex, said Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. According to the allegations in the complaint filed on Friday, June 3, in White Plains federal court in April the town of Poughkeepsie Police department received a report from the town of Hyde Park Police regarding …
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Raping, Sexually Abusing Minor, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Raping, Sexually Abusing Minor, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Raping, Sexually Abusing Minor, DA Says A 43-year-old Westchester man will spend decades behind bars after being sentenced for raping and sexually abusing a minor, the District Attorney’s Office announced. New Rochelle resident Jamaal Jackson was sentenced to 25 years in state prison, followed by 20 years of post-release supervision, according to Westchester DA Mimi Rocah. Jackson was convicted by a jury in 2018 of abusing a 12-year-old on these charges: First-degree sexual abuse; First-degree rape; Endangering the welfare of a child. Jackson was arrested on Sept. 11, 2020 following an investigation that was assisted by the NY…
Suspect Accused Of Assaulting Dad In Front Of Wife, Kids In Rockland Suspect Accused Of Assaulting Dad In Front Of Wife, Kids In Rockland
Suspect Accused Of Assaulting Dad In Front Of Wife, Kids In Rockland A Hudson Valley man has been charged with allegedly assaulting a father in front of his family, including two young children. The incident took place in Rockland County on Friday, March 18, in Spring Valley. An investigation revealed there was an altercation between a 28-year-old victim and and, at the time, unknown male suspect in the area of West Street and Hoyt Street, said Det. Reginald Anderson, of the Spring Valley Police. "During the incident, it was reported that the suspect punched the victim in the face, in front of the victim's wife and two young children," Anderson said. Follo…
New Details Emerge After Missing Child Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Area New Details Emerge After Missing Child Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Area
New Details Emerge After Missing Child Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Area New details have emerged as the mother and father accused of abducting their daughter and hiding her in a hovel-like room under a staircase at an area home are set to appear in court. Ulster County residents Kimberly Cooper, age 33, and Kirk Shultis Jr., age 32, of Saugerties, were arrested Monday, Feb. 14, after police found Paislee Shultis, age 6, being held in a dark, wet room underneath a staircase in a Saugerties home.  The couple abducted the then 4-year-old from her legal guardian from Cayuga Heights, near Ithaca, in Tompkins County, New York, in 2019, Saugerties Police Chief Joseph…
Child Missing For Three Years Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Area Home Child Missing For Three Years Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Area Home
Child Missing For Three Years Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Area Home Updated story: New Details Emerge After Missing Child Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Hudson Valley A 4-year-old girl missing since 2019 has been found hidden in a cold, wet enclosure under a staircase in a Hudson Valley home. Paislee Shultis was reported missing from Cayuga Heights, near Ithaca, in Tompkins County, New York, in 2019, before being located in Ulster County on Valentine's Day, Monday, Feb. 14. At the time, the child was believed to have been abducted by her non-custodial parents, Kimberly Cooper, and Kirk Shultis, said Saugerties Police Chief Joseph Sinagra. On Monday,…
Police Learn Missing New England Girl Hasn't Been Seen In Two Years Police Learn Missing New England Girl Hasn't Been Seen In Two Years
Police Learn Missing New England Girl Hasn't Been Seen In Two Years After learning that a young New England girl has not been seen in two years, police have launched a massive investigation into her whereabouts. Harmony Montgomery, who was 5 years old when she was last seen in 2019, in Manchester, New  Hampshire, was reported missing to police by both the Department of Children, Youth and Families, and individuals.  The little girl, who is blind in the right eye and should wear glasses, was last seen in 2019 when police responded to a home for a call for service, said Manchester Police Chief Alan Aldenberg.  The family who currently lives in…
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Minor For Years Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Minor For Years
