Poughkeepsie man sentenced for abducting pregnant woman and her children
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office announced that 50-year-old Derrick Woodhouse of Poughkeepsie was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison on January 8. Woodhouse was convicted in June 2024 of kidnapping and threatening a pregnant woman and her two children back in 2023.
The investigation determined that on February 6, 2023, Woodhouse approached the victim's parked car on Spruce Street in Poughkeepsie and held a knife to her stomach while she and her two kids were sitting in the vehicle. He then commanded the victim to drive them to an ATM and withdraw cash.
During the incident, the victim accidentally dropped her wallet and money, leading to a verbal altercation with Woodhouse. According to police reports, the commotion drew the attention of nearby bystanders, causing Woodhouse to flee the scene.
Further investigation resulted in Woodhouse being identified as a suspect, leading to his arrest the following day. A Dutchess County jury found him guilty of two counts of second-degree kidnapping and one count of third-degree attempted robbery on June 11, 2024.
"This sentencing reflects the gravity of the defendant’s actions. The kidnapping and robbery of a vulnerable, pregnant woman and her children is an egregious crime," said Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi. "This 20-year-to-life sentence ensures that the defendant will be held accountable for his actions and that justice is served for the victim, her family, and the community. It is our duty to protect the most vulnerable among us, and this sentence reinforces our commitment to doing so."
The sentencing includes two to four years in prison for the attempted robbery charge. Senior Assistant District Attorneys James Bryant and Jason Richland prosecuted the case, with Judge Jessica Segal presiding.