Judge Nicole Johnson
Office Judge Releases Woman with No Bail After Attack on Pregnant, DSS Worker on Christmas Eve
The woman, Melissa Cochrane, was released on her own recognizance following her arraignment
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that Melissa Cochrane, 30, of Yonkers, was arrested Wednesday afternoon for allegedly attacking a pregnant Department of Social Services employee at the agency’s Yonkers district office.
Cochrane was arraigned Thursday on three counts of Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count of Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor.
At Cochrane’s arraignment, prosecutors requested that she be held on bail in the amount of $25,000 cash/$50,000 secured bond/$100,000 partially secured bond. Judge Nichelle Johnson released the defendant, without bail, on her own recognizance.
The case is set to be heard next on Jan. 8. DA Cacace said: “The safety of our social services employees, who go out into the community every day to provide essential services to those in need, is non-negotiable. As alleged, the defendant committed a brazen assault on a dedicated county employee who was simply doing her job. Public servants should never have to fear for their safety when they clock into work. I stand with all in this county who are outraged by this incident and call for the passage of legislation that would enhance penalties for assaults on our social services employees.” According to a felony complaint filed in the case, on Dec. 24, inside the Yonkers district office of the Westchester County Department of Social Services, the defendant became argumentative with DSS case workers who were attempting to comply with a court order.
The defendant grabbed a pregnant DSS worker on her neck and chest areas and forced her to the ground, according to the complaint.
The case was investigated by the Westchester County Department of Public Safety. The case is being prosecuted by the Yonkers branch.
