Ex-worker at WellLife Network facility arrested for having sex with teen resident, police say
A now-former worker at a home for seriously emotionally disturbed adolescents has been arrested for having sex with a 14-year-old resident, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Hayden Daley, 27, of Deer Park, began the sexual relationship with the girl in July when he was working at the home, according to the police press office. He was arrested Saturday at 1:10 a.m.
The teen was a resident at the home, the WellLife Network, 43 Arista Dr., Dix Hills.
Daley is charged with rape, criminal sex act and child endangerment. He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment hearing Saturday and a judge set bail at $80,000 cash, $160,000 bond or $800,000 partially secured surety bond, according to online court records. It's unclear whether it had been posted.
Daley no longer works at the home, the release said.
Del Atwell, the East Hampton-based attorney listed in the records as representing Daley, did not return a message seeking comment.
A facility representative could not be reached for comment.
New York’s age of consent for sex is 17, and the law further restricts intimate relationships between patients and staffers at certain facilities.
The WellLife Network's website says the group "maintains two residences which provide 24/7 care for youth facing serious mental health challenges."
"Each residence, located in Setauket and Dix Hills, provides an eight bed group home for adolescents diagnosed as seriously emotionally disturbed. The overall program goal is to enhance the social, emotional, and behavioral development of each youth with the target goal of returning the youth to family or independent living," the website says.
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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