08/05/2026
Watertown has gone to 💩
Watertown Police Department: "Members of our uniform patrol division responded to a stabbing on 08/04/2026 at 1:34 pm at 661 Factory St, apartment 27. A 37-year-old female was found deceased at that location with apparent stab-wounds.
Robert Taplin was identified as the suspect. Robert was located by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Water St and taken into custody at 2:50 pm. Robert was interviewed at the Public Safety Building. Robert admitted to stabbing the female.
The identity of the female is being withheld until proper notifications to next of kin can be completed.
Robert Lee Joseph Taplin was charged with Murder in the second degree, a Class A- 2 felony. He is being held pending arraignment in Jefferson County CAP Court.
We were assisted by City of Watertown Fire Department, Guilfoyle ambulance, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police, the United States Border Patrol, and Jefferson County 911 Center.
The incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information please contact the Watertown Police Department at (315)786-2601 Attn: Detective Gibbs."