How Could You? Hall of Shame-2 year old Child case-Child Death UPDATED

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 Winthrop, Massachusetts,foster parent Lt. James Feeley “56, of Winthrop, was arraigned in East Boston Court on one count of aggravated child rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child younger than 14.

According to court documents, Feeley confessed to the rape and indecent assaults to Winthrop Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty and others on Monday while he was at a cemetery near the graves of his parents, threatening to harm himself.

Feeley was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for an evaluation, and he surrendered his service weapon, according to court documents.

The victim said the incidents started a year ago and are believed to have happened in Winthrop, according to court documents.

“James Feeley has been placed on administrative leave from the Winthrop Police Department pending the outcome of a criminal investigation headed by State Police Detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office,” Delehanty said in a statement.

The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families confirmed that Feeley was a foster parent for the agency.”

Winthrop, Massachusetts, police lieutenant charged with aggravated child rape

[WCVB 12/27/23 by Brittany Johnson]

 

REFORM Puzzle Piece

“A 2-year-old child found unresponsive Friday in the Winthrop home of a former Massachusetts police lieutenant who is facing charges of child rape and indecent assault has died.

5 Investigates has learned that State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s office and Winthrop police have responded to the scene, a spokesperson for Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden confirmed.

“The initial investigation into the death of a two-year-old in Winthrop today indicates no signs of foul play or physical trauma,” a spokesperson for the DA’s office said. “We are awaiting an autopsy to determine cause of death.”

Winthrop Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty said the child was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital in the back of the fire chief’s vehicle.

“Any event like this is extremely tragic for the family, as well as for the first responders,” Delehanty said.

Citing privacy issues, Delehanty said he could not provide information about the toddler’s identity. His remarks focused on praising the first responders who tried to save the child’s life.

“Toll taker on your emotions and your psyche. Certainly, these incidents dealing with children, doctors and nurses stay with us for the rest of our careers,” Delehanty said.

James Feeley, 56, of Winthrop, was arraigned last month on one count of aggravated child rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child younger than 14. Feeley remains in jail.

According to court documents previously released, Feeley, who was also a foster parent, confessed to the rape and indecent assaults to Delehanty and others while he was at a cemetery near the graves of his parents, threatening to harm himself.

Feeley was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital for an evaluation, and he surrendered his service weapon, according to court documents.

The victim said the incidents started a year ago and are believed to have happened in Winthrop, according to court documents.

The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families confirmed that Feeley was a foster parent for the agency.

“The Department of Children and Families is investigating these disturbing allegations against a foster parent,” a written statement said. “There are no foster children currently residing in the foster home.”

The DCF would not say when or if children were removed, citing state and federal privacy requirements.

According to the court documents, Feeley, surrounded by multiple family members, confessed to the crime on Christmas night, while holding a handgun and standing in a cemetery near his parent’s gravesite.

When Feeley was asked by Winthrop police chief Terrance Delehanty why he was in the cemetery, he answered, “What do you think?”

Feeley’s defense attorney said he has no criminal record and has worked for the department for 20 years with an unblemished record.

Feeley was ordered held on $200,000 bail. He was ordered to stay away from the victim, have no contact with anyone younger than 16 and to wear a GPS device. He was scheduled to return to court next week.”

Toddler dies after being removed from home of former Winthrop PD lieutenant, a child rape suspect
[WCVB 1/26/24 by Kevin Rothsteib]