A special meeting was held in Bethany to discuss the next steps after the arrest for sexual assault

BETHANY, CT (WFSB) – After a former City of Bethany employee was accused of sexually abusing multiple children, the city held a special meeting Tuesday night where officials discussed how they were informed of the allegations and how they plan to keep the children safe.

The meeting was marked by many emotions and controversies.

The meeting was supposed to be about who knew about the five allegations of sexual assault made by 25-year-old Anthony Mastrangelo and what the Parks and Recreation Department is doing to prevent such incidents in the future.

However, the director of the department did not attend the meeting.

This caused great confusion and frustration among the hundreds who showed up.

Paula Cofrancesco, a first-term councillor, said that Director Janice Howard decided not to appear because she had obtained legal representation for herself.

People came expecting a presentation of measures to protect and supervise children.

Instead, those present expressed their frustration at Cofrancesco’s inability to comment specifically on the ongoing state police investigation.

However, the city has approved $75,000 in funding to pay a private legal counsel to investigate how city leaders are handling the situation.

In addition, those present, including parents of alleged victims, stated that they had not received any answers.

“It was a very long meeting and I feel like we still don’t have answers. Our first city councilor didn’t answer a lot of questions. Ultimately, she is the ultimate authority and it comes back to her,” said Amy Lestinsky, the mother of one of the alleged victims.

“This is one of the reasons why I asked the Indecency Council to review our policies and procedures and what has happened over the last year and a half,” Cofrancesco said.

She said the department has implemented rules that require less direct interaction with caregivers, such as no lap sitting or piggybacking.

This Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. there will be another meeting at City Hall to discuss possible disciplinary action against Howard.

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