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Department of Children and Families

Stamford Teacher Accused Of Inappropriately Touching 12 Elementary School Students Stamford Teacher Accused Of Inappropriately Touching 12 Elementary School Students
Stamford Teacher Accused Of Inappropriately Touching 12 Elementary School Students An elementary school teacher in Fairfield County has been accused of inappropriately touching a dozen students. On Friday April 5, the Stamford Police Department Family Services Unit executed a search-and-seizure warrant at a residence in Norwalk after being notified by the Department of Children and Families in February, leading to an investigation with student testimonies in which each of the students disclosed details of their encounters. All 12 victims were female students  at Strawberry Hill Elementary School in Stamford. The teacher, Andrew Park, was arrested and charged with 12…
'Predatory, Grooming Behavior' Leads To Firing Of Bethel HS Coach, Officials Say 'Predatory, Grooming Behavior' Leads To Firing Of Bethel HS Coach, Officials Say
'Predatory, Grooming Behavior' Leads To Firing Of Bethel HS Coach, Officials Say A high school coach has been fired after a school district in Fairfield County received a "very serious report" from students before the Thanksgiving holiday. The assistant coach worked at Bethel High School, but was not an employee who worked in school buildings daily, according to officials. "The safety of our students is our highest priority and when that safety is compromised we take action," Bethel High School Principal Christopher Troetti and Superintendent of Schools Christine Carver said in a letter to the community.  After receiving the report, officials "immediately" co…
Beloved Nurse Remembered After Being Found Dead In CT Basement: 'Always Went Extra Step' Beloved Nurse Remembered After Being Found Dead In CT Basement: 'Always Went Extra Step'
Beloved Nurse Remembered After Being Found Dead In CT Basement: 'Always Went Extra Step' A beloved mother, grandmother, and wife who dedicated her life to doing everything she could for her patients as a visiting nurse is being remembered following her murder in a Connecticut residence.  Joyce Grayson, age 63, died on Saturday, Oct. 28 after going missing while she was performing her duties as a visiting nurse at a residence in the Windham County municipality of Willimantic. Grayson was reported missing by her family around 2 p.m. on Saturday, prompting Willimantic Police to search the area of Chapman Street. After finding her vehicle, officers tracked her to a nearby resi…
CT Man Arrested After Seen Kissing 10-Year-Old Boy, Police Say CT Man Arrested After Seen Kissing 10-Year-Old Boy, Police Say
CT Man Arrested After Seen Kissing 10-Year-Old Boy, Police Say A 44-year-old Connecticut man has been charged after he was allegedly seen on video kissing a 10-year-old boy. New Haven County resident William Gordon, of Naugatuck, was charged on Saturday, Oct. 14 after police responded to a home for a complaint made by a parent. According to Naugatuck Police, the parent has seen a video in which Gordon is shown kissing the boy. Gordon admitted kissing the boy and said it was part of a social media trend. Gordon, whose cell phone was taken as evidence, was taken into custody. He was charged with: Cruelty to persons Risk of injury to a juvenile Impa…
Child Left In Car In 'Extreme Heat,' Father Arrested In Bridgeport, Police Say Child Left In Car In 'Extreme Heat,' Father Arrested In Bridgeport, Police Say
Child Left In Car In 'Extreme Heat,' Father Arrested In Bridgeport, Police Say The father of a small child allegedly left in a car in extreme heat while he shopped in Fairfield County has been charged with reckless endangerment. The incident took place in Bridgeport around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 6 in the parking lot of the Bass Pro Shop. According to Scott Appleby, emergency management director for the City of Bridgeport, the department received a 911 call from a person reporting she and two others came upon a small child that was left in a vehicle and the child was banging on the window. The woman indicated they had to break the window to retrieve the child due …
Duo From Stamford, Bridgeport Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors In Norwalk, Police Say Duo From Stamford, Bridgeport Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors In Norwalk, Police Say
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…
Ex-Teacher In CT Accused Of Having Inappropriate Relationship With Student Ex-Teacher In CT Accused Of Having Inappropriate Relationship With Student
