A woman has been charged with child endangerment after allegedly pushing her two grandchildren into the Oswego River, according to police.
Fulton Police responded to a report of possible child abuse on February 20th at an address in the City of Fulton. Upon arrival, they met with a mother and her two children, ages three and five. The children told their mother that their grandmother, Heather M. Smith, had pushed them into the river near S. First Street.
After the children were taken home and evaluated, the mother contacted the police for assistance. Officers located the grandmother, who reportedly confessed to pushing the children into the river but denied any intent to harm them.
Smith, 46, of Fulton, was charged with two counts of reckless endangerment (Class D Felony) and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (Class A Misdemeanor). During the investigation, it was discovered that the water temperature of the river was 35.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and the children were fully submerged under the water before being pulled out by the grandmother.
The children showed no signs of obvious injury and were evaluated by EMS personnel at their home. They were not taken to the hospital but are now in the care of their mother.
Child Protective Services has been contacted and is assisting in the ongoing investigation.
Smith was arraigned at Centralized Arraignment and taken to Oswego County Jail. However, due to New York State Bail Reform provisions, the charges are considered non-qualifying offenses, and the judge was required to release Smith on her own recognizance.
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