- A two-year-old girl was found unresponsive in the home of a veteran police lieutenant, who had been apprehended a month earlier on charges of child rape
- Winthrop Police Lieutenant James Feeley, 56, is currently held on $200,000 bail for aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery
- Feeley, who was a foster parent, is said to have confessed to the crimes at Christmas but has since pled not guilty to all of the charges.
A two-year old girl was found unresponsive at the home of a longtime Massachusetts cop who was arrested last month for allegedly raping a child under the age of 12.
Winthrop Police lieutenant James Feeley, 56, is currently being held on $200,000 bail on charges including aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14, and was therefore not at the home when the toddler was found.
A 911 call was received at 10:20am on Friday morning. When emergency services arrived on the scene, the youngster was rushed to the hospital where the girl died, reports Boston25.
The child was rushed to hospital in the fire chief’s own car as they were first to arrive. Two EMT’s performed CPR on the toddler.
‘They made the decision to transport this child to Massachusetts General Hospital in the back of the fire chief’s vehicle,’ Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty said.
‘The fire department did a heroic job today and made decisive decisions under emergency conditions to get this child the medical treatment necessary as soon as possible,’ said Chief Delehanty.
An initial investigation ‘indicates no signs of foul play or physical trauma. ‘We are awaiting an autopsy to determine cause of death,’ a spokesperson for Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement.
The child’s death comes only one month after Feeley is alleged to have confessed to a series of sex crimes while standing at the foot of his parent’s gravestones, in a local cemetery at Christmas.
The criminal complaint alleges how Feeley, who had served with his force for 21 years and was promoted in 2020, had ‘sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse’ with the victim, though it is not currently known exactly when or where the alleged attacks took place.
The alleged victim was taken to Boston Children’s Hospital in December, and claimed the sexual assaults began one year earlier.
Feeley, who was a foster parent although it is not clear if the victim in the case was a child was being fostered by him.
‘DCF is investigating these disturbing allegations against a foster parent. There are no foster children currently residing in the foster home,’ a DCF spokesperson said last month.
Feeley had served as a sergeant in the department for three years before his promotion the lieutenant. He was a reserve officer for eight years prior.
Feeley was actively involved in teaching young children in the area when it came to police community outreach.
Pictures on social media show him spending time with a local Brownies and Girl Guides group as recently as 2022.
Feeley’s brother called Winthrop Sergeant Sean Delehanty, telling him Feeley ‘was in a really bad way.’
Delehanty then passed the warning on to his brother who was also with the poice, Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty, and asked that he meet the lieutenant at the cemetery, while also travelling there himself.
Upon arrival, the sergeant told him, ‘whatever is happening the answer is not on his hip,’ referring to the gun Feeley had on him.
Feeley allegedly replied: ‘Wait until I tell you what I’ve done.’
The chief later arrived, and Feeley reportedly confessed to both police officer brothers.
Believing he was suicidal, the chief took Feeley’s gun away from him and had him taken to Massachusetts General Hospital to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Defense Attorney Nitin Dalal told the judge at a court hearing that Feeley had a place to stay in another community with one of his brothers and that Feeley had owned up bringing what happened to light.
‘He is feeling guilt, remorse, embarrassment, humiliation,’ Dalal said, adding that Feeley is in need of mental health treatment.
Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said: ‘This victim and the victim’s family will receive all the help and support they need as this case moves forward.’
The Massachusetts’ Department of Children and Families said they are ‘investigating these disturbing allegations.’
Feeley has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Hs next hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Chief Terence Delehanty said in a statement: ‘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.’
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
