Two from Dutchess County Charged for Leaving Baby Alone

Two from Dutchess County were charged after police say they left an infant home alone for several hours.

Tuesday around 12:40 am Dutchess County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Hudson River Housing on Manchester Road in LaGrange for a report of a small child that had been left alone in a room for several hours.

Police say a one-year-old girl was found alone in the room with no caregivers present.

Police were told that staff members saw the child’s mother, 19-year-old Marlasia Ashley, of LaGrange leave the apartment just after 10:00 p.m.

Employees then checked on the child and contacted the Sheriff’s Office after Ashley allegedly still wasn’t home by 12:40 a.m.

In addition to the baby being left alone, Deputies also allegedly discovered a sawed-off shotgun in the apartment.

While authorities were on the scene and making arrangements for the baby, Ashley returned home around 3:00 a.m. Officials say the baby was left alone for almost five hours.

Ashley was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. She was released on an appearance ticket to reappear before the Town of LaGrange Court on July 5.

Police say the weapon belonged to 25-year-old Tashan Petteway, currently homeless. Petteway was charged with 3rd-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.

Child Protective Services removed the child.