Karen A. Rendon, 23

By Ben Crnic From Daily Voice

A woman has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a 6-year-old child inside a Dutchess County home, prompting a massive emergency response and an overnight search.

Karen A. Rendon, 30, of Poughkeepsie, was taken into custody in connection with the stabbing on Sunday morning, Dec. 7, and now faces felony assault and weapon charges, as well as counts of endangering the welfare of a child, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department announced on Monday, Dec. 8. 

Officers were called to a residence on Creek Road just before 6 p.m. for a report of a child with multiple stab wounds. When officers arrived, two people were already providing lifesaving aid to the injured 6-year-old. Police continued medical care and secured the home while EMS responders arrived.

A second child in the home witnessed the attack, fled outside, and flagged down passing cars on Creek Road for help, authorities said. The motorists immediately called 911 and helped the injured child until EMS arrived.

Multiple agencies responded, including the Town and City of Poughkeepsie police, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, and EMS personnel. 

During the investigation, police determined that Rendon had allegedly stabbed the child before fleeing the residence. Early reports about a barricaded suspect were determined to be inaccurate. 

A Town of Poughkeepsie officer later found Rendon around 2:11 a.m. Sunday near Parker Avenue in the City of Poughkeepsie. She was taken into custody without incident. 

Police said the 6-year-old victim is in stable condition and expected to recover. 

Rendon was arraigned Sunday and charged with first-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

She was sent to Dutchess County Jail on $500,000 cash bail, $1 million bond, or a $1.5 million partially secured bond.

Rendon was previously arrested in 2018 for violating a protective order, as Daily Voice previously reported. 

Police thanked the citizens who acted “swiftly and courageously” to help the child, and they are asking anyone with information to contact the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Detective Division at 845-485-3670.

The investigation remains active.