Woman at New York youth care facility charged with rape and kidnapping of a teenager.
A youth care worker in Upstate New York has been charged with serious offenses, including rape and kidnapping, following an incident involving a missing teenager from the facility where she is employed. The New York State Police announced the charges against Jolene D. Spaulding, a 45-year-old resident of Corning, New York.
Spaulding works as a youth care professional at Hillside Children’s Center – Snell Farms, which is a residential treatment facility dedicated to at-risk youth located in Bath, Steuben County. The center specializes in providing care and rehabilitation for young individuals who have been exposed to or have engaged in sexual harm.
The situation unfolded when law enforcement was alerted to a report concerning a juvenile resident who had gone missing. Despite an extensive search conducted by facility staff that failed to locate the teen, administrators subsequently reached out to 911 for assistance. Responding officers conducted their own search and successfully found Spaulding and the missing teenager inside a parked vehicle at a nearby park.
Following their discovery, both individuals were transported to the state police barracks in Painted Post for further investigation. As a result of the inquiry, authorities determined that Spaulding had been involved in a sexual relationship with the minor, leading to her arrest and charges including felony counts of kidnapping and rape, as well as a misdemeanor charge for endangering the welfare of a child.
Hillside’s Snell Farm Campus operates on a 177-acre property within the Finger Lakes region, offering intensive residential treatment services for young males aged 12 to 21. These services specifically cater to youth involved in or accused of sexually harmful behaviors, irrespective of whether these actions have been adjudicated in a court of law.
Spaulding had been employed at Hillside for approximately four months before being placed on administrative leave. This action came after facility administrators expressed concerns regarding her conduct linked to a juvenile resident. As of Thursday, a spokesperson for Hillside Children’s Center had not provided immediate comments regarding the incident. This case raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations under institutional care.
The implications of this situation extend beyond the specific incident, highlighting the critical need for rigorous oversight within residential treatment facilities that cater to at-risk youth.
