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Mid Hudson Times, Wednesday, June 19, 2019
I n B rief
Mom sentenced to abandoning
newborn in toilet bowl
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler
announced that Tuesday, June 18, Teresa Smith, 23, was
sentenced by Orange County Court Judge Craig Stephen
Brown to ten years in state prison and five years post-
release supervision in connection with Smith having
abandoned her newborn baby in the toilet bowl of a motel
room she had occupied. On Thursday, April 25, 2019,
Smith had pleaded guilty to Assault in the First Degree.
At the time that Smith pleaded guilty, she admitted that
her actions in abandoning the newborn baby in the
toilet bowl, and leaving the motel room, caused serious
physical injury to the infant which created a substantial
risk of death. Prosecutors had recommended that Smith
be sentenced to fifteen years in state prison.
On November 1, 2018, motel workers at the Budget
Inn Motel, located at 5202 Route 9W in the Town of
Newburgh, discovered blood, other bodily fluids and
soiled clothes in the room and immediately contacted
the police. Officers from the Town of Newburgh Police
Department discovered the baby in the toilet bowl, and
immediately rendered first aid. The baby was rushed
to the hospital and survived. Prosecutors argued that
after having given birth to the child found in a toilet
bowl of her motel room, Smith wholly abandoned the
child, leaving him in a toilet bowl, and left the room.
Prosecutors argued that Smith had no intent to return or
care for the child as she left the motel.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of
Newburgh Police Department for their rescue of the
infant, their investigation and the arrest of Smith.
“It is hard to comprehend what could drive any mother
to do this to her own baby by abandoning him under
these circumstances,” said District Attorney David
Hoovler. “Infants are the most innocent of victims. We
can only hope that there are no long-lasting physical
effects which will be suffered by the victim in this case. I
am grateful to the Town of Newburgh Police Department
for their actions is saving the child’s life. My Office will
continue to work with all our law enforcement partners
in protecting children and will continue to seek severe
punishment for all who commit violent crimes against
defenseless infants and children.”
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District
Attorney Christopher Kelly and Assistant District
Attorney Jessica Dovico.
Jacobson supports end to religious
exemptions for vaccines
Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh)
voted last week in favor of a bill (A2371) that ends the
religious exemption for vaccines. The medical exemption
is retained, meaning a child can be exempt when a
physician certifies that it could be detrimental to their
health.
Amid a growing measles outbreak that has seen
hundreds of cases in New York State over the past few
months, Jacobson said, “this was a common-sense health
bill. There is no greater priority and compelling State
interest than protecting the public health.”
The law now requires all children attending school
to receive immunizations for debilitating and life-
Forest Road MVA
Bob McCormick
The Plattekill Fire Department was dispatched to a vehicle into stone pillar on Forest Road on June 16. Town of Newburgh
Police and EMS responded. The subject was removed from vehicle by EMS and fire fighters. Fire fighters spread speedy
dry on fluids on roadway. Town of Newburgh EMS transported subject to St Lukes/Montefiore Hospital. The crash is under
investigation.
threatening diseases, including poliomyelitis, mumps,
diphtheria, pertussis, rubella, tetanus, hepatitis B, and
varicella.
While emotions ran high in the Assembly chamber,
Jacobson, a co-sponsor of the bill, was unwavering in
his support. Initially, the bill passed 77-53, but several
Assemblymembers either weighed in late or changed
their vote, leaving the final tally at 84-61.
Jacobson said, “Science proves that vaccinations save
lives, and I will always put New Yorkers’ safety and well-
being first.”
The Senate voted on the bill later that same day and
Governor Cuomo quickly signed it into law.
Skoufis bill to require disclosure
of campaign ads passes
A bill (S.4910/A.A4668) sponsored by Senator James
Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) and Assemblyman Ken
Zebrowski (D-Rockland County) to require political
groups to disclose who is behind political advertisements
has passed the full Legislature.
In 2017, the state passed legislation prohibiting
anonymous social media ads, however, state campaigns
are still legally permitted to send out physical mailers,
television spots, radio ads, and robocalls with complete
anonymity. This bill will end anonymous mailings and
require that all communications have a “paid for by”
tag. Currently, anonymous mailings and advertising
allow shadowy political operatives to avoid taking
responsibility for the content of communications.
“‘Paid for by’ are three words synonymous with
campaign advertising-- except in New York state politics,”
said Senator James Skoufis. Most states already have
laws requiring political communications disclose the
sender’s identity, as does the federal government for
congressional and presidential races; it’s about time
New York State also gets on board. This bill is absolutely
vital because voters deserve to know who is behind the
campaign material they receive. Whether it’s in the mail,
on television, or calls to one’s personal phone, voters
should know the group responsible for any political
advertisement. I’m proud to have worked on this bill
with Assemblyman Zebrowski to close this egregious
loophole.”
Schmitt hosts anti-vaping forum
Assemblyman Colin Schmitt (R,C,I,Ref-New Windsor)
held his Youth Anti-Vaping Public Forum this morning
at the Washingtonville High School Auditorium. The
goal of Assemblyman Schmitt’s Youth Anti-Vaping
Public Forum was to receive testimony on the health
consequences of youth vaping and to raise awareness of
the negative impacts associated with the growing use of
vape products by youth populations.
Schmitt sat on a panel with Washingtonville Mayor
Joseph Bucco and County Legislator Kathy Stegenga to
hear testimony from Orange County Commissioner of
Health Dr. Irina Gelman, Pediatric Pulmonologist Dr.
Sankaran Krishnan, representatives from the Alcohol
and Drug Abuse Council, representatives from the
American Lung Association, students and faculty from
Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, as well as School
Law Enforcement, and community members.