BATH, NY — New York State Police arrested a Painted Post man following an investigation into repeated false reports made to emergency services and mandated reporters in Steuben County.
The investigation determined that over an extended period, the suspect made numerous false reports to 911 and the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Hotline.
These reports resulted in repeated law enforcement and child protective services responses and were ultimately determined to be unfounded.
Investigators further determined that the reports were knowingly false and were made in a manner that misused emergency and child protection resources.
Thomas A. Margeson, 40, of Painted Post, was arrested on Jan. 1, 2026.
Margeson was charged with 18 counts of falsely report catastrophe or emergency to official agency, third degree, a misdemeanor, in the town of Bath.
He was also charged with 12 counts of falsely reporting child abuse incident to a mandated reporter, third degree, a misdemeanor, in the village of Bath.
Margeson was issued two appearance tickets: one for the Town of Bath Court on Feb. 2, 2026, and one for the Village of Bath Court on Feb. 4, 2026.