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Sexually Abusing Minor For Years A serial sexual abuser who was convicted of abusing a child for several years in Westchester will spend years in prison. White Plains resident Frank Perez, age 57, has been sentenced to five years in state prison, followed by eight years of post-release supervision for sexually abusing a minor between 2016 and 2019, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced. Perez will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. Rocah said that between September 2016 and February 2019, Perez engaged in sexual acts with a minor on multiple occasions. The sexual abus…
Man Accused Of Sexual Abuse At Unlicensed Daycare In Area Man Accused Of Sexual Abuse At Unlicensed Daycare In Area
Man Accused Of Sexual Abuse At Unlicensed Daycare In Area Updated story: Police Release Photo Of Man Accused Of Sexual Abuse In Area A man was arrested and charged with sexual abuse following an investigation into an incident at an unlicensed Hudson Valley daycare.  According to New York State Police, 40-year-old Rudy Rodriguez was arraigned in Orange County on Tuesday, Oct. 19. Police said the incident took place at an unlicensed daycare in Newburgh.  Rodriguez, of Newburgh, was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony, and a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child, police said. He was rele…
Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minor, State Police Say Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minor, State Police Say
Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minor, State Police Say An area man has been arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a minor on several occasions. Sullivan County resident Damon Sabatini, age 52, of Liberty, was arrested on Friday, April 16, by the New York State Police Sullivan County Child Abuse Unit, said Trooper Steven Nevel. Sabatini was arrested after a joint investigation with Child Protective Services revealed he had been engaging in sexual conduct with a minor, Nevel said. He was charged with course of sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child, he added. Sabatini was arraigned at the Town of Fallsburg J…
Man Working As Child Care Provider In Area Charged With Sexually Abusing Minor Man Working As Child Care Provider In Area Charged With Sexually Abusing Minor
Man Working As Child Care Provider In Area Charged With Sexually Abusing Minor A 25-year-old employed as a child-care provider in the area has been accused of sexually abusing a minor. New York State Police in Rhinebeck, in conjunction with the Dutchess County Child Advocacy Center, arrested Ulster County resident Esfand Zahedi, of Port Ewen, on Friday, July 31. He was charged with four counts of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. Subsequent to a law enforcement tip, an investigation found Esfand Zahedi, while employed as a private child care provider, sexually abused a child under the age of 11…
Area HS Varsity Coach Charged With Sexual Abuse For Alleged Relationship With Player Area HS Varsity Coach Charged With Sexual Abuse For Alleged Relationship With Player
Area HS Varsity Coach Charged With Sexual Abuse For Alleged Relationship With Player An area high school varsity coach has been charged with engaging “in an inappropriate relationship” with a 16-year-old girl. Erin Koonz, of Kingston, was arrested on Friday, June 12, by investigators from the Ulster County Family and Child Advocacy Center, reported the Ulster District Attorney's Office. The investigation into Koonz, 29, who was employed as head varsity field hockey coach at Kingston High School began in March after receiving a report of the inappropriate relationship with the 16-year-old, the advocacy center said. The investigation revealed that during the month of Fe…
20-Year-Old Charged With Performing Sex Acts With Minor, Police Say 20-Year-Old Charged With Performing Sex Acts With Minor, Police Say
20-Year-Old Charged With Performing Sex Acts With Minor, Police Say A 20-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly performing sexual acts with a minor that included sending inappropriate images and videos to the child in the Hudson Valley. Nassau County resident William Ramos, of Bethpage, was arrested in in Orange County by the town of Montgomery Police following an investigation, said Montgomery Police Investigator Stephen Ragni. The investigation found that the sexual acts took place in the town of Montgomery and involved a minor child, Ragni said. Ramos was charged with felony criminal sex act, disseminating indecent material to a minor, and endange…
Man Convicted Of Sexually Abusing 8-Year-Old Girl In Haverstraw Man Convicted Of Sexually Abusing 8-Year-Old Girl In Haverstraw
Man Convicted Of Sexually Abusing 8-Year-Old Girl In Haverstraw A 41-year-old man has been convicted of the sexual abuse of an 8-year-old Rockland County child. Johnny Lozier, of Albany, was convicted of sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child on  Thursday, Feb. 6, said the Rockland County District Attorney's Office. Lozier sexually abused a female child in the Town of Haverstraw during September 2019; the child was 8 years old at the time.  The case was investigated by the Town of Haverstraw Police with the assistance of the Special Victims Unit of the Rockland County District Attorney's Office. Lozier, who is schedule…
