Woman charged with sexual assault on 4-year-old sent to psychiatric facility

Woman charged with sexual assault on 4-year-old sent to psychiatric facility

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GOSHEN – The woman charged with sexually assaulting and injuring her 4-year-old nephew has been found not competent to proceed in the case, and the boy’s mother, who is charged with failing to get medical attention, is being evaluated for competency.

Charges were dismissed against a third defendant, and a fourth pleaded guilty to a felony.

Tonya Krout, 32, of Lock Haven, Pa., has been indicted on charges including predatory sexual assault against a child, first-degree criminal sexual act and second-degree assault stemming from injuries the boy suffered in late April in the Town of Newburgh. Her twin sister, Tanya Kling of West Loris, S.C., who is the boy’s mother, and a couple they were staying with in the Town of Newburgh – Dennis and Deboara Terwilliger, 38 and 37, of Elmira – were indicted on felony assault charges, after prosecutors said they failed to get medical attention for the boy.

On Monday in Orange County Court, Judge Nicholas De Rosa placed on the record that an examination had found that Krout is not competent – she cannot understand or assist her lawyer, Catherine Lee, in the proceedings. Krout will be transferred to a psychiatric facility until she regains competency.

Kling’s lawyer, Dennis McCormick of the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, said it has become clear that his client does not understand the proceedings either. De Rosa ordered a competency exam. Kling will return to court Oct. 4 for the result.

Also on Monday, De Rosa dismissed all charges against Deboara Terwilliger.

“My client did not have any duty of care for the child,” her lawyer, Natasha Turner, said in court.