The suspect in a child abandonment investigation that began more than two years ago in the Village of Penn Yan was released following her court appearance. 43-year-old Ashley Montgomery recently turned herself in to Penn Yan Police on a sealed indictment warrant (see below) charging her with abandonment of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, abandonment of animals, and two counts of criminal mischief.
Montgomery appeared in court on Wednesday and was released after the charges were determined to be non-qualifying for bail under New York’s bail reform laws.
Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella said that despite what he described as a clear flight risk, the judge ordered Montgomery released to pre-trial supervision.
The charges stem from a September 2023 incident in which police were called to a village residence after a neighbor believed a young child was living in an abandoned home. Officers say they found a 13-year-old child living alone after Montgomery allegedly abandoned the child for nearly two weeks.
Investigators say Montgomery left the child in the home with two dogs and no money or resources, then fled to Syracuse. Police say the residence was uninhabitable and was later condemned by Code Enforcement.
Child Protective Services responded and removed the child to a safe location. Authorities say the child was unharmed. The two dogs were taken by Animal Control and were later rehomed.
Police presented the case to the Yates County District Attorney’s Office, which resulted in a grand jury indictment. Authorities say Montgomery failed to respond to multiple attempts to contact her and could not be located, even with assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
After a “wanted” poster was widely circulated last week, Montgomery turned herself in to Penn Yan Police on Monday.
The case remains pending.
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.
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
