Two parents were arrested following an investigation into an injured 4-year-old child who was found unattended Wednesday morning in Spring Valley, police said.
At approximately 9:38 a.m. on September 9, a Spring Valley Police officer was flagged down by a Spring Valley Department of Public Works employee near Chestnut Street and Furman Place regarding an unattended child.
Officers located the 4-year-old, who police said had substantial injuries and appeared frightened. Officers were able to identify the child’s residence but were initially unable to locate a parent or guardian.
The child was transported to Westchester Medical Center for treatment, and Spring Valley detectives began investigating. The child’s parents were later located.
According to police, detectives determined that the child’s father, 36-year-old Paolo Chacaguasay-Evas of Spring Valley, had physically assaulted the child before leaving the 4-year-old home alone. Investigators also determined that the child’s mother, 35-year-old Delia Yuquilema-Cepeda of Spring Valley, had left the child home alone.
Chacaguasay-Evas was arrested and charged with Assault in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
He was arraigned before Spring Valley Justice Court Judge Sweet, who set bail at $2,500 cash, $10,000 bond or a $30,000 partially secured bond. He was subsequently transferred to the Rockland County Jail.
Yuquilema-Cepeda was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and was released on a desk appearance ticket.
Spring Valley Police thanked the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Rockland County Child Protective Services for assisting with the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact Spring Valley Police at 845-356-7400 or tips@villagespringvalley.org.
The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
