ITHACA, N.Y. – An Ithaca man has been charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child after allegedly leaving his young kids locked in their rooms while he left the home on numerous occasions.
Investigators from the Ithaca Police Department arrested Zachary Pesold, 58, on Thursday, April 4. Charges were based on multiple prior incidents.
Police allege Pesold repeatedly locked his 2-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son in their bedrooms while leaving the residence for significant periods of time.
According to police, Pesold also forced his 4-year-old son out of the home late at night without shoes, wearing a sleeveless shirt while it was 24 degrees out, until neighbors intervened after several minutes.
The Ithaca Police Department’s investigation was carried out in collaboration with the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office and Child Protective Services.
Pesold is set to appear in Ithaca City Court on Wednesday, April 10.
April is Child Abuse Prevention month, and police would like to remind the public to contact the department if they suspect any children are the victims of abuse.