Four parents and guardians were charged with endangering the welfare of a child after Bath police said juveniles connected to an earlier robbery investigation were later found involved in a large street fight while unsupervised.
Police said the sequence began around 1:20 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, when officers were called to Liberty Street after an adult man reported being robbed by a group of juvenile males.
Officers located four juvenile suspects at a residence on West William Street. They were detained and released to their legal guardians while the robbery investigation continued, and police said the adults were advised that the children needed to be supervised.
Later that night, police said the same juveniles were again seen unsupervised. Around 9:30 p.m., an officer patrolling near Howell and Buell streets encountered what police described as an extremely large group of juveniles physically fighting in the street.
Police said all of the juveniles involved in the earlier robbery investigation were present and actively involved in the fight. The fight remains under investigation.
Throughout Sept. 5, police arrested four parents or guardians on one count each of endangering the welfare of a child for failure to exercise control of a minor, a Class A misdemeanor.
Those charged were Irene R. Strassburg, 44, of Bath; Cassie J. Stowell, 33, of Bath; April L. Finch, 42, of Bath; and Amberlynn M. Zigenfus, 34, of Avoca.
All four were released on appearance tickets and are due in Bath Village Court at a later date.
Bath police also reminded residents that village law establishes a 10 p.m. curfew for juveniles younger than 16. Police said juveniles found on the street without supervision after that time can be turned over to a legal guardian, who may also be ticketed for failing to exercise guardianship.
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