A Seneca Falls man was arrested Thursday following a months-long investigation into allegations of sexual and physical abuse involving multiple children, according to the Seneca Falls Police Department.
46-year-old Steven Marquart was taken into custody by the department’s Criminal Investigation Division following an investigation that began earlier this month after police and Seneca County Child Protective Services received reports alleging inappropriate sexual and physical contact involving several children under the age of 17.
Authorities said the allegations span several months and include at least one reported incident of physical assault that resulted in injury to a child in mid-2023. Upon receiving the report, police and Child Protective Services immediately coordinated efforts to ensure the safety of the children while the investigation was ongoing.
Following the conclusion of the investigation, detectives charged Marquart with multiple offenses, including second-degree assault, first-degree sexual abuse, and second-degree course of conduct against a child, all D felonies. He was also charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, an A misdemeanor, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, also A misdemeanors.
Marquart was transported to the Seneca County Correctional Facility, where he is being held pending arraignment in CAP Court on all charges.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
