CATSKILL, NY — New York State Police have arrested an 85-year-old man following an investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse.
Thomas A. Bender, of Coxsackie, was taken into custody Dec. 8 after troopers received a report alleging he engaged in sexual contact with a child less than 11 years old.
Bender was charged with sexual abuse in the first degree, a class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
He was processed at the State Police barracks in Catskill and arraigned in the Town of Coxsackie Court.
Bender was remanded to the Greene County Jail with no bail set.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12 in the Town of Coxsackie Court, and he is scheduled to reappear in court on Jan. 12, 2026.
State Police were assisted by the Greene County Child Advocacy Center.
