A Syracuse police officer accused of abusing a child has returned to work before the resolution of his prosecution, said department spokesman Kieran Coffey.
Jacob Ternosky, the officer, was arrested in April by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Deputies accused Ternosky of slapping a child and forcefully shoving the child’s face near soiled bed sheets, according to a police report filed in town of Clay court. Deputies said the two incidents happened between Feb. 19 and April 9 of this year.
Following the arrest, the department placed Ternosky on paid leave. The Syracuse Police Department recently closed its internal investigation into Ternosky’s alleged actions. He received a 60-day unpaid suspension and must attend anger management and parenting classes, said Coffey.
The department negotiated the penalties with the Syracuse police union and its president Joseph Moran.
Ternosky has not yet served the suspension, but Moran did not clarify when he will serve it.
The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office is still pursuing prosecution against Ternosky, according to DA William Fitzpatrick. Prosecutors are awaiting information from Ternosky’s lawyers before proceeding with the case, he said.
Based on the information the DA’s office receives, they will decide whether to make an plea offer to Ternosky or set the case for trial.
Coffey said the department has addressed the case “appropriately” in response to questions from Central Current.
Ternosky has worked as a Syracuse police officer since the spring of 2019.
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