Tag:

Department of Children and Families

Half-Sister Of Man Held Captive 20 Years In Waterbury Speaks Out: 'I'm Disgusted' Half-Sister Of Man Held Captive 20 Years In Waterbury Speaks Out: 'I'm Disgusted'
Half-Sister Of Man Held Captive 20 Years In Waterbury Speaks Out: 'I'm Disgusted' The half-sister of a 32-year-old man who was imprisoned in a Connecticut home for two decades is speaking out against the stepmother who allegedly held him captive. "I have no kind words. I’m disgusted, I’m disappointed. How could you be such a monster?" she said on the "Chaz and AJ in the Morning" show. "How could you do that to a child?” Heather Tessman told WPLR's radio hosts that she had spent her adult life looking for her half-brother but couldn't find him. She was horrified when she saw reports last week of the hell he had endured while hidden away inside a home on Blake Street in Wa…
Trapped For 20 Years: Waterbury Police Detail Life Of Man Held Captive By Stepmom Trapped For 20 Years: Waterbury Police Detail Life Of Man Held Captive By Stepmom
Trapped For 20 Years: Waterbury Police Detail Life Of Man Held Captive By Stepmom The numbers are chilling.  A 32-year-old man, standing five feet nine inches tall and weighing just 68 pounds, was forced to live in an 8-by-9-foot room for 20 years.  All because his 56-year-old stepmother said so, Waterbury police said. Kimberly Sullivan was arrested this week and charged with first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment, police said. She was released from jail on Thursday after posting a $300,000 bond. Original Report: Waterbury Woman Held Stepson Captive For 20 Y…
Waterbury Woman Held Stepson Captive For 2 Decades In 'Horrific' Conditions: Police Waterbury Woman Held Stepson Captive For 2 Decades In 'Horrific' Conditions: Police
Waterbury Woman Held Stepson Captive For 2 Decades In 'Horrific' Conditions: Police A Connecticut woman has been arrested after police say she held her stepson captive for over two decades, subjecting him to extreme neglect and abuse before he allegedly set fire to their home in a desperate bid for freedom. Kimberly Sullivan, 56, of Waterbury, was arrested on Wednesday, March 12, and charged with multiple felonies, including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful restraint, cruelty to persons, and first-degree reckless endangerment, police said.  New Report: Stepmom Accused Of Holding Man Hostage Posts Bond; Police Detail Victim's Lif…
Man Who Stabbed Woman Repeatedly, Leaps From 2-Story Waterbury Home In Failed Getaway: Cops Man Who Stabbed Woman Repeatedly, Leaps From 2-Story Waterbury Home In Failed Getaway: Cops
Man Who Stabbed Woman Repeatedly, Leaps From 2-Story Waterbury Home In Failed Getaway: Cops A 37-year-old Connecticut man jumped from a second-story window to escape police after he allegedly stabbed the mother of his children multiple times during an argument, authorities said. Robert Clark, of Waterbury, faces charges of first-degree assault, breach of peace, first-degree threatening, two counts of risk of injury to a child, and interfering with an officer in connection with the reported attack Monday morning, March 10, police said. Officers responded around 9 a.m. to reports of a disturbance at a home on Rose Street in Waterbury. Upon arrival, they found a 25-year-old woman suf…
CT Woman Had Gun, Drugs In Car Along With Minor In Ledyard: Police CT Woman Had Gun, Drugs In Car Along With Minor In Ledyard: Police
CT Woman Had Gun, Drugs In Car Along With Minor In Ledyard: Police A Connecticut woman was arrested last week after police say they found drugs, a handgun, and a juvenile in her car. Amy Brazalovich, 44, of East Hartford, was charged with risk of injury to a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance, Ledyard police said. An officer pulled her vehicle over near Church Hill Road and Spicer Hill on Friday, March 7, just after 9 p.m. Police had received a call of reported drug activity. During a search of the vehicle, officers found an unregistered, loaded 9mm pistol with hollow-point rounds, multiple wax folds containi…
Mom Admits To Using Crack Before Crashing Car With Baby Inside In East Hartford: Police Mom Admits To Using Crack Before Crashing Car With Baby Inside In East Hartford: Police
Mom Admits To Using Crack Before Crashing Car With Baby Inside In East Hartford: Police A routine traffic crash quickly turned into a serious criminal investigation when police say a local woman admitted to using crack cocaine before getting behind the wheel—with a toddler in the car. Elizabeth Burnham, 35, of East Hartford, faces a litany of charges following her arrest on Monday morning, Feb. 24, Connecticut State Police said.  Troopers responded to a two-car crash on the exit 58 off-ramp from I-84 around 10:15 a.m. They found Burnham had rear-ended another vehicle because she “was not able to stop in time,” according to authorities.  No injuries were reported at …
Hartford Man Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend's 9-Year-Old Daughter: State Hartford Man Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend's 9-Year-Old Daughter: State
