An Alleged Child Abuse Case In Bath

From Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker:

Justin J. Baker, 25 and Caitlin M. Taft, 29 both of Elmira were brought before Steuben County Court Judge Mathew K. McCarthy this afternoon for arraignment on warrants stemming from sealed Indictments handed up against them by the Steuben County Jury on August 7, 2025 addressing alleged child abuse by the pair.  The 17 Count Indictment alleges 8 Counts of Assault in the Second Degree, alleging that the Defendants either individually or aiding and being aided by each other being 18 years of age or more intentionally caused physical injury to a child less than 4 years of age.  Each of these Counts is a Class D violent felony.

The Indictment also charges both with Enterprise Corruption, a class B felony, alleging Defendants together knowingly engaged in a pattern of criminal conduct as part of a criminal enterprise aimed at abusing and filming the abuse of the child assaulted.

The Defendant’s are also charged with 6 Counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, each a class A misdemeanor for knowingly acting in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare to two children less than the age of 17.  Caitlin Taft is individually charged with Intimidating a Witness In the Third Degree, a class E felony; Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, a class A misdemeanor; and, Criminal Solicitation in the Fourth Degree, also a class A misdemeanor.

All charges are based upon events occurring in the Village of Bath between mid-July and September of 2024 and are the product of a lengthy investigation by the Elmira City Police Department, the New York State Police and Investigators from the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office. Baker is currently facing similar charges in Chemung County.  The Court issued orders of protection in favor of all Victims and Witnesses and both Defendants were remanded to Steuben County Without Bail pending further proceedings.

 

Addison Might Shut Down Their Village Government

The Addison Post reports that the Addison Village Board voted to do a study on whether to dissolve the village government.  The Addison Village Board is having the LaBerge Group do the study. 

 

Trump Adminstration's VA Director Ends Union Contracts

From The VA's website:  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the termination of collective bargaining agreements for most VA bargaining-unit employees, a move that will make it easier for VA leaders to promote high-performing employees, hold poor performers accountable, and improve benefits and services to America’s Veterans.  The announcement comes in response to President Trump’s executive order that excludes certain federal agencies from labor-management relations programs. In accordance with the same EO, VA on April 25 stopped withholding union dues from most employees’ paychecks.

 

A Hornell Man Is Sentenced To 33 Years In State Prison

 26-year-old Robert Taft of Hornell was sentenced in a baby shaking case from October 2022.  The young girl suffered a brain injury which still causes her to suffer.   

From Steuben County D.A. Brooks Baker;

On May 29, 2025 a Steuben County Jury returned a verdict, finding 26-year-old Robert Taft of Hornell guilty of  two counts of Assault in the First Degree, each a class B violent felony; two counts of Reckless Assault of a Child in the First Degree, each a class D violent felony; and two counts of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, each a class D felony.  Defendant was convicted of all charges presented to the Jury.

The Verdict came after a two-week trial held in Steuben County Court before Supreme Court Justice Jason L. Cook.  At trial the People proved that the Defendant had violently shaken his three-month old daughter twice in October of 2022 – causing a near-fatal brain injury from which she continues to suffer.

Robert Taft appeared before Justice Cook for sentencing.  During the emotional proceeding, the Victim’s mother spoke about the breach of trust and live long impact Defendant’s actions would have on her Daughter.  Justice Cook reviewed the presentence investigation and facts of the case, which he made clear “shocked the conscience of the Court” – before imposing sentence.  An emotionless Taft said only “I’m sorry” before being sentenced to 15 years on one Assault in the First Degree Charge, and 18yrs on the other to be served consecutively – meaning he will serve a total of 33 years in state prison before being released to another 10 years of post-release supervision.  Concurrent lesser state prison sentences were imposed on the remaining charges.

Hornell Police Investigator Thomas Aini coordinated the investigation with assistance from Steuben County Child Protective Services and the New York State Police.  The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Brooks Baker and Sr. Assistant District Attorney Joseph Pelych who were both present for the sentencing. On sentencing, Baker said: “While no sentence can ever undue the life-time of suffering Taft inflicted on his Victim; what Justice Cook did today insures that the Victim and her family can move on with their lives without having to carry the specter of Robert Taft – we came as close to justice as you ever can in a case like this.”

The Defendant was represented  at trial by Sr. Assistant Steuben County Public Defenders Sujata Ramaiah and Terrance Baxter.  He was remanded to the custody of the Steuben County Jail pending transfer to a New York State Prison.

 

The Bath School Board Has Several Events On Thursday

At 4:30pm this Thursday, there will be a workshop in the Bath Board of Education District Office Building.  The Bath School Board will then be having a public Hearing at 5:15 pm Thursday at the district office, to discuss the proposed School Resource Officer contract for the upcoming school year.  Then they will have the regular school board meeting at 5:30 p.m., also in the District Office.