Peekskill Couple Face Child Endangerment Charge

Putnam County Deputy Sheriff Brian Aisenstat initiated a traffic stop of a motorist at 12:20 p.m. Feb. 15 on Route 9D in the Town of Philipstown due to an expired inspection violation.

Upon approach, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle. The deputy further observed two small children as passengers in the vehicle, one of whom was determined to have been improperly restrained in a car seat.

The driver, identified as Sara M. McGougain, 23, of 1213 Constant Avenue, Peekskill; and a passenger, identified as Justin D. Taylor, 23, of 2030 Oakwood Drive, Peekskill were both arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, a violation; and with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a misdemeanor.

The defendants were processed at the Sheriff’s Nelsonville Substation and subsequently arraigned before Village of Cold Spring Justice Thomas Costello. Taylor was sent to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2,500.00 cash bail or $5,000.00 bond. McGougian was released in her own recognizance.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear in the Town of Philipstown Justice Court March 11.

Notification was made to Putnam County Child Protective Services and arrangements were made to turn the children over to a relative.

If found guilty of the misdemeanor charges, each defendant could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.00 for each charge.