How Could You? Hall of Shame-Kristoff Zenopolous case-Child Death

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Adams, Massachusetts, foster parents Matthew Tucker, 37, and Cassandra Barlow-Tucker, 37, “arraigned Thursday [April 8, 2021] on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment stemming from the death of their infant foster child last year, according to Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington’s office.

The defendants, Matthew Tucker, 37, and Cassandra Barlow-Tucker, 37, entered not guilty pleas in Berkshire Superior Court and were both released on personal recognizance with conditions that they “follow requirements set by the Department of Children and Families,” the state’s child welfare agency that oversees foster care in Massachusetts, Harrington’s office said.

Lawyers for Tucker and Barlow-Tucker didn’t immediately return emails seeking comment Thursday.

The case centers around the death of 10-month-old Kristoff Zenopolous, the couple’s foster son who was found deceased in his crib on the morning of Feb. 18, 2020, Harrington’s office said in a statement.

Adams Ambulance Services pronounced Kristoff dead at the scene, the statement said, and investigators later determined he’d been visibly sick for two weeks before his death. The medical examiner ruled the child died from “strep A, pneumonia, and the resulting build-up of pus in his lungs,” the statement said.

Prosecutors said antibiotics routinely treat such illnesses, and that the couple’s alleged failure to obtain medical care for Kristoff caused him to develop an infection and the buildup of fluid, as well as a collapsed lung.

“I send my deepest condolences to Kristoff’s family who is devastated by this loss,” Harrington said in the statement. “His death was preventable and I thank the grand jury for their careful deliberation and returning these indictments so that my office may obtain justice for Kristoff.”

Harrington also thanked investigators for their work on what she said was a “heartbreaking” case.

“We should never see another child in Massachusetts die because a caregiver failed to provide basic medical care,” Harrington said.

The couple’s due back in court Oct. 5 for a pre-trial hearing, according to Harrington’s office.”

Adams couple charged in death of infant foster child
[Boston Globe 4/8/21 by Travis Anderson]
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Update: Cassandra and Matthew must be tried in the death of Kristoff Zenopolous, the SJC ruled.