The total number of individuals charged now stands at six following recent arrests
Category: Health
CORTLAND, N.Y. — New York State Police have arrested two additional suspects in connection with an investigation into alleged child abuse at the SUNY Cortland Child Care Center, bringing the total number of individuals charged in the case to six. Christopher Chapman, 29, of Homer, was arrested on August 31 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. Meanwhile, Jennifer Eckert-Dennison, 54, of Lisle, was taken into custody on September 8 for failure to report child abuse, also a misdemeanor.
The investigation into the SUNY Cortland Child Care Center has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of children at the facility. Troopers have indicated that Chapman engaged in conduct that placed a child’s physical, mental, and moral well-being at risk during his time at the center. Eckert-Dennison, who worked in the Human Resources Department, reportedly failed to report suspected child abuse, a requirement for mandated reporters under New York state law.
Both Chapman and Eckert-Dennison are scheduled to appear in Cortland City Court on September 14, where they will face the charges against them.
The recent arrests come just months after four other employees of the SUNY Cortland Child Care Center were charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child. In May, the SUNY Cortland Police Department arrested these individuals for incidents that occurred between January and April 2026. The arrested employees included Karen A. Diescher, the center’s director; Heather Hurteau, a head teacher; Kelsi Carlisle, a center supervisor; and Aimee Wyatt, a childcare provider.
According to court documents, the earlier arrests stemmed from various allegations of aggressive behavior toward children. One particularly troubling incident involved a worker allegedly encouraging other children to kick and step on another student for approximately three minutes before intervention occurred. This pattern of neglect and abuse has prompted scrutiny from both law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
In addition to the criminal investigations, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services inspected the center and cited it for several violations. Reports indicate that the center was found in violation of regulations concerning corporal punishment and failure to take necessary precautions to prevent serious injury to children. These inspections took place in April and May, leading to a series of citations that highlighted the center's alarming practices.
The fallout from these investigations has already had a substantial impact on the SUNY Cortland Child Care Center. Following the allegations and subsequent arrests, the nonprofit organization that operated the center, SUNY Cortland Child Care Center Inc., voted to dissolve. Established in 1993, the center served SUNY Cortland students and staff and New York state employees, alumni, and members of the community. It was licensed to care for up to 98 children, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
The upcoming court appearances for Chapman and Eckert-Dennison are expected to shed more light on the extent of the alleged abuse and the failures to report it. As the investigation continues, the community remains on high alert, with parents and guardians expressing deep concern over the safety measures in place at childcare facilities.
As this situation develops, the implications for child care regulations and the responsibilities of mandated reporters may come under increased scrutiny. The community and authorities alike are awaiting the outcomes of the court proceedings, which could lead to broader discussions about the safety and oversight of child care providers in New York state.
The SUNY Cortland Child Care Center's closure marks a tragic end to a facility that once aimed to provide care and education to the youngest members of the community. The center's dissolution reflects the serious nature of the allegations and the necessity for rigorous enforcement of child protection laws.
As the investigations progress, the community looks for justice for the affected children and accountability for those responsible for their care.