Sentenced: Western NY Couple Charged In ‘Horrific' Child Abuse Case

[Sugar Cookie]

A western New York man and woman are facing kidnapping and assault charges for the “horrific” abuse of a child who was kept in their garage and beaten almost daily, authorities said.

James Kevin McGonnell, 40, and Carol Steinagle, 54, abused the child between November 2017 and January 2020 in their home.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said the child, whose age and gender were withheld, was beaten, kicked with steel-toed boots, threatened with death and deprived of food and use of the bathroom. “Beside an actual homicide, this may be the most egregious thing that I have seen in four years here,” Flynn said at a news conference.

Flynn said McGonnell and Steinagle subjected the child to “increasingly horrific forms of punishment.” He said McGonnell choked the victim on one occasion, resulting in loss of consciousness.

The pair were both ordered held without bail.

The child’s relationship to the couple was not disclosed. The child is outside of the home and living with a family member, authorities said.

Western NY Couple Charged in ‘Horrific' Child Abuse Case

A western New York man and woman are facing kidnapping and assault charges for the “horrific” abuse of a child who was kept in their garage and beaten almost daily, authorities said. Forty-year-old James Kevin McGonnell and 54-year-old Carol Steinagle abused the child between November 2017 and...

www.nbcnewyork.com

 

[sgr1966]

Thank you for saying WNY. The child is a girl.

 

[Sejanus]

She has the start of a nice mustache.
Too bad glans penis head is unable to butch it up and has to resort to torturing a girl out of frustration.
Ginger pubed turd.
He and the Thing That Ate Sheboygan needs unending torture.
Starting now!

 

[caitierig]

They both look like ignorant, inbred men.

 

[BuffettGirl]

They both look like ignorant, inbred men.

With extremely punchable faces...

 

[Sugar Cookie]

The woman is going to say she is battered and afraid of the man and probably be believed - sadly.

 

[Granmaw]

That child is going to need life long therapy. I could not care less what happens to these 2 turds.

 

[mcgonnell12]

They are worthless people i hate what they did

 

[Alf]

Hello. Welcome.

--Al

 

[Sugar Cookie]

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 43-year-old James K. McGonnell of Cheektowaga was sentenced to 8 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

Between November 2017 and January 2020, the defendant, while acting in concert with his girlfriend, forced the victim to remain in a bedroom or the garage for extended periods of time inside of his home on Queens Drive in the Town of Cheektowaga. The defendants, who were the victim’s caregivers, made threats if the victim did not remain confined inside of the bedroom. The victim was also denied basic needs, including food, clothing and access to the bathroom.

As part of the sentence, Justice Haendiges issued a final order of protection on behalf of the victim, which remains in effect until 2041. No further information will be provided to protect the identity of the victim in this case.

Cheektowaga Man Sentenced for Forcibly Holding Child Victim Inside of His Home | Erie County District Attorney's Office

The defendant and his girlfriend were the victim's caregivers.

www4.erie.gov

 

[Sugar Cookie]

A Cheektowaga woman is headed to prison for forcibly holding a child inside her home for extended periods of time.

A judge sentenced 58-year-old Carol Steinagle Tuesday morning to eight years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision for Kidnapping.

Her boyfriend and co-defendant, 44-year-old James McGonnell, received the same sentence in August 2023.

7 News spoke with the victim's mother in September 2020. She said the Seneca Nation of Indians Peacemaker’s Court gave her child's father full custody because he is a member of the Seneca Nation and she isn't.

At the time, we reached out to the Seneca Nation, but we were told through a spokesman that the Nation’s courts do not discuss court cases.

Cheektowaga woman headed to prison for forcing child to stay in bedroom or garage, denying child basic needs

Carole Steinagle of Cheektowaga is headed to prison after she was sentenced for forcing a child to remain in a bedroom or the garage for extended periods of time.

www.wkbw.com