Crime & Safety

Another DCF Scandal: Rape at Youth Home Went Unreported, Police Say

The state Department of Children and Families is at the center of another controversy after authorities said a boy was raped in Walpole.

The state Department of Children and Families, which has been under fire for a recent string of infant deaths, is at the center of another controversy.

WCVB-TV reported Walpole police said staff at The Home for Little Wanders didn't immediately report an alleged rape to them. The organization runs the Longview Educational Center, a youth home in Walpole for children in DCF custody.

Authorities said a 13-year-old boy enrolled at the center raped a 9-year-old boy.

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Walpole police said they learned of the incident 12 hours after it happened, making it "impossible" to collect evidence.

Michael Pearis, executive vice president of The Home for Little Wanderers, disputed the account provided by police.

Find out what's happening in Walpolewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We are unable to provide further information at this time and ... felt it would be irresponsible for the media to refer to this incident as an alleged sexual assault or rape," Pearis said in a statement, according to WCVB-TV.

Last month, DCF Commissioner Olga Roche resigned after a pair of infant deaths. Authorities said DCF's lack of communication with police may have contributed to at least one of the deaths.


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