'Eddie' Helps Child Sexually Abused By NYPD Detective To Face Abuser

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — A court-certified support animal helped a young victim to remain brave while testifying against an abuser in a position of power.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced that an 18-year New York Police Department detective, who was convicted of sexually abusing a young child in his Briarcliff Manor home in March 2023, was sentenced to five years in prison.

"Today's sentence won't erase the nightmare endured by a very young child and her family who had to relive the trauma during trial," Rocah said. "The just outcome of this case is testament to their extraordinary bravery, and the commitment of prosecutors and police working together to bring this defendant to justice."

Wilson Frias was also sentenced to 10 years of post-release supervision, and after his release will be required to register as a sex offender.

A jury in October found the 52-year-old guilty of felony first degree sexual abuse, and midemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. Upon the jury’s verdict, Frias was remanded to Westchester County Jail.

Following his conviction, Frias was terminated from the NYPD.

As detailed during the trial, at approximately 2 p.m. on March 11, 2023, Frias subjected the victim to sexual contact in his Briarcliff Manor home, where the victim was for a playdate. When the victim informed a parent, the incident was reported to Briarcliff Manor police.

During the trial, the young victim testified in court, with the support of Eddie, a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever that works as a court-certified support animal. The trial marked the first time in Westchester County where the court granted the use of a support animal to accompany a victim to court on a criminal case, and only the second time in New York.

Rocah thanked the Briarcliff Manor Police Department and Detective J.P. Chavez for their investigation and bringing this case to the DA's Office. The DA also thanked Tuckahoe Police Department Chief Larry Rotta, handler of Eddie, who has been working as a court-certified support animal since July and supported the young victim at trial.

"Wilson’s guilty verdict confirms my belief in the justice system and that karma does exist," the victim's mother said in a victim impact statement read in court. "In my opinion, there is no punishment harsh enough to justify what Wil did to my [child] and my family. He does not deserve to be free."

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Gudis and Assistant District Attorney Morgan Helfman of the Child Abuse Bureau in the Special Prosecutions Division.