JAIL SENTENCE IN ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD CASE

DELHI – William Polhamus, 35, of Harpursville, New York, appeared in Delaware County Court on February 5, 2024, for sentencing on one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of Section 260.10 (1) of the Penal Law of the State of New York. 

On July 4, 2023, Officer Kathryn Mitchell of the Walton Police Department was dispatched to a physical domestic in progress in the Village of Walton. According to the report, Mr. Polhamus had physically assaulted a woman in front of a minor child. A third party called while Officer Mitchell was en route and reported that Mr. Polhamus had taken another minor child and had driven off on a motorcycle. When Officer Mitchell spotted Mr. Polhamus and activated her squad car’s lights, Mr. Polhamus accelerated the motorcycle and began to weave in and out of traffic. Officer Mitchell estimated the speed on the motor bike to be over 70 miles per hour.

In order to prevent an escalation of the chase, officers called off the pursuit and began to investigate where Mr. Polhamus was going. As officers were interviewing the mother of one of the minor children, Mr. Polhamus sent text messages to the mother, threatening to kill himself. Officers immediately phoned dispatch for a wellness check at Mr. Polhamus’s residence. New York State Police Trooper Mazzarella and Trooper Seber were able to make contact and placed Mr. Polhamus under arrest. 

Polhamus appeared before the Honorable John L. Hubbard, Delaware County Court Judge, for sentencing on February 5, 2024. Per a negotiated plea agreement, the Court sentenced Mr. Polhamus to 1 year in jail. The Court also ordered that Mr. Polhamus pay the crime victim’s fee and assessed the mandatory state surcharge.   

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 

District Attorney 

Delaware County