ONEIDA -- Two Madison County women are facing charges in a disturbing case. Officers say a toddler's caretaker forced him to eat feces.
Oneida City Police say 35-year-old Melissa Seifert, of Munnsville, and 28-year-old Julie Patane, of Oneida, are both charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Officers say Seifert let Patane care for her two-year-old child for about a year. Police say the child did spend brief periods of time at home, but called Patane "Mom." Investigators tell CNY Central Seifert had "zero involvement in the child's care."
While the child was under her care, police say Patane squeezed out a soiled diaper on the child's lips, and forced him to eat feces. Police say the child also got bruises while under Patane's care, and Seifert did not report them.
Officers say Seifert was charged for not "exercising reasonable diligence in preventing her child from becoming an abused child."
Seifert and Patane were both ticketed with endangering the welfare of a child. They are scheduled to be back in Oneida City Court on Friday, October 28th.
The child was removed by Madison County Child Protective Services.
