Former employee of State Mental Health Office charged after video of child abuse surfaces

(WBNG) — The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday that Gabrielle Xlander, a former New York State Office of Mental Health employee, is facing multiple assault-related charges.

The video, which allegedly shows Xlander and is making the rounds on social media, shows a woman beating up a child and asking “who is that?” her while she’s holding a picture of something on her phone. The boy cries as he is beaten. At the end of the video, a man can be heard telling an Alexa device to call 911.

The district attorney’s office said Xlander was charged Feb. 22 with second-degree assault; a violent felony and attempted assault in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors.

Authorities added that Xlander turned down a plea deal on March 16 that would have seen her plead guilty to assault in the second; she reportedly avoided jail time and received five years of probation and orders of protection for those involved, the district attorney’s office said.

The case will go to trial, but it is unknown when his next court appearance will be. If Xlander is convicted of assault in the second, she will face a maximum of seven years in prison.

In a statement sent to 12 News, the New York State Office of Mental Health said that Xlander does not currently work for the Greater Binghamton Health Center.

“The New York State Office of Mental Health does not tolerate abusive behavior,” the official said. “This employee no longer works for OMH and the matter has been referred to law enforcement.”