Two more people have been arrested in connection with an investigation into alleged child abuse at the SUNY Cortland Daycare Center, according to New York State Police.
The arrests bring the total number of people charged in connection with the investigation to six. Four SUNY Cortland Daycare Center employees were previously arrested and charged by SUNY Cortland police.
Former daycare employee charged with child endangerment
On Aug. 31, state police arrested Christopher Chapman, 29, of Homer, and charged him with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.
According to state police, the investigation determined that while working at the SUNY Cortland Daycare Center, Chapman engaged in conduct involving a child that placed the child's physical, mental and moral well-being at risk.
Former SUNY employee charged with failing to report abuse
On Sept. 8, state
police arrested Jennifer Eckert-Dennison, 54, of Lisle, and charged her with failure to report child abuse, a misdemeanor under New York's Social Services Law.
State police said the investigation determined that Eckert-Dennison, while employed in SUNY Cortland's Human Resources Department, failed to report suspected child abuse at the daycare center.
As a mandated reporter, Eckert-Dennison was required to report suspected abuse to an appropriate authority, including the New York State Child Abuse Hotline, the Office of Children and Family Services, Child Protective Services or a law enforcement agency.
Both defendants issued appearance tickets
Chapman and Eckert-Dennison were issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in Cortland City Court on Sept. 14.
The investigation was conducted by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Homer in coordination with the SUNY Cortland Police Department.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 2 more arrested in SUNY Cortland daycare child abuse investigation
