Colesville, New York – An Upstate New York man, Patrick D. Proefriedt, 28, was sentenced on Friday to 25 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
The charge stemmed from the tragic death of his 17-day-old daughter, Eleanor Carey, and the injury of his wife, Megan Carey.
What Happened on June 26, 2023?
On June 26, 2023, authorities responded to a home on Route 41 in Colesville, about 17 miles northeast of Binghamton. Prosecutors stated that Proefriedt became upset when his newborn daughter, Eleanor, was crying, and an argument broke out with his wife.
In a violent outburst, Proefriedt grabbed a crossbow and fired an arrow at his wife, who was holding their child. The arrow struck both his wife and his daughter. Eleanor tragically died, while his wife survived the attack.
Proefriedt’s Actions After the Incident
After the incident, Proefriedt fled the scene and hid in the woods, avoiding capture.
Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar expressed his outrage, stating, “After the defendant in this case took the life of his own child, he ran into the woods and hid like a scared rat. A scared rat.”
Proefriedt also took steps to prevent his wife from seeking help, including hiding her phone to prevent her from calling for assistance.
Authorities launched an extensive search for him, which eventually led to his capture when his vehicle became stuck in the mud less than a mile from the scene.
The Heart-Wrenching 911 Call
During the sentencing, prosecutors played a 20-minute 911 call in which Megan Carey was heard comforting her daughter as she bled from the injury. Carey’s desperate cries, including “stay with mommy” and “please don’t die,” were heard over the phone. Tragically, by the time authorities arrived, Eleanor had already passed away.
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Sentencing and Megan Carey’s Statement
In court, Megan Carey addressed her husband directly, saying, “Despite everything that has happened, I still believe in love, I still believe in healing, I believe in forgiveness, but he is beyond forgiveness. He has no empathy and no humanity.”
In the aftermath of his capture, Proefriedt allegedly blamed his wife, claiming she “dared him” to shoot and never asked how she or their daughter were doing. However, before his sentencing, Proefriedt reportedly apologized to his wife “for the sake of my child.”
Justice Served
This case has been one of the most heartbreaking examples of domestic violence, leaving a grieving family and a community in shock.
Proefriedt will now face a long sentence for his unforgivable actions, ensuring that he will not be able to hurt anyone else for a long time.
What are your thoughts on this tragic event? Do you think justice was served in this case? Share your comments below! For more updates, visit ridgecrestpact.org.
