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Department of Children and Families

Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With Kids In Car To Pull Over: Police Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With Kids In Car To Pull Over: Police
Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With Kids In Car To Pull Over: Police A Connecticut woman caught driving while drunk and with three children in her uninsured SUV could have caused a crash if not for a quick-thinking driver who forced her off the road, authorities said.  Michelle Bullett, 36, of Hartford, was arrested Tuesday night, Nov. 19, after multiple people called 911 to report an SUV swerving along I-91, Connecticut State Police said. The calls came in around 8 p.m. when her silver Volvo SUV was spotted swerving along the interstate near Exit 24 in Wethersfield. Police later found her pulled over near Exit 21 in Cromwell after another driver positi…
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 …
Ex-CT Teacher Accused Of Committing Sexual Assault Ex-CT Teacher Accused Of Committing Sexual Assault
Ex-CT Teacher Accused Of Committing Sexual Assault A former Connecticut elementary school teacher has been charged with the sexual assault of a 10-year-old female student, according to an arrest warrant. The warrant, obtained by WFSB Eyewitness News 3, details the arrest of Erving Rivera, age 50, of Hartford, for allegedly kissing and having sexual contact with a female student in his classroom.  He was arrested and charged on Wednesday, April 5, with sexual assault and illegal sexual contact with a victim under 16, court records show.  Rivera, who was a special education teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in New Britain, …
Fairfield County Duo Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors, Police Say Fairfield County Duo Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors, Police Say
Fairfield County Duo Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors, 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…
CT Woman Arrested For Having Sex With 15-Year-Old, Police Say CT Woman Arrested For Having Sex With 15-Year-Old, Police Say
CT Woman Arrested For Having Sex With 15-Year-Old, 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…