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Tag: Department of Children and Families
Duo From Stamford, Bridgeport Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors In Norwalk, Police Say
A Fairfield County man and woman have been arrested for the alleged sex trafficking of minors.
The two, identified as Teresa Martinez, age 36 of Bridgeport, and Eugene Luini, age 60, of Stamford, were arrested by Norwalk Police on Monday, Dec. 26, said Norwalk Deputy Chief Terrence Blake.
In January 2021, the Department of Children and Families received an anonymous tip regarding the sex trafficking of juveniles in Norwalk, Blake said.
The Department of Children and Families notified the Special Victims Unit of the Norwalk Police Department and an investigation was&nbs…
CT School Staffers Accused Of Failing To Report Abuse
Employees of a Connecticut school have been arrested on charges of failure to report abuse by a teacher.
The incident, which included the arrest of the alleged abuser in January, took place in Litchfield County at the Plymouth Center School in Plymouth.
Sherri Turner, age 59, of Farmington, was arrested on Tuesday, Aug. 23, and Melissa Morelli, age 45, of Plymouth, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Both were charged with failure to report abuse, neglect, or injury of a child or imminent risk of serious harm to a child, according to the Plymouth Police Department.
Plymouth Pu…
Alert Issued For Teenage Mother, Baby Who've Gone Missing In Fairfield County
Police in Fairfield County are asking the public for help locating a young mother and her infant son who have been missing for nine days.
On Wednesday, July 27, 15-year-old Emily Benitez and her 5-month-old infant son Oliver Ortiz, of Bridgeport, were reported missing by the family’s state Department of Children and Families case worker, said Capt. Kevin Gilleran, of the Bridgeport Police.
"To fit the criteria for an amber alert there needs to be an imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death," Gilleran said.
On Wednesday, Aug. 3, a Silver Alert was issued by the state Departme…
Dispute Over Dog Leads To Shooting Deaths Of Man, Woman In CT Neighborhood, Police Say
A dispute between neighbors over a dog led to a deadly shooting that left two Connecticut residents dead and another in critical condition.
The incident took place in Hartford around 9 p.m., Sunday, June 19 at 67 Franklin Ave.
According to Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Christina Dang, age 27, and Chase Eugene Garrett, age 39, were killed, who spoke about the incident at a press conference Monday, June 20.
Police responded to a report of gunfire at the multi-family home and found three unresponsive victims with gunshot wounds, said Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police.
The cou…
Man Caught Shoplifting Left Kids Home Alone, Norwalk Police Say
A Fairfield County man was arrested after being caught for alleged shoplifting at a Walmart store and then telling police he left his small children at home.
Christian Otero, 37, of Norwalk, was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 13, after running from a Walmart security officer with alleged stolen merchandise, said Lt. Jared Zwickler, of the Norwalk Police.
When officers arrived at the store, Otero was being held by loss prevention and was arrested by officers.
Otero had stolen $264 in merchandise from the store before running out, Zwickler said.
While being arrested he told the office…
Convicted Rapist Who Lived In CT Failed To Register As Sex Offender, Feds Say
A convicted rapist who was illegally living in Connecticut waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty in Fairfield County for failing to register as a sex offender.
Lester B. Joy, 40, formerly of Waterbury, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to failing to register as a sex offender, said John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2002, Joy was convicted in the State of New Jersey of sexual assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and theft.
For those offenses, he was sentenced …
Nearly 300 Abused By 71 Priests Since 1953, Bridgeport Diocese Says
Following an exhaustive year-long investigation, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport presented the results which reveal church officials covered up sex abuse among leaders and clergy of the diocese.
The report, released Tuesday, Oct. 1, during a press conference, found repeated instances of sexual abuse, and that since 1953, nearly 300 individuals were abused by 71 priests.
The report goes on to say that the abuse was known about as early as 1953. In all, 281 people, nearly all minors, were abused in the church's 66-year history that the report was able to document.
Retired Super…
Bridgeport Man, Woman Arrested At Motel For Allegedly Exposing Infant To Violence
A Bridgeport couple was arrested after allegedly exposing an infant to "intimate partner violence" at a Milford motel.
Leticia Rosa, 33, and John Grace, 31, were arrested around 7:15 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, and charged with risk of injury, criminal trespass, breach of peace, interfering with an officer. Grace was also charged with violating an order of protection, said the Milford Police.
The arrests came after the Milford Police were dispatched to a Rowe Avenue motel to assist the Department of Children and Families with a welfare check, police said.
When they arrived on the scene, they …
CT Phys Ed Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Student
A gym teacher in Connecticut is facing charges for allegedly sexually abusing a student, police said.
Michael Forgione, 49, of Plantsville, was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 5, following an investigation into a complaint made by a Wolcott High School student, where Forgione has served as a teacher and coach for more than 20 years.
Police said that when the complaint by the student was made in May, Forgione was suspended with pay, and he has had no contact with students while the investigation was ongoing.
Following the investigation, police said that it was presented to the Waterbury States …