An employee at Hillside Children’s Center-Snell Farms in Steuben County has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with one of its juvenile residents.
According to police, 45-year-old Jolene Spaulding of Corning was employed as a Youth Care Professional at the Bath-based residential treatment facility for at-risk youth for approximately four months. She was placed on administrative leave on June 15 after administrators raised concerns about possible misconduct.
On Wednesday, law enforcement responded to reports that a resident was missing from Snell Farms. Shortly after being informed of the missing juvenile, state troopers and members of the Corning Police Department found Spaulding and the juvenile in a parked vehicle at a local park. Both were taken to the state trooper barracks in Bath for interviews.
Troopers say an investigation determined that Spaulding had a sexual relationship with the juvenile who had been reported missing. She was arrested and charged with felony counts of Kidnapping and Rape, and a misdemenor count of Endangering the Welfare of a Chid.
This is an ongoing 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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