The investigation into the weekend water rescue performed by the Bath Fire Department’s Swift Rescue Team has resulted in the arrest of two of the people involved.
Shortly before 3 p.m. on Saturday, state troopers responded to a report of a child who had gone under the water. The child was later found safe on a small island with two adults, identified as 35-year-old Matthew Martin and 32-year-old Tessa Hamilton, after troopers and emergency responders used ropes to reach the group.
Due to difficult water conditions, the Bath Volunteer Fire Department’s Swift Water Rescue Team deployed a boat to bring the trio to safety. The child was taken to St. James Hospital for evaluation and has since been released.
Investigators say the group was tubing on the river with a larger party when the child, who was not wearing a proper life jacket, fell into the water and was rescued by a kayaker from a different group.
Further investigation revealed that Martin had an active order of protection barring him from contact with Hamilton and the child.
Hamilton was charged with:
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Reckless endangerment in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor)
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Endangering the welfare of a child (Class A misdemeanor)
Martin was charged with:
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Reckless endangerment in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor)
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Endangering the welfare of a child (Class A misdemeanor)
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Two counts of criminal contempt in the second degree (Class A misdemeanor) for violating the order of protection
Both individuals were processed, and the case remains under investigation.
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.
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