Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 58-year-old Carol Steinagle of Cheektowaga was sentenced yesterday morning before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to 8 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.
Our office previously announced that her boyfriend and co-defendant, 44-year-old James K. McGonnell of Cheektowaga, was sentenced to 8 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision in August 2023.
Between November 2017 and January 2020, McGonnell and Steinagle, while acting in concert with one another, forced the victim to remain in a bedroom or the garage for extended periods of time inside of his home on Queens Drive in the Town of Cheektowaga. The defendants, who were the victim’s caregivers, made threats if the victim did not remain confined inside of the bedroom. The victim was also denied basic needs, including food, clothing and access to the bathroom.
McGonnell and Steinagle pleaded guilty to one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “B” violent felony) in March 2023. As part of their sentence, Justice Haendiges issued a final order of protection on behalf of the victim, which remains in effect until 2041. No further information will be provided to protect the identity of the victim in this case.
Acting DA Keane commends the Cheektowaga Police Department and the BestSelf Child Advocacy Center for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Cathleen M. Roemer of the Buffalo City Court Bureau.