Leslie A. Finch, 25, of Kill Buck, who stands accused of killing her 1-year-old daughter in April, is back in Cattaraugus County Jail after a bondsman last week revoked the $100,000 insurance bond on which she was released.
According to Jane St. John, the court’s deputy clerk, a bondsman discovered that Harry Scull, 41, who has been charged with felony insurance fraud after allegedly burning down his Buffalo Road home in Allegany earlier in April, put up that property and some money to fund Finch’s release.
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“He did” pay her bond on June 5, St. John confirmed to the Times Herald on Thursday afternoon, “and then the bondsman revoked the bond because apparently the property he put up to secure it was one that was burned down.”
Finch was again remanded to the county jail on Sept. 17, St. John said. No formal announcement to the media had been made at the time.
District Attorney Lori Rieman said Finch’s attorney, Jason Schmidt of Fredonia, was present.
“Instead of just putting out a warrant (for her arrest), we gave the attorney the courtesy of letting him know,” St. John said. “The bondsman can revoke it any time he wants.”
Normally, defendants must post at least 10 percent of bond or bail, the deputy clerk said, noting she was unsure exactly how much had been posted for Finch’s release in June.
“On (a bond) that large, they usually have to put up some property to back it up,” St. John added.
The relationship between Finch and Scull was unclear as of Thursday afternoon. Arrest records indicate both of their addresses as 3629 N. Authority Road, Kill Buck.
Rieman did not offer comment on their relationship or whether or not authorities believe Finch knew about Scull’s alleged actions to cause the fire.
“Whether or not she knew about it, we don’t know. She was in jail,” Rieman said.
A source close to the investigation said Scull and Finch’s mother were involved romantically.
Finch’s next court date, a return on motions, is slated for Nov. 2. Jury selection in her murder trial will begin Feb. 22.
Finch has pleaded not guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, a class A-1 felony; first-degree manslaughter, a class B felony; second-degree manslaughter, a class C felony; reckless assault of a child, a class D felony; first-degree assault, a class B felony; two counts of second-degree assault, a class D felony; and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
Around noon on April 24, emergency responders were called to 191 Broad St., Salamanca, to help a 1-year-old girl, Mila Whipple, who was not breathing. Mila succumbed to her extensive injuries two days later at Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.
Finch, the child’s biological mother, was charged in her death on May 19.
No additional charges have been filed, Rieman said.
Scull was charged Sept. 9 with second-degree insurance fraud, a class C felony, following a months-long investigation into a fire and explosion April 6 at his former home at 3122 Buffalo Road, Allegany.
Firefighters with Allegany Engine Co. responded at approximately 9:30 p.m. that day and were joined by several other volunteer agencies to douse the blaze consuming the small, single-story residence.
Nearby residents that evening reported a loud explosion near the intersection of Buffalo Road and North 7th Street. No injuries were reported, and no one was home at the time.
Authorities allege Scull caused the blaze and fled that night to Syracuse. He was released under supervision.
No information on his next court date was available Thursday.
