The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation
from the Bath barracks announces the arrest of three Steuben County residents
stemming from a joint investigation with Steuben County Child Protection
Services into the suspected sexual abuse of a child. Natalie Burgess, age 36, of Thurston, and
Roger Taft, age 49, also of Thurston, were arrested on Tuesday and charged with
one count each of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (a class “A”
misdemeanor). Investigators allege that
during the month of May 2018, Burgess and Taft knowingly and intentionally
allowed a child less than 17 years old to remain alone in the residence of a
Level III sex-offender. Investigators
allege that the couple knew of the offender’s high likelihood for re-offending,
after repeatedly agreeing to CPS safety plans forbidding unsupervised contact
with him, and allowed the child to remain in the home regardless. Natalie Burgess was additionally charged with
one count of Falsifying Business Records 1st Degree (a class “E” felony), after
causing a false entry to be made into the official records of the New York
State Police in an attempt to conceal the occurrence of a felony crime. In connection to the investigation,
Investigators later arrested Allen Lafler, age 66, also of Thurston, and
charged him with one count of Sexual Abuse 1st Degree (a class “D” felony) and
one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (a class “A” misdemeanor). Investigators allege that, during the month
of May 2018, Lafler intentionally subjected a child less than 11 years old to
sexual contact. Natalie Burgess and
Allen Lafler were arraigned in the Town of Bath Court and remanded to the
Steuben County Jail, with Burgess held on $2,500 bail / $5,000 bond and Lafler
held on no bail. Roger Taft was released
on an Appearance Ticket made returnable to the Town of Thurston Court on
07/03/18 at 4:00 p.m.
