Schuyler Co. youth gets one-year detention

A fifteen year old Schuyler County boy was found guilty of being a Person in Need of Supervision and placed in custody on Wednesday by the Schuyler County Family Court.According County Attorney Geoffrey Rossi, the teen was found to have run away from home on several occasions and used marijuana. Other evidence showed that the teen had a history of school misbehaviors, alcohol use, physical aggression, stealing, and other problems.Based on the evidence, Family Court Judge Dennis Morris directed that the teen be placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services for detention and a therapeutic foster home placement of up to one year.The county was represented in the case by assistant county attorney Steven Getman. At the hearing, Getman recommended that the teen’s legal guardian be ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, due to reports that there was adult drug use in the teen’s home. Morris granted that request as well.The teen was represented by assigned counsel from the New York State Attorneys for Children program. The respondent’s name and other identifying information is being withheld due to his age.Under New York State law, a person under the age of eighteen may be charged as a “Person In Need of Supervision” (PINS), if a court finds them ungovernable, incorrigible and in need of supervision and treatment. If a PINS charge is proven, that person may be issued a warning, placed on probation or removed from the home and placed in the custody of the Department of Social Services.