NEW ROCHELLE, NY (October 20, 2026) — A New Rochelle man has been charged with felony assault, child endangerment and animal cruelty following a police investigation into allegations that he beat his daughter with a belt during a sleepover at his 11 Garden Street apartment and mistreated a Cane Corso puppy. Xavier Sanchez, 35, was arraigned in New Rochelle City Court on October 17, with bail set at $10,000 cash.
According to a New Rochelle Police Department press release issued October 20, detectives conducted a follow-up investigation around 6 p.m. on October 16 into allegations of child abuse and animal cruelty. The initial complaint alleged that Sanchez assaulted his daughter with a belt during a recent sleepover at his apartment. The child lives with her mother in New York City.
During the investigation, detectives learned that Sanchez owned a Cane Corso puppy that was reportedly being mistreated. Investigators went to the Garden Street apartment to interview neighbors and heard a dog yelping in apparent distress while they were in the hallway.
Detectives knocked on the apartment door, where Sanchez met them and allowed them inside. According to police, investigators discovered that the puppy’s ears were bleeding from apparent cutting injuries. The animal also had significant bruising and swelling to its face.
Sanchez was taken into custody in connection with the reported assault involving his daughter. Because of the severity of the puppy’s injuries and its need for immediate medical attention, police removed the animal from the apartment.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was notified and directed investigators to transport the puppy to an emergency veterinary facility in Greenburgh for evaluation and treatment.
Court records show Sanchez was charged with second-degree assault, a Class D felony; two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Class A misdemeanors; and one count of torturing or injuring an animal under New York Agriculture and Markets Law § 353, also a Class A misdemeanor.
Sanchez appeared before Judge Daniel P. Romano in New Rochelle City Court on October 17. Court records show that a temporary order of protection was issued and bail was set at $10,000 cash, $100,000 insured bond or $100,000 partially secured surety bond.
The court scheduled further proceedings for October 19.
According to Westchester County Department of Correction custody records, Sanchez was booked into the county jail on October 17 at 3:10 p.m. He was released on bond on October 20 at 2:45 a.m. The records do not specify the amount or type of bond posted.
Police said the investigations into the reported assault and animal cruelty remain ongoing.
Anyone with additional information may contact New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne at 914-654-2254.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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