By Guy Page

Vermont State Police announced multiple arrests and charges this week in separate criminal investigations involving child abuse and sexual assault, and embezzlement.

In Newark, police charged 25-year-old Thomas Hatfield with first-degree aggravated domestic assault and cruelty to a child after a six-week-old infant was hospitalized with injuries on September 5. Authorities said the Vermont Department for Children and Families notified police the following day, prompting an investigation. Detectives determined the child had been physically abused on four occasions. 

The infant is being treated at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. Hatfield was taken into custody and later released under conditions, including a 24-hour curfew. He is scheduled to appear in Caledonia County Superior Court on September 8.

Luring, sex assault in Newbury – In Orange County, 19-year-old Domineaq Taylor of Newbury was arraigned September 3 on charges including sexual assault of a juvenile, luring a child, and lewd and lascivious conduct. Taylor pleaded not guilty. The court imposed a $500 cash surety bond for the new charges but ordered him held without bail due to an unrelated probation violation from Windsor County. Taylor was cited while already being held at the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield.

Nonconsensual sex with adult in Whiting – In Addison County, two men were charged following a lengthy investigation into a January 14 assault in Whiting. Detectives said Carson P. Bertrand, 21, of Whiting, and Brandon R. Yandow, 28, of Castleton, engaged in nonconsensual sexual contact with an adult victim. Police also allege Bertrand assaulted a second victim the same day. 

Bertrand turned himself in on September 3 and was ordered held without bail at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility. Yandow was cited September 2 while in custody at the same facility and is scheduled to appear in court September 4.

Arrest for felony embezzlement at a non-profit – On October 24, 2024 the Montpelier Police Department received a report regarding the misappropriation of company funds. The company, Vermont Council of Special Education Administration (VCSEA), reported their previous Executive Director, Darren McIntyre, had utilized company funds for personal gain.

After a lengthy investigation, it was found that McIntyre had embezzled approximately $76,021 from VCSEA during his tenure as Executive Director from 2021 to 2023. McIntyre was cited last week to appear in Washington County Superior Court Criminal Division on September 18.