A Perry woman and a Honeoye Falls man have been arrested after a number of people witnessed an act of child abuse at a dollar store in Geneseo.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office says a witness flagged down a deputy to report the mistreatment of a three-year-old girl. The deputy spotted the couple involved getting into a car, but they became unruly when she approached them. Several additional units responded including Geneseo Police, and the pair were taken into custody.
Sheriff Tom Dougherty says 26-year-old Heather Woodworth and 41-year-old Pietro Russo were babysitting the child. Russo got upset with her when she asked for toys on the shelves, picked her up and dropped her on the floor. He then walked away, but came back and began striking the little girl while yelling at her.
Customers who tried to intervene were threatened by both Russo and Woodworth.
The child suffered bruising of her leg and was returned to her mother.
Russo is charged with felony assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Woodworth is charged with disorderly conduct and was released on an appearance ticket.