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| Russo |
GENESEO: Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of
two individuals after a child abuse investigation at the Dollar Tree in the
Town of Geneseo. On April 10, 2017 at about 1:15 p.m., Deputy Becky Kane was
flagged down in the Genesee Valley Plaza in Geneseo and told about an alleged child
abuse that had just occurred at the Dollar Tree. The Deputy Sheriff quickly located the
individuals in question who were now getting into a vehicle. The couple was initially unruly with the
Deputy and several units responded to back her up including members of the
Sheriff’s Office and Geneseo Police Department.
Following a Sheriff’s Office investigation it is alleged that a three-year-old
girl was being baby-sat by 36-year-old Heather Woodworth from Perry and 41-year-old
Pietro Russo from Honeoye Falls. It is further alleged that while the three
were in the store, the child was asking for different toys on the shelves and
Russo became upset at the child and picked her up and dropped her on the floor
and walked away leaving the child unattended.
It is also alleged that Russo then walk several isles away but then
returned back to the child and struck her numerous times while yelling and
screaming at her. Several customers at the store attempted to intervene but
were verbally threatened by both Russo and Woodworth. The child was checked by Deputies and later
her doctor. The child did have physical
injury in the form of bruising to her upper leg. The child's mother was
contacted and responded to the scene to care for her and to follow up with
their primary care doctor.
Russo was charged with the felony of Assault in the 2nd
Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Woodworth was charged with
Disorderly Conduct for her inappropriate language and actions in a public
place. Woodworth was issued an
appearance ticket.
Russo was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the
Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention. The District Attorney's Office provided a
bail recommendation of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
Russo was later arraigned in the Town of Geneseo Court
before Justice Houston. The Judge
remanded Russo to the custody of the Sheriff on $5,000 cash or $10,000 secured
bond.
Assisting on scene was Sergeant Draper and Deputy Didas of
the Road Patrol Division; Investigator Schneider of the Criminal Investigations
Division; and Deputy Williams of the Forensic Identification Unit. Sheriff’s Investigators did also make a
referral to Child Protective Services.
