Devereux Staffers Accused Of Endangering Welfare Of A Client

PLEASANT VALLEY, NY — Four staff members of the Devereux Foundation were accused endangering the welfare of one of their clients in Dutchess County. State police said the four were arrested Tuesday following an investigation that began March 26.

Initially, troopers were called to Gretna Road in the Town of Pleasant Valley to help take a Devereux client to Vassar Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

An investigation found the client had fallen two days prior on March 24 and was seriously injured.

Police said the Devereux employees failed to report the incident when it occurred, failed to seek proper medical treatment for their client and intentionally omitted information from business records in order to cover up the incident.

The following employees were arrested:

• Jason J. Fearon, 24, of Poughkeepsie, charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, a felony, and second-degree falsifying business records, a misdemeanor.
• Trent D. Carney, 30, of Hyde Park, charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, a felony.
• Stokely Watson, 49, of Poughkeepsie, charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, a misdemeanor.
• Deborah J. Singler, 54, of Poughkeepsie, second-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, a misdemeanor.

All four were issued appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Pleasant Valley Court June 18.

Devereux Foundation provides educational, clinical, residential and community-based programs and services to children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

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