Ex-Teacher In CT Accused Of Having Inappropriate Relationship With Student A Connecticut teacher has been arrested for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Hartford County drama teacher Karen Vinick, age 34, of Manchester, was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 13, by East Hartford Police. The incident began in June when East Hartford PD detectives began investigating a report from the Department of Children and Families that Vinick, a teacher at CREC Academy of Computer Science and Engineering Middle School, was allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student, said Officer Marc Caruso, of the East Hartford Police. During…
Three Arrested In CT Hoarding Case Where Some 200 Cats Were Found, Police Say Three Arrested In CT Hoarding Case Where Some 200 Cats Were Found, Police Say
Three Arrested In CT Hoarding Case Where Some 200 Cats Were Found, Police Say Three Connecticut adults were charged with 106 counts of animal cruelty in connection to a cat hoarding incident. The incident was discovered in Litchfield County on Monday, June 13 in Winsted. The arrests took place on Wednesday, Oct. 19.  According to Chief William Fitzgerald of the Winchester Police, on June 13, the department received an anonymous phone call about a sick cat at a home on Moore Avenue.  An animal control officer responded to the home and noticed a "strong odor of urine" coming from inside the home, Fitzgerald said. Numerous cats were seen inside the residence…
CT Father Charged With Severely Beating 6-Week-Old, Police Say CT Father Charged With Severely Beating 6-Week-Old, Police Say
CT Father Charged With Severely Beating 6-Week-Old, Police Say A Connecticut father has been arrested for allegedly severely beating his 6-week-old causing extensive injuries. The incident took place around in New Haven County around 4 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 23, in Ansonia. According to Lt. Patrick Lynch of the Ansonia Police, the department was notified on Friday by the Department of Children and Families of a possible child abuse case. DCF reported the juvenile victim was currently at Yale New Haven Hospital being treated for injuries. Hospital personnel informed police the child had multiple injuries including, a brain bleed, fractured ribs, lacera…
New Details Emerge Into Allegations Of Unreported Abuse At CT Elementary School New Details Emerge Into Allegations Of Unreported Abuse At CT Elementary School
New Details Emerge Into Allegations Of Unreported Abuse At CT Elementary School The arrest report for a Connecticut teacher accused of sexually abusing young female students reveals that as many as 13 victims had reported the teacher's alleged actions to the principal or other authorities for several years. News of the Litchfield County teacher's actions became public on Tuesday, Aug. 23, with the arrest of three employees and a former administrator, for failing to report abuse by a former Plymouth Center School teacher, James Eschert, a Hartford County resident. Those arrested were: Chrystal Collins, age 59, of Bristol Rebecca Holleran, age 47, of Bristol Sherri Tur…
CT School Staffers Accused Of Failing To Report Abuse CT School Staffers Accused Of Failing To Report Abuse
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…
Police Investigating After CT 5-Month-Old 'Severely Injured,' Police Say Police Investigating After CT 5-Month-Old 'Severely Injured,' Police Say
Police Investigating After CT 5-Month-Old 'Severely Injured,' Police Say Police are investigating after learning that a 5-month-old is in a Connecticut hospital with "severe injuries." Police in Windham County in Plainfield received a report on Wednesday, Aug. 10 from the state Department of Children and Families that the infant was admitted to  Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford. The person from DCF told police the infant suffered from severe injuries believed to be sustained in the Wauregan village of Plainfield, said the Plainfield Police.  Detectives responded to Hartford interviewing involved parties throughout the n…
Alert Issued For Teenage Mother, Baby Who've Gone Missing In Fairfield County Alert Issued For Teenage Mother, Baby Who've Gone Missing In Fairfield County
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…
Search Intensifies For CT Man Wanted For Shooting 2-Year-Old Search Intensifies For CT Man Wanted For Shooting 2-Year-Old
Search Intensifies For CT Man Wanted For Shooting 2-Year-Old As a 2-year-old boy continues to improve after being shot in the torso, police are intensifying their search for alleged suspect. The child was shot in New Haven County in Waterbury on Tuesday, June 21 at 99 Pinecrest Drive. Police identified the shooter as 20-year-old Kharis Samuels, of Waterbury, said the Lt. Ryan Bessette of the Waterbury Police Department. On Thursday, June 23, Bessette says there have been no sightings of Samuels, but "thankfully the child continues to improve." The shooting took place when Samuels was showing a gun to other people in the home when it discharged, str…
