NEW CITY – Rockland County has assessed some $42,000 in penalties to property owner Joel Friedman of Spring Valley following the identification of 51 violations at a building at 18 White Street in Spring Valley.

Following the death of a child at that address, Spring Valley Police requested an inspection of the property. The child’s death and the cause are under investigation by village police and authorities said at this point, there are no known facts indicating the condition of the structure contributed to the death of the child.

Inspection found a converted garage and other violations including alterations without required permits, electrical safety hazards, missing or non-functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, presence of combustible materials, blocked or obstructed exits, and unlawful changes to the building’s use and occupancy.

There is no history of prior violations.

During the inspection on January 22, county officials found the second floor, garage and basement had been unlawfully converted for residential use, contrary to the building’s certification of occupancy.

Inspectors also found that uninhabitable areas, including the basement and garage, were being occupied, with garage doors and windows boarded up.

Other hazardous conditions included unsafe electrical wiring, illicit uses of hot plates and portable heaters, blocked exits, and missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the structure.

Officials said there was also commentary on social media suggesting the property was openly and obviously operating as a daycare facility, but there was nothing to substantiate that claim.

County Executive Ed Day said the county “can and will act decisively when violations are identified, but we depend on residents to report unsafe conditions – especially in properties that are not subject to routine inspections.

This property has a certificate of occupancy as a two-family residence and those are not subject to routine inspections. Those may be conducted when a complaint is received that includes enough evidence supporting the finding of probable cause that violations exist at the premises.