Hartford Man Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend's 9-Year-Old Daughter: State A Connecticut man was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl, prosecutors announced on Wednesday, Feb. 19.  Noel Martinez, 35, was convicted on two counts of first-degree sexual assault, illegal sexual contact with a victim under 16, and risk of injury to a minor, according to Hartford Judicial District State’s Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott. The case began in February 2022, when the Department of Children and Families alerted Hartford police about a report of sexual abuse. A relative of the victim came forward, alleging that Martinez — who was dating the child’s mother at…
Ex-West Hartford Teacher Nabbed After Tickling Students At Private School: Police Ex-West Hartford Teacher Nabbed After Tickling Students At Private School: Police
Ex-West Hartford Teacher Nabbed After Tickling Students At Private School: Police A former Connecticut private school teacher has been arrested after being accused of inappropriately touching students in West Hartford, authorities said. Nicholas Ricciardi, 46, of Manchester, was arrested earlier this month and charged with risk of injury to a child and second-degree breach of peace, according to West Hartford police. A parent came forward around Thanksgiving to report Ricciardi had tickled their child at Solomon Schechter Day School, police said. School officials placed Ricciardi on leave after the incident. NBC Connecticut reported that he tickled a student's…
Video Shows Willimantic Youth Basketball Coach Ram Victim With Car After Game: Police Video Shows Willimantic Youth Basketball Coach Ram Victim With Car After Game: Police
Video Shows Willimantic Youth Basketball Coach Ram Victim With Car After Game: Police A Connecticut youth basketball coach had children in his vehicle when he rammed someone with his car in a school parking lot following a game over the weekend, authorities said. Surveillance footage, shared by WFSB, shows the victim position themself in front of 29-year-old Bryan Baez-Rivera's vehicle after the game at Horace Porter School in Columbia when the coach from Willimantic 11:20 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, Connecticut State Police said.  Baez-Rivera, who was coaching the opposing girl's team, made no attempt to avoid the person and rams into them with his v…
Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With 3 Kids In Car To Pull Over In Cromwell: Police Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With 3 Kids In Car To Pull Over In Cromwell: Police
Quick-Thinking Driver Forces Drunk CT Woman With 3 Kids In Car To Pull Over In Cromwell: 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…
'Champion For Women's Empowerment:' NJ Mom Theresa Hester Dies At 55 'Champion For Women's Empowerment:' NJ Mom Theresa Hester Dies At 55
'Champion For Women's Empowerment:' NJ Mom Theresa Hester Dies At 55 Support is pouring in for the family of Morris County native Margaret ‘Theresa’ (Nunn) Hester, a devoted public servant and beloved mother who died on Monday, Dec. 11 following a brief battle with cancer at the age of 55. Born in Morristown, Theresa graduated from Dover High School in 1986 before attending Centenary University, her obituary says. Theresa dedicated her career to uplifting women and families in many different capacities. She worked for the NJ state Division on Women since 1998, both with the Department of Community Affairs and the Department of Children and Families. Her wor…
Salem Daycare Under Investigation After Toddler Found Wandering Street Alone: Police Salem Daycare Under Investigation After Toddler Found Wandering Street Alone: Police
Salem Daycare Under Investigation After Toddler Found Wandering Street Alone: Police Police in Essex County said a mail carrier called officers last week when they found a 3-year-old walking alone on a Salem street without shoes. The daycare the boy walked away from is now under investigation.  Salem police were called to the Palmer Street area to reports of a young child walking alone just after 11:15 a.m. on Dec. 8. They found the boy wearing a long-sleeved shirt, sweatpants, and just socks on his feet, officials said. The mail carrier kept him safe until police arrived.  The child was taken to North Shore Medical Center for evaluation.  Employees of …
'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…
Woman, 32, Who Posed As Student At Boston High Schools Faces More Charges: DA Woman, 32, Who Posed As Student At Boston High Schools Faces More Charges: DA
Woman, 32, Who Posed As Student At Boston High Schools Faces More Charges: DA Prosecutors have added more charges against a 32-year-old woman who police say posed as a student at multiple Boston high schools, authorities said.  Shelby Hewitt was already facing seven counts of fraud, the Suffolk County District Attorney said. Prosecutors this week added nine more charges, including:  Three counts of forgery Two counts of common law forgery One count of uttering Larceny over $1,200 ID theft False claims to an employer Hewitt, a former Department of Children and Families social worker, allegedly attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School, Brighton High School, and English…