Alert Issued For Woman Wanted In Rockland Alert Issued For Woman Wanted In Rockland
Alert Issued For Woman Wanted In Rockland Know her? An alert has been issued by the Ramapo Police Department as they attempt to locate a wanted woman who allegedly endangered the welfare of a child. Celeste Clauser, 34, is wanted by the Ramapo Police Department and Rockland County Court on a warrant for assault and endangering the welfare of a child dating back to an incident in 2018. Following her arrest, Clauser was released and later failed to appear in court to respond to the charges against her, leading to a warrant for her arrest. Anyone with information regarding Clauser’s whereabouts has been asked to contact investigator…
Ex-Rockland Teacher Convicted Of Endangering Welfare Of Child, Harassment Ex-Rockland Teacher Convicted Of Endangering Welfare Of Child, Harassment
Ex-Rockland Teacher Convicted Of Endangering Welfare Of Child, Harassment A former special education teacher at a Rockland County elementary school has been found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child and harassment. Yessenia Vasquez, 46, of West Haverstraw, was convicted after trial on Tuesday, Dec. 17, said Rockland County Acting District Attorney Kevin Gilleece.  Vasquez was a special education teacher at Stony Point Elementary School and taught a group of special needs children.  During the school year 2016-2017, Vasquez used her foot to lift up a disabled 5-year-old’s head and pulled her head up using her ponytail severa…
Man Charged With Predatory Sexual Assault Of Child In Rockland Man Charged With Predatory Sexual Assault Of Child In Rockland
Man Charged With Predatory Sexual Assault Of Child In Rockland A 24-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a child in the area, police said. Dov Weinraub was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 4, said Ramapo Police Det. Sgt. Michael Higgins. Weinraub, of Passaic, New Jersey, is accused of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 in the area, Higgins said. He was charged with felony counts of predatory sexual assault of a child, criminal sex act, course of sexual conduct against a child, and endangering the welfare of a child, Higgins said. No other information was available from police. Weinraub was arraigned and is schedu…
Police: Westchester Mother Who Tried Drowning Infant In Bathtub Charged With Attempted Murder Police: Westchester Mother Who Tried Drowning Infant In Bathtub Charged With Attempted Murder
Police: Westchester Mother Who Tried Drowning Infant In Bathtub Charged With Attempted Murder A Westchester County mother who attempted to drown her infant son in a bathtub has been charged with attempted murder. The criminal charge filed Wednesday, Dec. 11 was the result of that investigation and consultation with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. La-Quanaya Ward, 29, who resides at the Coachman Family Center on East Post Road in White Plains, was taken into custody on Wednesday, Nov. 11, after she was released from a Westchester hospital, said Kieran O'Leary, spokesman for the Westchester County Police. Ward had been admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, De…
Still No Decision On Criminal Charges By DA In Twins' Hot Car Death Still No Decision On Criminal Charges By DA In Twins' Hot Car Death
Still No Decision On Criminal Charges By DA In Twins' Hot Car Death A father who left his 1-year-old twins in a hot car where they died while he was at work will have to wait a bit longer to learn his fate. Rockland County resident Juan Rodriguez, 39, of New City, appeared briefly in court on Thursday, Dec. 5, hoping to learn if the Bronx district attorney will proceed with criminal charges, but the prosecutor requested another adjournment. They did not say what was holding up the process. In a hearing lasting under a minute, Rodriguez and his attorney, Joey Jackson, were told that the case had been adjourned until Feb. 6, 2020. When Jackson said the lack …
Woman Accused Of Having Sexual Contact With Child In Area, Police Say Woman Accused Of Having Sexual Contact With Child In Area, Police Say
Woman Accused Of Having Sexual Contact With Child In Area, Police Say A 29-year-old woman is facing felony charges after police say she had sexual contact with a child. The New York State Police Child Abuse Unit in Orange County arrested Jaklinne Vilchez Salazar, 29, of Middletown on Wednesday, Nov. 20 after a joint investigation with Child Protective Services determined that Salazar allegedly engaged in sexual conduct with a child less than 15 years old. Salazar was charged with: Second-degree criminal sexual act, a Class D felony Second-degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor Endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor Salazar was arraigned before City o…
