MIDDLETOWN – Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, September 1, 2020, Kimberly Bennett, 43, of Middletown, was arraigned before Orange County Court Judge Craig Stephen Brown, on charges related to an assault on her seven-month-old granddaughter.
Bennett was indicted on the charge of Assault in the First Degree and other crimes, in connection with an assault on Bennett’s seven-month-old granddaughter, for whom Bennett was the primary caregiver. The assault resulted in the child suffering serious physical injury including damage to her brain and eyes, which rendered the child blind. The assault is alleged to have occurred on February 22, 2020, at Bennett’s home on Bedford Avenue, in the City of Middletown. Bennett was remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of bail in the amount of $150,000 cash, $500,000 secured bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond.
On February 22, 2020, City of Middletown Police Officers and ambulance personnel responded to Bennett’s residence and found the seven-month-old baby unresponsive and exhibiting facial bruising. A joint investigation was conducted by the City of Middletown Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the New York State Police. The results were presented to an Orange County Grand Jury, which indicted Bennett on charges including Assault in the First Degree.
Bennett was arrested by the City of Middletown Police Department. If convicted, Bennett faces up to twenty-five years in state prison.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the City of Middletown Police Department, for their investigation and the arrest of Bennett, as well as the New York State Police, who assisted in the investigation.
“There is no excuse for inflicting these types of life-altering injuries on an innocent baby,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “It is even more unthinkable that these injuries could have been inflicted by the person who was primarily responsible for the child’s wellbeing. Help is available within Orange County for those who believe they are unable to care for their children. I am grateful to the City of Middletown Police Department for their tireless actions in pursuing this investigation.”
Chief Ewanciw stated, “I commend my officers and detectives for their outstanding work in investigating this very challenging case. Crimes against children are demoralizing in their own right, but this incident involving an innocent seven-month-old child who will suffer life-long consequences as a result of a senseless attack is particularly despicable. Our agency worked closely with the New York State Police and Orange County District Attorney’s Office in preparing this investigation for presentation to a Grand Jury, and I am thankful that the woman responsible for this appalling crime will finally be held criminally responsible.”
