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SOUTHERN FINGER LAKES

Bath Couple Charged Following Investigation Into Newborn’s Death

BATH, N.Y. — Don Lewis will be officially sworn in as the new Chief of Police for the Village of Bath during a ceremony scheduled for 5:30 p.m. this evening at the Bath Village Hall. Lewis recently left his role as an investigator with the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office to accept the position. He continues to serve as a fire investigator for the county and remains the fire chief of the Canisteo Fire Company. Bath Village Mayor Michael Sweet expressed confidence in the department's new leadership, stating he is very pleased with the work Chief Lewis has done so far in his new role.

Staff Report / May 15, 2026

A Bath couple has been charged with criminally negligent homicide following an investigation into the death of their newborn child, according to police.

Authorities said 27-year-old Dakota J. Abeel and 23-year-old Paige M. Abeel, both of Bath, were arrested after an investigation into the death of a 12-day-old infant. The investigation was conducted by the Bath Village Police Department with assistance from the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office and the Steuben County Child Advocacy Center.

Police said both individuals were charged with one count each of criminally negligent homicide, a Class E felony under New York law. Officials have not publicly released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death or the timeline of the investigation.

According to reports, the couple was processed and arraigned in Bath Village Court. Authorities did not immediately release additional information regarding bail conditions or future court appearances.

The investigation remains ongoing. Officials emphasized that the charges are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.