Maria Chagnon of North Troy, arrested in connection with sexual assault of a juvenile

by VDC staff

A 36-year-old North Troy woman has been arrested and charged in connection with the sexual assault of a juvenile in North Troy. 

State Police say Maria Chagnon was taken into custody on July 28 at her home following a joint investigation by VSP and the Department for Children and Families that began on July 4. Authorities say probable cause was established during the investigation to charge Chagnon with sexual assault. She was processed at the Derby Barracks and is being held without bail at Northern State Correctional Facility.

Woman found dead – In an unrelated case, the Vermont State Police are investigating the death of Sheila Uris, 82, of Waitsfield, after her body was discovered inside a vehicle on private property along Pine Hill Lane in Waitsfield. The discovery was made by a homeowner at approximately 1:16 p.m. Monday. Detectives from the Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded, and while the cause and manner of death will be determined by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington, initial findings do not suggest foul play.

Motorcyclist killed – A Granville, NY man has died following a motorcycle crash on VT Route 30 in Wells. At about 3:35 p.m. on July 27, 40-year-old Ricky Chandler was riding a 1994 Kawasaki ZX-7R when he collided with a 2023 Jeep Gladiator operated by 58-year-old Joy Brewster of Wells. Chandler sustained severe injuries and later died after being transported to Albany Medical Center. Brewster was unharmed. The crash remains under investigation by the Vermont State Police.

Man charged with leaving toddler at home – A Berlin man has been cited for cruelty to a child after allegedly leaving his 17-month-old infant alone in a residence. Berlin police say 30-year-old Jordan Jones was charged following a complaint received in the early hours of July 27. Jones is scheduled to appear in Washington District Court in September.

Crash causes life-threatening injuries – A single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Waitsfield left a 20-year-old Warren man with life-threatening injuries. Troopers say Dasan Dowsey was driving a 2008 Ford Ranger on VT Route 100 when the vehicle left the road and overturned. He was found away from the vehicle and transported to Central Vermont Medical Center, then transferred to the University of Vermont Medical Center. The crash remains under investigation.

Truck fire – A truck crash caused a fire and highway shutdown in southern Vermont on I-91 Northbound on July 27. At mile marker 30.6, 22-year-old Henry Vasquez of Paterson, NJ lost control of his 2018 Hino truck after hydroplaning. The vehicle ended up in the median and later caught fire while being towed. No injuries were reported, but the truck was destroyed and traffic was temporarily halted.