Wassaic man charged in daughter's death

WASSAIC — William Tate Jr., 29, of this hamlet, was arrested and charged in connection with the death of his 3-month-old daughter, Reese. The girl died from extensive internal injuries early last Thursday, Feb. 4, according to authorities.

The felony complaint gives details of the injuries to the baby, indicating there was “repeated blunt force trauma resulting in rib fracture, swelling of the brain, multiple contusions and internal injuries including avulsion of the bowel from the stomach.�

Investigators from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office would not comment on exactly what happened the night of Feb. 3, when Tate was home alone caring for his daughter, who was the only child in the Tate household.

“We’re still trying to sort out what happened, and working that end of it,� said Detective Sgt.Patrick Whelan.

He said Reese was brought to Sharon Hospital at approximately 10 p.m. by her mother, Robin Tate, 29.

Robin and William Tate have been married for three years, Whelan said, and were living together, but the mother was not at home at the time when police believe Reese received blunt force trauma. They said a weapon had not been used.

“The mother saw the child was in distress, maybe had a breathing problem, and brought her to the hospital,� Whelan said. “She was not home at the time of the incident.�

Whelan added that the police did not believe the mother had any indication of what had happened, and that Tate had acted alone.

The detective explained it was protocol for emergency room personnel to report on a baby arriving with serious injuries.

Poughkeepsie’s Child Advocacy Center was contacted and Dutchess County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. Tate did not accompany his wife and daughter to the hospital, but he  was present when investigators arrived at Sharon Hospital.

Tate was subsequently charged with one count of murder in the second degree, under the depraved indifference section.

“The father acted in such a way that he should have known his actions could have caused serious injuries or death, which is what occurred,� Whelan said in explanation of the depraved indifference charge.

Tate was arrested the morning of Feb. 5 and arraigned before Amenia Town Justice Norman Moore before being remanded without bail to the Dutchess County Jail. He was to appear again in county court Wednesday, Feb. 10, after this paper’s deadline.

Investigators said that Tate, who does not have any active files with law enforcement, was cooperating with the investigation and has offered an explanation, but police said they were not at liberty to discuss what he told the sheriff’s office.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete. It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taking on Tanglewood

Aerial view of The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.

Provided

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for symphonic music this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Here are a few highlights from the classical programming.

Saturday, July 5: Shed Opening Night at 8 p.m. Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Daniil Trifonov plays piano in an All-Rachmaninoff program. The Piano Concerto No. 3 was completed in 1909 and was written specifically to be debuted in the composer’s American tour, at another time of unrest and upheaval in Russia. Trifonev is well-equipped to take on what is considered among the most technically difficult piano pieces. This program also includes Symphonic Dances, a work encapsulating many ideas and much nostalgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less