Former Bethany City employee charged with sexual assault

BETHANY, Connecticut — Bethany parents expressed concern at a Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday night after learning that a former school district and town employee was arrested on allegations of sexually assaulting several young girls.

“I am so disgusted and upset that people knew about this and did nothing,” said school board member Amy Lestinsky, in her capacity as Bethany’s mother.

“I am so angry and upset at how you have failed this community,” Amy Rushlow said with tears in her eyes during the meeting’s public comment period.

The comments follow the June 25 arrest of a former school and city employee, 25-year-old Anthony Mastrangelo. He is accused of sexually abusing at least four young girls, and later a fifth victim, during his time with the Parks and Recreation Department. He was also a volunteer, substitute teacher and intern at Bethany Public Schools.

When the allegations came to light in December 2022, he was banned from having any contact with his children, but the parents said they were never informed.

“The suspect abused my child in my home. In the privacy of my home,” Lestinsky said.

Lestinsky said because her children knew Mastrangelo from camp, she hired him as a babysitter. At the time, she did not know that he was the subject of an 18-month-long sexual assault investigation. She said her child was abused more than a year after the allegations first arose.

“My child and many others could have been spared this horrific experience,” Lestinsky said.

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First Selectman Paula Cofrancesco said she does not blame the parents for their frustration, but she claimed police told her not to say anything while the investigation was underway.

“We were told that we could not deal with the issue while the police investigation was ongoing and that the investigating authorities would contact us,” said Cofrancesco. “This investigation took an alarmingly long time and I was not contacted by anyone from day one.”

During the meeting, parents demanded answers from the superintendent and the first selectman, some even calling for their resignations.

“All those who knew about this should be removed from office because they have failed our children and our community,” Lestinsky said.

Mastrangelo was being investigated by Troop-I Bethany on three separate warrants. The first warrant charges him with endangering a minor and fourth-degree sexual assault; his bail was set at $50,000. The second warrant charges Mastrangelo with endangering a minor and fourth-degree sexual assault; his bail was set at $50,000.

The third warrant charged Mastrangelo with first-degree sexual abuse, endangerment of a minor and fourth-degree sexual abuse. He was held on $250,000 bail.

Mastrangelo was released on bail and is expected in a New Haven courtroom on July 12.

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In addition, parents have signed a petition calling for a special meeting to further discuss the matter with city leaders.

In response to the meeting and the recent arrest, Bethany Public School Superintendent Kai Byrd sent the following statement to FOX61:

“Recently, a Bethany resident was arrested who had previously worked at BCS as a volunteer, occasional substitute teacher, and intern. Because 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 criminal proceedings. However, I can tell you that upon learning of a possible DCF report regarding 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 return in any capacity. We have not received any complaints from parents raising concerns about this individual’s conduct at BCS. If complaints are received about an individual working or volunteering with students, we would investigate the concerns and work with the family to address the concerns and provide support to the student. Please know that the safety of our students is the district’s top priority and there are many policies and procedures in place to ensure the well-being of all of 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 ongoing and ongoing investigation into defendant Anthony Mastrangelo. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any further details at this time. Given the nature of this investigation, we ask for the public’s patience and support as we move forward. As more information becomes available, we will post it on CSP News. Our priority at this time is to protect the identities of all reported victims while allowing them the time necessary to process and move on from the incidents. Anyone with information regarding the cases known to date or any other incidents is asked to contact Troop I in Bethany,” – Connecticut State Police spokesperson.

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You can read the First Selectwoman’s full statement below:

“This city is definitely rocked by the recent arrest of a former Parks and Recreation Department employee. This is something we never expected and it is heartbreaking for everyone.

Many are frustrated, concerned and upset with the lack of communication from the City and the Parks and Recreation Department, and I don’t blame you. At the Superintendent’s direction in December 2022, which she made in a phone call with the Department of Children and Family Services regarding an undisclosed report, the individual was immediately removed from all contact with children.

At this point, Janice Howard, our P&R Director, came to see me and we asked Dave Merriam, the City Administrator Lte., what the next steps would be. We were told that we could not address the issue while the police investigation was ongoing and that the investigating authorities would contact us.

This investigation took an alarmingly long time and I was not contacted by anyone from day one. We only learned the actual details of the report when it was released to the public.

I am just as upset about this as you are, and as your first Selectwoman, I will never tolerate it. I can relate to and understand your frustration, as I have not been informed of ongoing matters this entire time. I question the state’s actions and am even more disgusted that they did not inform me so I could inform you. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Connecticut State Police.

Please note that we are considering installing surveillance cameras in the annex and in the town hall, where children may play.

Please note that the Superintendent and I are working together to coordinate counseling services and resources for children and families in need. We will provide this information once all are confirmed.

I am saddened that the media is exaggerating the pain of our city. Again, this situation is heartbreaking for everyone. We are not judge or jury and it will be up to the court to decide this person’s future. I pray for everyone involved and hope that we can heal, even though we know it will take time.” – Paula Cofrancesco

Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Facebook, X And Instagram.

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