AMHERST, NY – Shaland S. Souverain, a 23-year-old resident of Amherst, received a prison sentence on Wednesday for assaulting a Child Protective Services (CPS) employee and custodial interference.
State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges sentenced Souverain to 2 years in prison with 3 years of post-release supervision, alongside a concurrent 1 to 3 years for custodial interference.
The incident occurred on March 10, 2022, when Souverain violated a protective order by taking his 4-year-old child during a supervised visit. In fleeing with the child, he assaulted a CPS worker with his vehicle, causing injuries.
After a five-hour standoff with law enforcement at his apartment, Souverain was arrested, and the child was safely returned to Erie County Child Protective Services.
Souverain pleaded guilty to Assault in the Second Degree and Custodial Interference in the First Degree on October 12. Protective orders have been issued for the victims, effective until March 2035. Souverain’s mother, Dian Schul, also faced charges related to the incident and was sentenced in April.