A 28-year-old man from Upstate New York, Patrick D. Proefriedt, has been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for the murder of his newborn daughter and the assault of his wife. The sentencing was handed down on Friday, following Proefriedt’s guilty plea to second-degree murder charges in February. The Broome County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Proefriedt’s responsibility for the death of his 17-day-old daughter, Eleanor Carey, and the injury of his wife.
The tragic incident took place on June 26, 2023, at a residence on Route 41 in Colesville, about 17 miles northeast of Binghamton. Prosecutors revealed that Proefriedt became agitated when his daughter started crying, which led to a heated argument with his wife. In a fit of rage, Proefriedt grabbed a crossbow and fired an arrow at his wife, who was holding their child. The arrow hit both the mother and child, resulting in the infant’s death. The mother, however, survived the attack.
After the incident, Proefriedt fled into the nearby woods, leaving his wife without a means to call for help as he had hidden her phone. Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar, during a press conference, compared Proefriedt’s actions to those of a “scared rat.”
In response to the incident, authorities launched a large-scale search for Proefriedt. The New York State Police and Chenango County Sheriff’s Office established a perimeter around the area, deploying multiple patrol units and an aerial drone. Proefriedt was eventually found less than a mile from his home, hiding in the woods after his vehicle became stuck in the mud.
During the sentencing hearing, Proefriedt’s wife, Megan Carey, addressed the court. Despite the traumatic events, she expressed her belief in love, healing, and forgiveness. However, she stated that Proefriedt was “beyond forgiveness,” citing his lack of empathy and humanity.
Following his arrest, Proefriedt attempted to shift blame onto his wife, alleging that she had “dared him” to shoot. He also reportedly showed no concern for the wellbeing of his wife or daughter when questioned by detectives. During the trial, prosecutors played a distressing 911 call lasting over 20 minutes between Carey and dispatchers. In the call, Carey can be heard pleading with her daughter to “stay with mommy” and “please don’t die.” Tragically, by the time help arrived, Eleanor had passed away. Prior to his sentencing, Proefriedt offered an apology to his wife “for the sake of my child.”