Man Accused Of Groping 11-Year-Old, Sharing Porn With 16-Year-Old In Area Man Accused Of Groping 11-Year-Old, Sharing Porn With 16-Year-Old In Area
Man Accused Of Groping 11-Year-Old, Sharing Porn With 16-Year-Old In Area A pair of investigations into alleged sexual assault led to the arrest of a 19-year-old man who allegedly had inappropriate contact with two minors, groping one of them and sharing porn with another. It is alleged that last year, Roger Wong, of Monticello, inappropriately touched an 11-year-old girl in Monticello, according to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. In the Town of Thompson, he is also allegedly sent inappropriate pictures to a 16-year-old girl through a text message. In Monticello, Wong was charged with misdemeanor counts of forcible touching and endangering the welfare …
Woman Accused Of Raping Child After Complaints Of Stony Point Parties Woman Accused Of Raping Child After Complaints Of Stony Point Parties
Woman Accused Of Raping Child After Complaints Of Stony Point Parties A series of loud parties led to a rape charge for a woman who allegedly had sex with a minor in Rockland County, police said. The Stony Point Police Department received numerous complaints from local residents regarding loud music and parties on multiple incidents over the course of months at a Perrins Peak home. In response to the parties, Stony Point resident Andre Oden, 45, was cited four times for noise violations and nuisance party violations after he was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 8. Police said that the investigation into the parties and activities at the Perrins Peak home continued…
Pomona Woman Arrested For Allegedly Illegally Entering A Home During Domestic Dispute Pomona Woman Arrested For Allegedly Illegally Entering A Home During Domestic Dispute
Pomona Woman Arrested For Allegedly Illegally Entering A Home During Domestic Dispute A Pomona woman was arrested following a domestic dispute in which she allegedly entered a home illegally. Angelica Flores, 25, was arrested around 2 p.m., on Saturday, June 22, and charged with criminal trespass, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment following the incident, said Stony Point Police Lt. Daniel Hylas. Flores was arrested after Stony Point Police officers responded to a home on Perrins Peak Road for a report of a domestic dispute and found that during an attempted custody exchange of a child, she allegedly unlawfully entered and remained in the victim’s ho…
Mother Located After Toddler Found Walking Alone Near Train Tracks In Area Mother Located After Toddler Found Walking Alone Near Train Tracks In Area
Mother Located After Toddler Found Walking Alone Near Train Tracks In Area After a massive search, the mother of a toddler found walking alone near train tracks in the area was located, police said. A search was launched in Orange County at approximately 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, when a 3-year-old child was found wandering and crying at approximately 1 p.m. along railroad tracks on Maples Road in Wallkill, prompting an extensive search for her mother. Police responded to the scene, and with the assistance of helicopters and ATVs, managed to locate the mother, 29-year-old Amanda Light, who was found shortly after 6:30 p.m. in the woods behind a residence on Rout…
Police Seize Pounds Of Pot From Grow Operation In Area Home Police Seize Pounds Of Pot From Grow Operation In Area Home
Police Seize Pounds Of Pot From Grow Operation In Area Home A strong smell of marijuana in a neighborhood led to the arrest of a husband and wife who were allegedly running a marijuana grow operation out of their home. The discovery was made on Tuesday, June 18, when the Village of Goshen Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence on Duggan Lane, said Village of Goshen Police Chief James C. Watt.  As a result of the search, officers found more than 10 pounds of marijuana consisting of 15 mature plants, 45 small plants, 15 plants that were cut and being dried, vials of THC oil, quantities of harvested pot and gummy bears that wer…
Staffer Kicked Child At Facility In Area, State Police Say Staffer Kicked Child At Facility In Area, State Police Say
Staffer Kicked Child At Facility In Area, State Police Say A staff member at a local childcare facility is facing charges after kicking a child, according to police. New York State Police say that a male staff member at kicked a child victim while working at the Astor Home for Children in Rhinebeck. Astor Home for Children is a facility sponsored by Catholic Charities in the Archdioceses of New York that provides mental health services to children on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The staff member, identified as 42-year-old Rey Ortiz of Kingston, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor, on Thursd…