Police ID Man Wanted In Shooting Of 2-Year-Old CT Boy Police ID Man Wanted In Shooting Of 2-Year-Old CT Boy
Police ID Man Wanted In Shooting Of 2-Year-Old CT Boy Police have identified a man wanted in connection with the shooting of a 2-year-old Connecticut boy. The child was shot in the torso in New Haven County in Waterbury on Tuesday, June 21 at 99 Pinecrest Drive. Police identified the shooter as 20-year-old Kharis Samuels, of Waterbury, said the Waterbury Police Department. The family did not call 911 and instead brought the toddler to Waterbury Hospital around 1:35 p.m. The hospital notified police, and the child was then flown to Connecticut Children's hospital, where he is listed in critical, but stable condition, police said. According to…
Dispute Over Dog Leads To Shooting Deaths Of Man, Woman In CT Neighborhood, Police Say Dispute Over Dog Leads To Shooting Deaths Of Man, Woman In CT Neighborhood, Police Say
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…
CT Mom Accused Of Leaving 2-Year-Old Home Alone CT Mom Accused Of Leaving 2-Year-Old Home Alone
CT Mom Accused Of Leaving 2-Year-Old Home Alone A Connecticut mom has been arrested after allegedly leaving her 2-year-old home alone to go shopping. The child was found crying in New Haven County in Wolcott around 9:30 p.m., Thursday, May 19, according to police. Police officers responded to a home on Long Meadow Drive where a neighbor found a very young child wandering in the front yard all by himself, wet and crying, said the Wolcott Police. The neighbor picked up the barefoot child, who was only wearing shorts, and a T-shirt, and immediately called the police, the department said. The child was found by the neighbor after she heard…
Woman Arrested For Having Sex With Minor In Fairfield County, Police Say Woman Arrested For Having Sex With Minor In Fairfield County, Police Say
Woman Arrested For Having Sex With Minor In Fairfield County, Police Say A Connecticut woman has been arrested in Fairfield County for allegedly having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a minor. Litchfield County resident Krystal Jones, age 34, of New Milford, was arrested on Tuesday, April 12 by Danbury Police. Danbury Police Department received a complaint from the Department of Children and Families in March that a 15-year-old juvenile male was involved in a sexual relationship with Jones, officials said. "After a thorough investigation, using many investigative techniques and sources, Detective Basile established probable cause to bel…
Arrest Made In Major Crime Sex Assault Investigation, CT State Police Announce Arrest Made In Major Crime Sex Assault Investigation, CT State Police Announce
Arrest Made In Major Crime Sex Assault Investigation, CT State Police Announce A Connecticut man turned himself in to state police on charges he allegedly sexually assaulted at least two young girls. Windham County resident Brian Joseph Webb, age 64, of Ashford, was arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 26, said the Connecticut State Police. According to troopers Webb had two warrants out for his arrest in connection with the case that began with a tip to the Department of Children and families in July 2020. State Police said the main victim, a small child, lived with a woman and Webb at a home in Woodstock in Windham County. The child said she told her mother of abuse while We…
Two Arrested After Two-Year-Old Points Gun At Detectives In Connecticut, Police Say Two Arrested After Two-Year-Old Points Gun At Detectives In Connecticut, Police Say
Two Arrested After Two-Year-Old Points Gun At Detectives In Connecticut, Police Say A Connecticut man and woman were arrested after a two-year-old child allegedly pointed a semi-automatic handgun with a red laser attachment at detectives during an investigation. The incident took place on Friday, June 25, when members of the New Haven Police along with members from various federal task forces, conducted an investigation at a Dayton street home. During the investigation, the child took the gun, which was left unattended on a bed, and pointed it at detectives, New Haven Police said. Detectives were able to secure the handgun without incident.  The Department of Childr…
Mother Accused Of Abandoning Child On Street In Fairfield County, Police Say Mother Accused Of Abandoning Child On Street In Fairfield County, Police Say
Mother Accused Of Abandoning Child On Street In Fairfield County, Police Say Just hours after Fairfield County put out a call for help to the public to identify a child abandoned on a city street in the rain his biological mother has been arrested. Bridgeport Police asked the public for help on Friday, April 9, after the 5-year-old boy named Prince was abandoned at around 5:44 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, in the area of Burroughs Street and East Main Street, said Bridgeport Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran. Gilleran said the child had been left by a Black woman driving a white Infinity Q50 or Q40 sedan. Prince, who has some disabilities, was unable to tell the police a…
