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44°
Sunday, mar 16
Tag:
Child Welfare
Police & Fire
Trapped For 20 Years: Police Detail Life Of Man Held Captive By Stepmom
The numbers are chilling. A 32-year-old man, standing five feet nine inches tall and weighing just 68 pounds, was forced to live in an 8-by-9-foot room for 20 years. All because his 56-year-old stepmother said so, Waterbury police said. Kimberly Sullivan was arrested this week and charged with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment, police said. She was released from jail on Thursday after posting a $300,000 bond. Original Report: Waterbury Woman Held Stepson Captive For 20 Y…
Police & Fire
Connecticut Woman Held Stepson Captive For 2 Decades In 'Horrific' Conditions: Police
A Connecticut woman has been arrested after police say she held her stepson captive for over two decades, subjecting him to extreme neglect and abuse before he allegedly set fire to their home in a desperate bid for freedom. Kimberly Sullivan, 56, of Waterbury, was arrested on Wednesday, March 12, and charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment, police said. New Report: Stepmom Accused Of Holding Man Hostage Posts Bond; Police Detail Victim's Lif…
News
Fugitive Who Raped Young Girl Taken Back To Westchester To Face Justice After 18 Years: DA
A 52-year-old man who fled the country after allegedly raping a young girl in Westchester nearly two decades ago has been returned to New York to face justice, prosecutors said. Galo Herrera, a Mexican national, was arraigned in Westchester County Court on Monday afternoon, Feb. 24 on rape and sexual assault charges after being apprehended by Mexican authorities and extradited to New York, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, Feb. 25. According to prosecutors, between December 2006 and January 2007, Herrera forcibly raped a young girl unde…
News
Youth Soccer Coach Kissed 15-Year-Old Girl, Made Suggestive Comments At Westchester Clinic: DA
A 44-year-old youth soccer coach faces criminal charges after allegedly kissing a teenage girl and making suggestive comments to her at a clinic held at a Westchester school, prosecutors said. Mamaroneck resident Jose Grajales-Giraldo, age 44, was arraigned in White Plains City Court on charges connected to an incident that happened in White Plain on Saturday, Jan. 25, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, Feb. 12. According to the DA's Office, on the day of the incident, Grajales-Giraldo was acting as a coach for a youth soccer clinic hel…
News
Death Of Young Mom At Hands Of Ex-Lover In NY Could Have Been Prevented, Family Says
More than three years ago, Brenda Alfaro-Alcantara moved to the United States to be with the man she loved, her family said. But the 29-year-old mother's American dream came to a tragic and senseless end when she was stabbed more than 30 times last October by that same man, identified by authorities as 43-year-old Jose Funes-Zabala, of Roosevelt. It all happened in front of the couple's 2-year-old son, who relatives say was found covered in blood at his family's apartment. On Monday, Feb. 10, Funes-Zabala was indicted on second-degree murder and related charges in Nassa…
Police & Fire
Dad Leaves Toddler In Freezing Car For 90 Minutes At Westchester Stop & Shop: Police
A Westchester father is facing charges after allegedly leaving his 2-year-old child alone in a car for more than 90 minutes in freezing temperatures while he shopped for Instacart orders, police said. The incident happened in Port Chester during the week of Monday, Jan. 20, when officers were called to the Stop & Shop parking lot and found the child unattended inside the locked vehicle, the Port Chester Police Department announced on Monday, Jan. 27. Concerned for the child’s welfare, officers broke into the car and safely removed the toddler. The child was immediately transported to a …
Police & Fire
19-Year-Old Accused Of Raping Young Girl In Westchester While She Was Drunk
A 19-year-old Westchester man faces rape charges in connection with his alleged sexual assault of a young girl after giving her alcohol, police said. New, updated report - New Update: More Victims Of 19-Year-Old Accused Rapist Come Forward In New Rochelle New Rochelle resident Joey Valencia was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 7 following an investigation into the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl, New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne announced on Friday, Nov. 8. According to Coyne, the investigation began after the victim was taken to a hospital while highly intoxicated an…
News
Man Nabbed In Undercover Online Predator Sting In Hudson Valley, DA Says
A man is facing multiple charges after an online predator sting in the region. From Tuesday, April 30, through Sunday, Sept. 1 of this year, Robert Fidler age 66, of Nyack engaged in internet chats and attempted to arrange meetings with what he thought were two teenage girls, the Rockland County District Attorney's Office said. An undercover officer of the DA Office's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force had assumed the personas of 13- and 14-year-old girls. During the conversations, Fidler described how he and the undercover officer would engage in sexual contact whe…
News
Teacher Accused Of Kissing Student Returned To Westchester HS After Retirement Announcement
A former teacher accused of taking a student behind a high school auditorium curtain in Westchester and kissing them returned to the district in a partial capacity for a year after announcing his retirement, officials said. Hartsdale resident Michael Rubino, who taught music with Hastings Public Schools for over 20 years, was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 11 on charges connected to his alleged unwanted touching and kissing of an underage student at Hastings High School, according to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. Earlier Report - Former Teacher…
News
Peekskill Cab Driver Sexually Abuses Child For Year: Here's His Sentence
A 46-year-old cab driver from Northern Westchester will spend more than a decade in prison for grooming and sexually abusing a young girl for nearly a year, officials announced. Peekskill resident Luis Urgiles was sentenced to 16 years in state prison for engaging in sexual conduct with a young girl, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Tuesday, April 23. According to the DA's Office, Urgiles, a cab driver in Peekskill, met the victim's family when they were passengers in his cab. He then befriended them and began grooming the then-10-year-old…
Police & Fire
New Update: More Details Emerge About Attack On Children At Park In Yorktown
