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Pendleton man in custody, charged with child abuse

Niagara County Sheriff's Office

The Niagara County Sheriff says 44-year-old Christopher Wright surrendered to authorities Thursday morning without incident and has been charged with sexual abuse of a child. Sheriff James Voutour says Wright was to be arrested at his Oakwood Drive home Thursday when the Pendleton man took off, despondent and threatening to kill himself. Patrols were dispatched to the area, then commenced an aerial and ground search.

For safety concerns, Starpoint Central Schools had to go into lockout for a short time Wednesday while events unfurled. Voutour says the search was called off overnight and was to begin again Thursday morning because conditions were not favorable for the police K-9s being used to locate Wright.

Voutour says Wright hid in the woods within about a two-mile range of his home overnight. Authorities were planning to flood the woods with search units about 11 a.m. Thursday, but that was not necessary.

Wright has been charged with the Class-D felonies of sexual abuse of a child in the first and second degree, as well as endangering the welfare of a child. He was being arraigned as Voutour announced the update.

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