Fairfield County Woman Accused Of Child Abuse Fairfield County Woman Accused Of Child Abuse
Fairfield County Woman Accused Of Child Abuse A 38-year-old Fairfield County woman was arrested for alleged child abuse. Magaly Gonzalez, age 38, of Norwalk was arrested on Friday, Jan. 29, by the Norwalk Police following an investigation into injuries to a child that is known to her, said Sgt. Sofia Gulino. On Monday, Dec.21, Norwalk Police officers were requested to check on the welfare of a child at the request of the Department of Children and Families. Information was provided to DCF that the child was observed with an injury. Special Victims Unit took over the investigation and found probable cause to apply for the arrest warran…
Man Caught Shoplifting Left Kids Home Alone, Norwalk Police Say Man Caught Shoplifting Left Kids Home Alone, Norwalk Police Say
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 Convicted Rapist Who Lived In CT Failed To Register As Sex Offender, Feds Say
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 …
Abandoned New Haven Baby Released From Hospital Abandoned New Haven Baby Released From Hospital
Abandoned New Haven Baby Released From Hospital The New Haven baby who was abandoned in a Dumpster last week has been released from the hospital. On Tuesday, Oct. 20, New Haven Police said around 4 p.m. that the 8-month-old baby girl that had been found in a Dumpster on Monday, Oct. 12, has been successfully treated and released from the hospital. She is now with members of her family, police said. It isn’t clear what exactly the baby was treated for, but police did say she had burn injuries when maintenance workers discovered her in the trash outside the Presidential Garden Apartments on Dixwell Avenue in New Haven. “As the child conti…
Norwalk Man Drives Drunk With Kids In Vehicle For Second Time This Month, Police Say Norwalk Man Drives Drunk With Kids In Vehicle For Second Time This Month, Police Say
Norwalk Man Drives Drunk With Kids In Vehicle For Second Time This Month, Police Say A man who had been arrested earlier in the month for allegedly driving drunk with children in the vehicle has been arrested again on the same charge. John Deacy, 62, of Norwalk, was arrested by Wilton Police on Saturday, Dec. 21, when a passing motorist informed officers that a pickup truck was driving erratically on Danbury Road, said the Wilton Police Department. Officers were able to locate the white 2000 Ford F150 truck on Danbury Road near the intersection of Cannon Road, police said. A traffic stop was made after the driver failed to maintain a proper lane, police said. When officer…
CT Man Charged With Assaulting 7-Month-Old Infant CT Man Charged With Assaulting 7-Month-Old Infant
CT Man Charged With Assaulting 7-Month-Old Infant A 7-month-old infant was hospitalized with severe injuries after allegedly being assaulted by a 37-year-old man, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said. DEEP troopers were contacted by the Department of Children and Families on Thursday, Sept. 26 that an infant from Ashford, Connecticut, in Windham County, was being treated at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford with suspicious injuries all over her body. According to DEEP, the doctors treating the 7-month old believed the injuries to be suspicious in nature and that they were indicativ…
Bloods Gang Member Busted With Gun, Drugs During Raid In Norwalk Bloods Gang Member Busted With Gun, Drugs During Raid In Norwalk
Bloods Gang Member Busted With Gun, Drugs During Raid In Norwalk A Nine Try Bloods gang member was busted on drugs and weapons charged following the execution of a search warrant. Koudris Pounder, 35, of Norwalk, was busted during a raid by the Norwalk Police Department's Emergency Services Unit Tactical Response Team and the Special Services Division at his home on Lexington Avenue, Lt. Terry Blake said. Koudris PounderNorwalk Police Department The bust comes after a three-month investigation into drug sales by Ponder by the Special Services Division, Blake said. According to Blake, Pounder is a federally convicted felon and a member of the Nine Tr…
Nearly 300 Abused By 71 Priests Since 1953, Bridgeport Diocese Says Nearly 300 Abused By 71 Priests Since 1953, Bridgeport Diocese Says
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 Bridgeport Man, Woman Arrested At Motel For Allegedly Exposing Infant To Violence
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 CT Phys Ed Teacher Accused Of Sexually Abusing Student
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 …