Police arrested a man and a woman earlier this month following an investigation into the suspected abuse of a child under four years old in the village of Bath.
Justin J. Baker, 24, of Elmira, and Caitlin Marie Taft, 27, of Montour Falls, were taken into custody days apart after multiple law enforcement agencies reviewed disturbing video evidence tied to the case.
Videos trigger wider investigation
The case unfolded after the Chemung County District Attorney’s Office gave video evidence to Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker, who then contacted State Police investigators in Bath on July 31.
That footage originally came from the Elmira Police Department as part of a separate child abuse investigation. While reviewing the material, officers found clips they believed showed abuse happening at a different location — this time in Bath.
What charges they face
Baker was arrested first, on Friday, Aug. 8. He faces the following charges:
- Enterprise corruption (class B felony)
- Seven counts of second-degree assault involving injury to a child under seven (class D felonies)
- Five counts of endangering the welfare of a child (class A misdemeanors)
- Criminal solicitation in the fourth degree (class A misdemeanor)
Taft was arrested the following Monday, Aug. 11. Her charges include:
- Enterprise corruption (class B felony)
- Eight counts of second-degree assault involving a child under seven (class D felonies)
- Intimidating a victim or witness (class E felony)
- Five counts of endangering the welfare of a child (class A misdemeanors)
- Criminal solicitation in the fourth degree (class A misdemeanor)
- Criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation (class A misdemeanor)
Both were arraigned and taken to Steuben County Jail without bail.
Investigation still active
The investigation remains ongoing and involves multiple agencies, including the New York State Police, Elmira Police Department, and the district attorneys’ offices in both Steuben and Chemung counties.
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