Judge Released Syracuse Man Awaiting Trial
A judge granted a pretrial release on an ankle monitor to a man charged in a 2024 child overdose death.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Criminal Justice
A judge in Syracuse has released 42-year-old Jeremy DeGonzaque from jail while he awaits trial for criminally negligent homicide. The release occurred against the request of prosecutors, with DeGonzaque required to wear an ankle monitor.
Why it matters
The decision marks a significant development in a case involving the death of 11-year-old Ashton DeGonzaque, whose passing previously prompted the termination of two Onondaga County Child Protective Services caseworkers.
Jeremy DeGonzaque was released on an ankle monitor following a previous cash bail requirement of $2,500 and a $5,000 bond. The next court date for the defendant is scheduled for October 29, 2026.
The players
Jeremy DeGonzaque
He is the 42-year-old defendant who served as the primary caregiver for the victim before being charged with criminally negligent homicide.
Ashton DeGonzaque
The 11-year-old victim died from a drug overdose in March 2024.
Onondaga County Child Protective Services
The agency responsible for child welfare in the region dismissed two caseworkers following the death of the victim.
The details
Jeremy DeGonzaque was the primary caregiver for the child for approximately five months before the victim was found dead in an East Division Street apartment in March 2024. The child died from an overdose involving a mixture of cocaine, marijuana, and bath salts.
Timeline
March 2024: The victim was found dead at an East Division Street apartment.
2024: Two Onondaga County Child Protective Services caseworkers were fired.
May 2026: Jeremy DeGonzaque was charged with criminally negligent homicide.
September 24, 2026: The judge released the defendant from jail on an ankle monitor.
October 29, 2026: A court date is scheduled for the defendant.
Legal Context
This case follows the 2024 firing of two Onondaga County Child Protective Services caseworkers, which drew intense public scrutiny to the agency's oversight. The ongoing legal proceedings against the caregiver represent a significant escalation in the investigation of the child's death.
The release of the defendant into the community may raise concerns among local residents regarding public safety and the status of the ongoing investigation. The court's decision to utilize an ankle monitor is the primary security measure currently in place for the local area.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing intersection of local child protective investigations and the judicial system in Syracuse. Readers should note that pretrial release conditions are subject to change based on judicial findings at upcoming court dates.
What happens next
The defendant is scheduled to appear in court on October 29, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSTM.
