GUILTY PLEA - ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

DELHI – Acting District Attorney Shawn Smith announced today that William Polhamus, 35, of Harpursville, New York, appeared in Delaware County Court on December 11, 2023, and pleaded guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child.      

Polhamus appeared before the Honorable John L. Hubbard, Delaware County Court Judge, for a court conference on December 11th.  After the conference, the defendant pleaded guilty to Endangering the Welfare of a Child on July 4, 2023, in the Village of Walton.  Prior to pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that he engaged in a verbal altercation with an adult female, while the female’s 6-year-old child was present in the same home. The defendant further admitted that the child probably heard him yelling profanities, and that his actions were likely injurious to the 6 year old child’s mental or moral welfare.  

The guilty plea was entered as part of a negotiated disposition wherein it is anticipated that the defendant will be sentenced to 1 year in jail. The defendant will also be required to pay fines and surcharges, as well as provide a sample of his DNA for inclusion in the New York State DNA databank. The defendant waived his right to appeal the conviction and sentence. 

After pleading guilty, Judge Hubbard remanded the defendant to the Delaware County Correctional Facility pending sentencing on February 5, 2024.   

Acting District Attorney Shawn Smith commended Village of Walton Police Officer Kathryn Mitchell for her thorough investigation into this case, which enabled us to secure a conviction without a trial. “Domestic violence can have a serious effect on young children, and our office will continue to work with law enforcement to make sure that domestic offenders are held accountable for their actions.” 

Shawn J. Smith 

Acting District Attorney 

Delaware County