NYSP Child Abuse Unit Arrests 2 Hudson Valley Residents

MONROE, NY — An Orange County man was accused of pretending to be a psychologist and a Putnam County woman was accused of helping him. State police said Eduardo Talentino, also known as Elder Talentino, 52, of Monroe, and Margaret Patterson, aka Charlene Patterson, 79, of Lake Peekskill, were arrested Friday, Feb. 8 and charged with unauthorized practice of a profession, an Education Law felony.

Police said a joint investigation with Orange County Child Protective Services and Orange County Fraud said that Patterson, a licensed master of social work, was aiding and abetting Talentino who was pretending to be a psychologist and/or psychiatrist with a PhD, but was treating clients without a license.

The investigation found that Talentino was also falsely claiming to be an FBI agent, police said.

According to authorities, the duo was working in offices at 124 Main St. in the Village of Chester and the Center for ADHD at 32 South St. in the Village of Washingtonville.

Police said additional charges are pending.

Anyone who has information regarding Talentino and Patterson are asked to contact the Orange County Child Abuse Unit at 845-291-2810. All calls will be kept confidential.

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Photo caption: From left, Eduardo Talentino and Margaret Patterson. Photo credit: NYSP.