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…
(Update) Is Aaron Pennington Dead? Divers Searching Lake For Man Accused of Killing Wife (Update) Is Aaron Pennington Dead? Divers Searching Lake For Man Accused of Killing Wife
(Update) Is Aaron Pennington Dead? Divers Searching Lake For Man Accused of Killing Wife Update: Police have called off their search for Aaron Pennington on Friday, Oct. 27. They have not found the man.  Original: It's been five days since anyone has seen Aaron Pennington, the 33-year-old Worcester County man accused of killing his wife and mother of his four children on Sunday, Oct. 22, at their home in Gardner. Her family has created a GoFundMe to help provide for those kids.  Police have focused their attention on Camp Collier, where hunters found Pennington's abandoned BMW earlier this week. On Friday, state police announced they've brought dive teams to search&nb…
Husband Accused Of Shooting Wife, Mom of 4, In Central Mass Eludes Capture For 4th Day: DA Husband Accused Of Shooting Wife, Mom of 4, In Central Mass Eludes Capture For 4th Day: DA
Husband Accused Of Shooting Wife, Mom of 4, In Central Mass Eludes Capture For 4th Day: DA It's been four days since a Worcester County mother of four was found shot to death in her bedroom on Sunday, Oct. 25. It's also been four days since her husband was last seen, but police believe they are closing in on him.  Aaron Pennington, 33, is believed to be somewhere in the 400 acres of wood at Camp Collier in Gardner near the Ashburnham border, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said. The prosecutor filed murder charges against Pennington on Wednesday.  Breanne Pennington was shot in the face on Sunday in her home on Cherry Street in Gardner. Police learn…
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 …
Family Of Mom Allegedly Killed In Front Of Her Kids By Ex In Salem Pleads For Community's Help Family Of Mom Allegedly Killed In Front Of Her Kids By Ex In Salem Pleads For Community's Help
Family Of Mom Allegedly Killed In Front Of Her Kids By Ex In Salem Pleads For Community's Help Jonathan Castillo says his days have fallen into a miserable routine since his sister Nayeli Nieves was brutally murdered in early August in Essex County. He wakes up to help search for the 20-year-old's body near her Essex County home or in other areas where he's heard whispers she could have been dumped. At night, he struggles to sleep.  "She had called me to come see her new place," Jonathan said. "She was so excited for me to see it, but I couldn't. I had to work. I can't stop thinking about that. I should have just stayed out (of work) that day. I should have seen her." Salem poli…
Mom of 2, Girlfriend Of Suspect ID'd As Victim In Salem Murder Case: DA Mom of 2, Girlfriend Of Suspect ID'd As Victim In Salem Murder Case: DA
Mom of 2, Girlfriend Of Suspect ID'd As Victim In Salem Murder Case: DA A 33-year-old Pablo Vicente man is charged with killing the mother of his two children and dumping her body, authorities announced Tuesday, Aug. 8.  Nayeli Nieves, 20, of Salem, was reported missing on Monday from the home where she lived with Vicente and their 3-year-old and 18-month-old children, investigators said. They are being cared for by the Department of Children and Families. Salem police said officers received a tip that Vincente had harmed Nieves and began investigating him.  Related: Salem Man Charged In Missing Woman's Murder While Vincente was arraigned on a murder charg…
UPDATE: Police Refute Claims Of Drugs, Concerning Objects, At South Boston Home UPDATE: Police Refute Claims Of Drugs, Concerning Objects, At South Boston Home
Update: Police Refute Claims Of Drugs, Concerning Objects, At South Boston Home Police have offered a correction for the often-reported idea that a South Boston apartment from which four children were removed was strewn with "concerning objects,", according to officials. First responders were called to 381 Old Colony Road in South Boston for a report of an unconscious person on Saturday, June 17, which led to the removal of four children from the premises, according to a Boston Police Department and the Department of Children and Families.  The unconscious person was described by police as a Black, male-to-female transgender person who is "known to the commonwealth."  …
Have You Seen Her? 16-Year-Old Girl Missing From Springfield Have You Seen Her? 16-Year-Old Girl Missing From Springfield
Have You Seen Her? 16-Year-Old Girl Missing From Springfield Springfield police are asking for the public's help to find a missing 16-year-old who ran away from Department of Children and Families custody on Monday, June 12.  Alexia Felicano has not been seen since she fled the Industry Avenue area Monday night. Police believe she could be in Palmer, Ware, or Springfield.  Police ask anyone with information about Alexia's disappearance or her whereabouts to contact the Youth Aide Bureau at 413-787-6360 or our non-emergency line at 413-787-6300.
