Caretaker Indicted For Touching Himself In Front Of Boy: DA

WESTBURY, NY — A Commack man was arraigned today for touching himself in front of a disable child who he was acting as caretaker for, officials say.

Thomas Tana, 60, was arraigned on charges of first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person and endangering the welfare of a child. Tana was released with an electronic monitoring device and is due back in court on Feb. 4. If convicted of the top charge, he could face up to four years in prison.

“The defendant was trusted with taking care of a vulnerable six-year old and allegedly fondled himself in front of the naked child before the victim’s father walked in,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “The allegations in this case are truly despicable and we will prosecute them vigorously.”

According to Singas, Tana was employed by a family to serve as the caretaker for a non-verbal 6-year-old boy. On Nov. 24, 2020, Singas said that the child's father walked in to his son's room when Tana was supposed to be working with him. According to Singas, the father saw his son standing naked in the room with Tana masturbating in front of him.

The father told Tana to leave and called police. Tana fled the house by the time police had arrived, Singas said. The boy was taken to a hospital for evaluation. He was not physically injured.

Singas said that Tana had been working with the family for about three weeks.

If you have evidence that Tana has victimized other people, Singas asks that you call the DA's office at 516-571-2165.