Man Charged with Child Endangerment in Harford

Authorities say David K. Wacht violated a protective order involving a minor in two jurisdictions.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:07am

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An extreme close-up of a handcuffed wrist against a dark background, capturing the harsh, investigative nature of this crime story.A stark, gritty image highlighting the serious consequences of violating a protective order involving a minor.Cortland Today

A 42-year-old man from Harford, New York has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal contempt after allegedly violating a full stay-away order of protection involving a minor in both the City of Cortland and the Town of Harford.

Why it matters

Violations of protective orders, especially those involving minors, are taken very seriously by law enforcement due to the potential risks to vulnerable individuals. This case highlights the importance of enforcing such orders to protect children from harm.

The details

According to the Cortland County Sheriff's Office, David K. Wacht was arrested on April 1st at 6:30 p.m. and charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of second-degree criminal contempt, all misdemeanors. Investigators determined Wacht violated the protective order on more than one occasion in both Cortland and Harford.

  • Wacht was arrested on April 1, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
  • Wacht was arraigned in Cortland City Court on April 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Wacht is scheduled to appear in Town of Harford Court on May 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Wacht is scheduled to appear in City of Cortland Court on May 1, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

The players

David K. Wacht

A 42-year-old man from Harford, New York who was arrested and charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal contempt.

Cortland County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that arrested Wacht and conducted the investigation into the alleged violations of the protective order.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Wacht's bail status at his upcoming court appearances in Cortland and Harford.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of enforcing protective orders, especially when they involve minors, in order to safeguard vulnerable individuals from potential harm. It also raises questions about bail reform and the challenges of monitoring compliance with court orders.