Harpursville Man Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment

Delaware County Court heard a guilty plea from William Polhamus , 35, of Harpursville, New York, on December 11, 2023. Acting District Attorney Shawn Smith disclosed that the defendant had pleaded guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

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Appearing before Honorable John L. Hubbard, Delaware County Court Judge, for a court conference, the defendant confessed to engaging in a verbal altercation with an adult female, with her 6-year-old child who was present in the same household, on July 4, 2023. The defendant had used profanity during the altercation and admitted that his conduct was injurious to the child's mental and moral welfare.

The guilty plea formed part of a negotiated agreement that is expected to lead to a one-year prison sentence for the defendant. He will also be required to pay fines and surcharges and provide a DNA sample for inclusion in the New York State DNA databank. By entering his plea, the defendant waived any right to appeal the conviction or sentence.

The court remanded Polhamus to the Delaware County Correctional Facility for sentencing on February 5, 2024.

The Acting District Attorney highlighted Village of Walton Police Officer Kathryn Mitchell's investigation's thoroughness for achieving the conviction without a trial and noted that domestic violence has the potential to adversely affect young children, and the district attorney's office, in conjunction with law enforcement, will continue to seek accountability for these actions.