DCF missed chances to protect 12-year-old impregnated by guardian: Report
The archive video above aired on Nov. 13, 2024.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The agencies meant to protect a Bristol woman when her guardian impregnated her at 12 years old dropped the ball multiple times, the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) determined in a report released Wednesday.
In November, that woman, 29-year-old Crystal B., sat down for an exclusive interview with News 8 while pursuing a multi-million dollar claim against the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF).
News 8 Exclusive: Bristol woman pursuing legal action and claim against Connecticut Department of Children and Families
She shared her story of more than a decade of sexual abuse and claimed that DCF did nothing to intervene, despite one of its own employees reporting concerns.
In their new report, the OCA agrees that the DCF and guardianship proceedings in Probate Court missed multiple opportunities to protect Crystal.
'Despite numerous reports, (Crystal's) pregnancy, (Roger Barriault's) refusal to take paternity tests, and, later, receipt of text messages alluding to Mr. Barriault's paternity, DCF did not contact the police to alert them to the allegations of sexual abuse,' the report states in a summary of its findings.
DCF responded to OCA's report but denied comment on the Barriault case due, in part, to related criminal proceedings.
However, they defended agency protocols, which they said have been 'enhanced significantly' since Crystal's experience and are quality-controlled with supervision and ongoing communication with the Probate Court Administrator.
The agency's full statement can be found on the report's final pages below.
OCA-Report-Probate-Court-2025-03-04Download
Roger Barriault, the man Crystal called dad, was charged with first-degree sexual assault. His wife, Darlene Barriault, was also charged with risk of injury to a minor. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their cases are still pending.
Roger Barriault was accused of raping Crystal 'approximately 3,800 to 4,000 times,' according to the police report, starting when she was 9.
When Crystal became pregnant at 12, she said Barriault threatened to take her child away from her and send her to jail. In 2023, a DNA lab test confirmed Barriault to be the father of Crystal's daughter.
OCA's report found missteps started the year before Crystal's former guardians filed a petition in Probate Court to make the Barriaults her temporary guardians.
In 2005, a 13-year-old girl and child of a family friend made allegations of sexually inappropriate touching by Roger Barriault, which launched a criminal investigation with police. DCF was notified of the allegations and opened an investigation regarding the children in the Barriault home at the time. Roger Barriault was also added to DCF's Central Registry.
But the girl later recanted her accusations, saying she wanted to 'fix it' and go home to her family, whom she had been separated from due to her claims. In 2007, the charges against Barriault were nullified, and he was later taken off the central registry.
Meanwhile, the Barriaults were in proceedings to gain custody of Crystal. At times, a family member to Darlene Barriault was her official guardian.
In 2008, DCF endorsed and approved the couple's guardianship application of Crystal. At the time, Crystal said she was six months pregnant and told her therapist that Roger Barriault had sexually assaulted her.
However, when interviewed by others, OCA's report says 12-year-old Crystal denied the allegations, and the case was dropped.
In the years following, OCA said DCF investigated the Barriaults on multiple occasions in response to allegations of abuse or neglect of the children in their care.
During one assessment, DCF noted suspicions that Roger Barriault was the father of Crystal's child, and an investigation was started, but everyone in the household denied the allegation, and Barriault refused a request to take a paternity test. OCA said DCF did not tell police of the allegations.
No action was taken in 2015 either, when texts were shared in a DCF Probate study that showed messages from Roger Barriault that alluded to his paternity.
It wasn't until May 2023 that Crystal gave a statement to police alleging Barriault's abuse, which led to a criminal investigation and another DCF investigation launch.
The allegations were substantiated that summer, and Barriault was again placed on the DCF Central Registry. At that time, the children in the Barriaults' care remained with Darlene while Roger moved out, and OCA's report says the DCF case was closed.
In early 2024, Roger and Darlene were both arrested on multiple charges after a paternity test confirmed the allegations.
Last year, DCF told News 8 their department had no involvement with Crystal's placement in the Barriaults' home because the family received guardianship through Probate Court. They also said they had no involvement with the family or Crystal from 2003 to 2006.
But DCF records obtained by News 8 in November show a report was received by the agency in 2006 alleging 'a child in the home was being sexually abused by Roger Barriault.' Another record showed a similar report from a caller identified as a 'DCF worker.'
Crystal's $30 million claim against DCF is currently pending with the Claims Commissioner's office.
Both Barriaults are due back in New Britain court in April. Their appearances are listed as 'pre-trial.' News 8 reached out to Roger Barriault's attorney for comment on the report and have not heard back.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong deferred to the DCF when asked for comment.
The OCA is an independent government agency that reviews complaints concerning the actions of any state or municipal agency that provides services to children through funds provided by the state.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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