The New York State Police has announced that a staff member at the Harriet Tubman Residential Facility had been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct. The State Police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation from SP Auburn received a report from the New York State Justice Center regarding an altercation between juveniles at the facility in the town of Sennett on September 21, 2023.

Following a multiple-month investigation, it was found that a staff member was alleged to have been involved in causing the altercation between two 15-year-old females. The New York State Police has identified the suspect as 28-year-old Ali VanGiesen of Auburn, New York.

VanGiesen was taken into custody on two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Official Misconduct on November 30, 2023. NYSP said she was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Sennett Court on January 10, 2024 at 4 PM.