BETHANY, Conn — Bethany parents expressed concerns in a Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday night, after learning a former school district and town employee was arrested for allegations of sexual assault involving several young girls.
“I am so disgusted and upset that people knew, and did nothing,” said Amy Lestinsky, a school board member speaking in her role as a Bethany parent.
“I am so angry and upset (about) how you have let down this community,” said Amy Rushlow, speaking with tears in her eyes during the public comment section of the meeting.
The comments follow the June 25 arrest of a former school and town employee, 25-year-old Anthony Mastrangelo. He’s accused of sexually assaulting at least four young girls during his time at the Parks and Rec Department, and a fifth victim afterward. He was also a volunteer, substitute teacher, and intern at Bethany Public Schools.
When the allegations came out in December of 2022, he was removed from having any contact with children. But parents said they were never informed.
“The suspect violated my child in my home. In the privacy of my home,” Lestinsky said.
Lestinsky said since her kids knew Mastrangelo from camp, she hired him as a babysitter. At the time, she didn’t know he was the subject of an 18-month sexual assault investigation. She said her child was assaulted more than a year after the allegations first came about.
“My child and many others could have been spared this horrific experience,” Lestinsky said.
The first selectman, Paula Cofrancesco, said she doesn’t blame parents for their frustrations. However, she claims she was told by police not to say anything during the investigation.
“We were told that we could not address the issue while the police investigation remained open and were told investigative authorities would follow up with us,” Cofrancesco said. “That investigation lasted an alarmingly long time, and I was never contacted by anyone from day one.”
During the meeting, the parents demanded answers from the superintendent and first selectman, with some calling for them to resign.
“The people that knew, all of them, should be removed from their positions, as they failed our children and they failed our community,” Lestinsky said.
Mastrangelo was processed at Troop-I Bethany on three separate warrants. Under the first warrant, he is charged with risk of injury to a minor and fourth-degree sexual assault; his bail was set at $50,000. As part of the second warrant, Mastrangelo is charged with risk of injury to a minor and fourth-degree sexual assault; his bail was set at $50,000.
Under the third warrant, Mastrangelo was charged with first-degree sexual assault, risk of injury to a minor and fourth-degree sexual assault. He was held on a $250,000 bond for this warrant.
Mastrangelo was released on bond and is expected in a New Haven courtroom on July 12.
Parents have also signed a petition to ask for a special meeting to discuss the matter further with town leaders.
In response to the meeting and recent arrest, the Bethany Public School Superintendent, Kai Byrd, sent the following statement to FOX61:
“Recently a resident of Bethany, who previously worked as a volunteer, an occasional substitute teacher, and an intern at BCS has been arrested. As this is a criminal matter handled by law enforcement and not the school district, we are not privy to all the details of the investigation or the criminal case. However, I can advise you that following notice of a possible DCF report related to this individual, this individual was immediately placed on leave from BCS and has not worked or volunteered at the school since December 2022 and will not be returning in any capacity. We have not received any complaints from parents alleging any concerns about this individual’s conduct at BCS. If complaints are received about any individual working or volunteering with students, we would investigate the concern and work collaboratively with the family to address the concern and to provide support to the student(s). Please know that the safety of our students is the district’s foremost concern, and there are many policies and procedures in place to ensure the well-being of all our students.” – Kai Byrd, Superintendent
FOX61 reached out to The Connecticut State Police. A spokesperson responded with the following statement:
“We have received multiple inquiries regarding the active and ongoing investigations regarding the accused, Anthony Mastrangelo. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide further details at this time. Considering the nature of these investigations, we ask for the public's patience and assistance as we move forward. Once further information becomes available, we will post it to CSP News. Our priority at this time is to protect the identities of all reported victims while offering them the time needed to process and cope. Anyone with information about the cases known to date, or any other incidents, are asked to contact Troop I in Bethany,” –Spokesperson, Connecticut State Police.
RELATED: Farmington man found guilty of multiple counts of risk of injury to a minor, sexual assault
The full statement from the first selectwoman can be read below:
“This Town has definitely been shaken by the recent arrest of a former employee who worked in the Parks and Recreation Department. This is something that we never would have expected, and it is heartbreaking for everyone.
Many are frustrated, concerned and angry about the lack of communication from the Town and the Parks and Recreation Department, and I don’t blame you. Following the lead of the Superintendent back in December 2022 from a phone call she had with the Department of Children and Family Services about an undisclosed report, the individual was immediately removed from having any contact with children.
At that time, Janice Howard, our P&R Director, then came to me, and we inquired of Dave Merriam, the Town’s Adm. Lte., as to what would be the next steps. We were told that we could not address the issue while the police investigation remained open and were told that investigating authorities would follow up with us.
That investigation lasted an alarmingly long time, and I was never contacted by anyone from day one. The actual details of the report just came to our attention at the same time it was released to the public.
I am as upset as you are about this, and it will never be tolerated as your first selectwoman. I can appreciate and understand this frustration, as I have not been informed of any ongoing matters this whole time. I question and am even more disgusted with the State’s process in not informing me so that I could inform you. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Connecticut State Police.
Please be aware that we are looking into the installation of surveillance cameras in the annex and in the Town Hall where children may play.
Please know that the Superintendent and I are working together to coordinate counseling services and resources for children and families in need. We will make that information available as soon as all are confirmed.
I am saddened that the media has come to sensationalize on the pain of our Town. Again, this situation is heartbreaking for everyone. We are neither judge nor jury, and it will be up to the court system to determine this individual’s future. I pray for all involved, and hope that we can heal, knowing that it will take time.” — Paula Cofrancesco
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Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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