Posted on 05/19/2004 3:06:10 PM PDT by sidewalk
A Middleburgh family is facing neglect charges after a former private investigator allegedly abused four boys, the family's attorney said.
John Aretakis said Schoharie County Department of Social Services officials claim Fred and Ramona Oliver were neglectful because Patrick D. Cascanet, a former department investigator, allegedly molested two of their sons.
"Their employee molested my clients," Aretakis said Tuesday. "I find that to be a horrific injustice."
Cascanet allegedly abused the boys while working as a private investigator for the department.
The family had an appearance Monday in Schoharie County Family Court, Aretakis said.
"The boys are still with their parents," he said.
Schoharie County Department of Social Services Commissioner Paul Brady declined to comment on the neglect charges.
"Even if we had any sort of involvement with the family, I wouldn't be able to acknowledge that," Brady said Tuesday.
The department suspended Cascanet from his duties in October pending an investigation.
On Tuesday, Brady said Cascanet was not an employee as of March.
In addition to the Oliver boys, state police at Cobleskill said Cascanet allegedly molested two other boys.
In January, troopers charged Cascanet with multiple charges including sexual abuse, attempted sodomy and forcible touching.
Cascanet allegedly abused the children over two years, troopers said.
Aretakis has filed a notice of claim against Cascanet, the state Office of Children and Family Services, the Schoharie County Department of Social Services, the Schoharie County Department of Probation and Community Corrections, the county itself and the town of Middleburgh.
The claim allows the Olivers to file a lawsuit seeking $1,000,000 in damages.
"I will file a lawsuit with 100 percent certainty against Patrick Cascanet," Aretakis said.
He said investigations regarding the other parties in the claim are still continuing.
According to court documents, the damages are for the two children and the parents in compensation for "harassment and frivolous claims repeatedly made against them by various agencies and departments of Schoharie County."
Brady said he had no comment about the claim and the department's role in the case.
"We've received one (claim), and as a consequence of that, there's still a criminal investigation taking place," he said.
Between 1998 and 2001, the village of Middleburgh hired Cascanet's security firm, Skyline Security, to do patrols during the summer months.
Middleburgh Town Clerk Brenda Lawyer said she heard last week about a claim involving the county and town.
"Nothing has been officially filed against the town of Middleburgh," Lawyer said Tuesday.
The notice of claim was dated May 4, according to court documents.
Schoharie County District Attorney James Sacket did not return multiple phone messages left at his office Monday and Tuesday.
When called at his home Tuesday, Cascanet hung up. ——— Amy Ashbridge can be reached at aashbridge@thedailystar.com or (607) 432-1000, ext. 213 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 213.
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