Authorities have revealed more information about an attack on two children at a Northern Westchester park, including the name of the suspect charged in connection with the incident. Yonkers resident Tyreek Lewis, age 19, was arrested on Wednesday, March 27 in connection with an assault that happened at Downing Park in Yorktown earlier on the same day, Yorktown Police announced on Thursday, March 28. Earlier Report - 18-Year-Old Caught After Attacking Children At Park In Yorktown According to police, on Wednesday just after 10 a.m., victims at the park told arriving officers that…
Police & Fire
18-Year-Old Caught After Attacking Children At Park In Yorktown
An 18-year-old student was taken into custody after attacking children at a park in Northern Westchester, police announced. New, updated report - New Update: More Details Emerge About Attack On Children At Park In Yorktown The incident began on Wednesday, March 27, when an unknown man began physically attacking children at Downing Park in Yorktown, Yorktown Police announced just before 2 p.m. Officers soon responded to the park and apprehended and arrested the suspect as he fled into a wooded area of the adjacent FDR State Park. Police soon learned the suspect was an 18-y…
News
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…
News
15 'Psychologically Disturbed Children' Removed From Northern Westchester Treatment Center
Fifteen children with severe psychological and behavioral issues have been removed from a Northern Westchester residential treatment center which has sparked controversy among town leaders for unsafe conditions. The children were removed from the JCAA Westchester Campus located in Pleasantville at 1075 Broadway, which serves as a treatment center for emotionally troubled young people, Mount Pleasant officials announced on Wednesday, Oct. 11. According to officials, the children will instead be reassigned to facilities better equipped to handle them. …
News
Unsafe Child Treatment Center: NY Officials Hear Concerns About Northern Westchester Facility
As part of their effort to call for the closure of a Northern Westchester residential treatment center for emotionally troubled children because of unsafe conditions, town leaders met with New York state officials to plead their case. Both Mount Pleasant Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi and Police Chief Paul Oliva met with state officials during a meeting on Thursday, July 27 to demand the closure of the JCAA Westchester Campus located in Pleasantville at 1075 Broadway, which serves as a treatment center for emotionally troubled children. Earlier Report - Officials Demand Closure Of Unsafe Chil…
News
Officials Demand Closure Of Unsafe Child Treatment Center In Northern Westchester
Authorities and elected officials are calling for the closure of a Northern Westchester residential treatment center for emotionally troubled children because of unsafe conditions, including nearly 250 missing person incidents in six months. In a press conference held at Town Hall on Wednesday, July 12, Mount Pleasant Police and town officials called for the closure of the JCAA Westchester Campus located in Pleasantville at 1075 Broadway, which serves as a treatment center for emotionally troubled children. Founded in 1912 as the Pleasantville Cottage School, the center is …
Police & Fire
34-Year-Old Hudson Valley Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child
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
News
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 …
Police & Fire
Apparent Murder-Suicide Under Investigation In Westchester
An apparent early morning domestic murder-suicide is under investigation in Westchester. It happened around 5:50 a.m. Sunday, June 5 in Mount Vernon on South 14th Ave. When officers arrived at the scene, they found two people dead from gunshot wounds, police said. Three minors were located at a family member's home, said authorities. Upon arrival, two persons were located, deceased, from apparent gunshot wounds, authorities said. Three minors, who were in the home at the time, have been re-located to a nearby residence with family members. Anyone that may have information a…
News
Westchester 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…
Police & Fire
Suspect Nabbed For Assaulting Father In Front Of Wife, Kids In Hudson Valley, Police Say
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…
News
New Details Emerge After Missing Child Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Hudson Valley
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…
Police & Fire
Child Missing For Three Years Found In Dark, Wet Enclosure In Hudson Valley Home, Police Say
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 & Fire
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…
News
Westchester 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…
News
Westchester Father Charged For Not Locking Up Weapon That Injured Toddler, DA Says
A father in the Hudson Valley is facing charges after he failed to lock up a loaded gun which a toddler took and accidentally injured himself. Robert Welgos, 45, was arraigned on Monday, June 22 on charges related to having an unsecured loaded firearm in his home that led to a toddler shooting himself. It is alleged that on Thursday, June 11, Welgos' toddler took the loaded gun from an unlocked safe, discharged the weapon, and injured himself. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. said that Welgos lives with his family, including two children, in Harrison. …
Police & Fire
Man Sexually Abused Child Near Yorktown Shopping Center, Police Say
A Putnam County man surrendered himself into police custody for allegedly sexually abusing a minor in the parking lot of a Northern Westchester shopping center, investigators said. Last month, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, a member of the Yorktown Police Department was approached by two residents who reported a possible sexual assault that happened the previous night in the Shrub Oak Shopping Center parking lot. It is alleged that on Tuesday, Feb. 18, a 20-year-old man from Putnam Valley - whose name has not been released by investigators - forcibly touched his victim’s intimate parts multiple tim…
News
Missing 10-Year-Old Reunited With Family By Metro-North Employees
A missing 10-year-old girl was returned safely to her family thanks to the good work of several MTA employees. The employees were recently honored after the child was found on Tuesday, Jan. 14, said MTA officials. The girl, from the Bronx, was found just as Train No. 593 pulled out of Fordham Station, when Conductor Ninan Jacob noticed the child, traveling alone and seemingly confused and tired. After spotting the child, Jacob contacted the operations center who arranged to have MTA Police meet the train at its next scheduled station stop in Mount Vernon West. “I don’t consider mysel…
Police & Fire
Alert Issued For Woman Wanted For Endangering Welfare Of Child In Area
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…
Police & Fire
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…
News
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 …
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