Boston Caterer Wins $2.5K In Gordon Ramsay's Contest For Culinary Businesses Boston Caterer Wins $2.5K In Gordon Ramsay's Contest For Culinary Businesses
Boston Caterer Wins $2.5K In Gordon Ramsay's Contest For Culinary Businesses A Southern soul food caterer is planning to use her contest winnings to help fund her dream of a brick-and-mortar restaurant and to give back to her community. Shonda Little, the creator of Roxbury-based catering company Southern Twist, said she screamed when she got the call telling her she won Gordon Ramsay’s “Feed Your Dreams” contest on Saturday, June 3, which granted her a $2.5 thousand prize. Little learned to cook watching her mother and aunts cook while growing up in South Carolina, she told Daily Voice. "Cooking is how you bring people together," Little said. "My business is fe…
Central Mass Foster Mom Under Investigation Over Incident Involving Baby Boy Central Mass Foster Mom Under Investigation Over Incident Involving Baby Boy
Central Mass Foster Mom Under Investigation Over Incident Involving Baby Boy Authorities are investigating an incident at a home in Templeton, where a 6-month-old baby nearly died last week, officials and news sources said.  According to Boston25, the child stopped breathing for 15 minutes after choking on his vomit Friday, May 19.  The foster mother allegedly did not attempt CPR while the child struggled the breath, the report said. The condition of the child is unknown.  The Department of Children and Families and Worcester County District Attorney's Office are not releasing much information about the investigation.  The DCF said th…
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, …
Former Winchester Summer Employee Accused Of Inappropriate Contact With Minor Former Winchester Summer Employee Accused Of Inappropriate Contact With Minor
Former Winchester Summer Employee Accused Of Inappropriate Contact With Minor A former employee who worked at a summer program for children in Winchester has been accused of having inappropriate contact with a minor, town officials report. The temporary employee worked for Winchester's Summer Adventure Program, run by the Recreation Department, in 2021 and 2022, Town Manager Beth Rudolph said in a letter sent out to parents who had children enrolled in the program at the time of the alleged misconduct.  The program is offered to students entering first through sixth grade, according to the department's website. The programs are held at the Lynch Elementary Schoo…
Drunk Driver With Child In Car Crashes Into Dudley Home: Police Drunk Driver With Child In Car Crashes Into Dudley Home: Police
Drunk Driver With Child In Car Crashes Into Dudley Home: Police A 35-year-old Charlton man had a child in his car when he crashed into a Dudley home last week while drunk, authorities said.  Eric Daniels faces several charges stemming from the weekend crash at 115 Pierpoint Road, Dudley police said.  Officers said Daniels crossed the center line of the road before crashing into a utility police guide wire, a fence, and then the house just before 6 p.m. Police did not release any information on the child but said they contacted the Department of Children and Families following the crash to investigate the incident.  Daniel is expected to …
Duo Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors In Norwalk, Police Say Duo Nabbed For Sex Trafficking Of Minors In Norwalk, Police Say
Duo 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…
Haverhill High School Football Coaches, Player Facing Hazing Charges: DA Haverhill High School Football Coaches, Player Facing Hazing Charges: DA
Haverhill High School Football Coaches, Player Facing Hazing Charges: DA The City of Haverhill took a staunch stance on hazing, charging multiple members of a high school football team with criminal charges relating to hazing, according to authorities.  Two coaches and one player from the Haverhill High School football team were charged in connection with a hazing incident on Tuesday, Dec. 20, the Essex County District Attorney's Office reports.  An investigation conducted by the Haverhill Police Department and the DA's Office found that the trio was allegedly part of an incident that targeted three different individuals between Aug.18 and Oct. 12…