A Dundee woman has been charged with multiple felonies after two separate investigations by the Yates County Sheriff’s Office led to allegations of welfare fraud and criminally negligent homicide. Samantha W. Crane, 36, was arrested on November 7 on charges related to public assistance fraud and the March death of her infant.
Crane’s arrest on welfare fraud charges followed an investigation by the Sheriff’s Public Assistance Fraud Unit. Authorities allege that Crane provided false information to obtain benefits she was not entitled to receive. She has been charged with Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and Welfare Fraud in the Third Degree. After her arrest, Crane was arraigned in CAP Court.
In a separate case, Crane was also charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide in connection with the death of her five-month-old child. On March 20, Yates County Deputies responded to a 911 call at Crane’s Union Street home in Dundee, where they found the infant unresponsive. Emergency personnel from Dundee Fire, Dundee EMS, and Yates County EMS provided care, but the child was later pronounced dead at S&S Hospital. Following a thorough investigation, authorities charged Crane with Criminally Negligent Homicide, a Class E Felony under New York law.
Crane was arraigned on both charges and awaits further proceedings in Yates County CAP Court.
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