MINEOLA, N. Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Commack man was arraigned on grand jury indictment charges for allegedly masturbating in front of a six-year-old nonverbal child while working as the child’s caretaker.
Thomas Tana, 60, was arraigned today before Judge Fran Ricigliano on charges of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in the first degree (an E felony) and endangering the welfare of a child (an A misdemeanor). The defendant was released with electronic monitoring and is due back in court on February 4. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum of 1-1/3 years to four years.
“The defendant was trusted with taking care of a vulnerable six-year-old and allegedly fondled himself in front of the naked child before the victim’s father walked in,” DA Singas said. “The allegations in this case are truly despicable and we will prosecute them vigorously.”
DA Singas said that the defendant was employed by a family to serve as a caretaker and tutor for a six-year-old child who is nonverbal. On the morning of November 24, Tana was working with the child when the father of the child walked into the victim’s room. The father allegedly saw his son standing fully nude while the defendant was allegedly masturbating in front of his child. Tana was allegedly on his knees with his penis exposed.
The father told the defendant to leave and called 911. Tana had fled the house by the time police arrived. The child was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
The defendant was employed by the family for approximately three weeks.
Tana was arrested by members of the Nassau County Police Department later that day at his Commack home.
If you have information about this defendant or evidence that he has victimized others, please contact the NCDA at 516-571-2165.
Assistant District Attorney Kevin Sheehan and Deputy Bureau Chief Emma Slane of DA Singas’ Special Victims Bureau are prosecuting the case. The defendant is represented by Michael Alber, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.