Westchester Woman Accused Of Violently Attacking Pregnant Social Worker On Christmas Eve: DA

YONKERS, NY — An unprovoked act of Christmas Eve violence marred the holiday for a pregnant Westchester County Department of Social Services employee, according to police.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that 30-year-old Melissa Cochrane, of Yonkers, was arrested Wednesday afternoon after attacking a pregnant Department of Social Services employee at the agency's Yonkers district office.

Cochrane was arraigned Thursday on three felony counts of second-degree assault, and one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Prosecutors requested that Cochrane be held on bail in the amount of $25,000 cash/$50,000 secured bond/$100,000 partially secured bond. However, the judge released Cochrane, without bail, on her own recognizance, and the case is set to be heard next on Jan. 8.

According to a felony complaint filed on Dec. 24, inside the Yonkers district office of the Westchester County Department of Social Services, Cochrane started arguing with case workers who were trying to comply with a court order. She then grabbed a pregnant DSS worker on her neck and chest and forced her to the ground, according to the complaint.

"The safety of our social services employees, who go out into the community every day to provide essential services to those in need, is non-negotiable," DA Cacace said. "As alleged, the defendant committed a brazen assault on a dedicated county employee who was simply doing her job. Public servants should never have to fear for their safety when they clock into work. I stand with all in this county who are outraged by this incident and call for the passage of legislation that would enhance penalties for assaults on our social services employees."

The case was investigated by the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, and is being prosecuted by the Yonkers branch.