A 33-year-old Hudson woman is facing a criminal charge after authorities say she encouraged two children under the age of 12 to physically fight one another over a dispute that started on Snapchat, then stayed and kept cheering them on as the altercation unfolded. Sasha Brown was charged with endangering the welfare of a child following the incident at Greenport Garden Apartments on Green Acres Road.
According to WRGB, Brown encouraged the two children to fight to resolve the Snapchat disagreement, remained present throughout the altercation, and continued urging them on as it played out. Neither child required hospital treatment nor sustained injuries, the station reported. One of the children is known to Brown, while the other reportedly is not. The altercation took place on October 3 and was recorded and shared on social media, which the station says led to public inquiries following the video's circulation.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office received the report on October 6 after Child Protective Services referred the matter, according to WRGB. That referral set off a dual-track response: the sheriff's Criminal Investigative Branch and Patrol Division pursued the misdemeanor charge against Brown, while Columbia County Child Protective Services assisted in the broader investigation.
How the Snapchat Dispute Escalated
Separate reporting from Hudsonvalley360 described Brown as having allegedly supervised and cheered on the two children as they physically fought over the Snapchat dispute at the apartment complex. The outlet's account aligns with the broader timeline laid out by investigators, placing the confrontation squarely within the Greenport Garden Apartments complex on Green Acres Road.
The complex sits within the Town of Greenport, which surrounds the City of Hudson on three sides. The town had an estimated population of 4,393 as of 2023, according to New York State Comptroller fiscal monitoring records.
What the Child Endangerment Charge Requires Prosecutors to Prove
Brown was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a count that under New York Penal Law § 260.10(1) applies when a person knowingly acts in a manner likely to harm a child's physical, mental, or moral welfare — meaning prosecutors do not need to prove that a child was actually injured to secure a conviction, according to legal guidance published by FindLaw. The offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor and can carry up to one year in jail.
Brown was issued an appearance ticket, directing her to appear in Greenport Town Court on October 19 at 3 p.m.; Hudsonvalley360 reported the October 19 court date, while WRGB reported the 3 p.m. appearance time.
Child Protective Services' Role in the Investigation
Columbia County Child Protective Services assisted the investigation, while the Sheriff's Office charged Brown.
