A FOSTER father’s guilty plea to sexually assaulting a young girl for over a decade, impregnating her at 12, has exposed a chilling house of horrors.
The victim, now an adult, endured years of abuse while the foster dad’s wife allegedly did nothing to stop it.
Foster father Roger Barriault pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting and impregnating a 12-year-old girl in his care[/caption]
Crystal reported the abuse in 2023, leading to the Barriaults’ arrest and a slew of charges[/caption]
Crystal, now an adult, endured years of abuse while the foster dad’s wife allegedly did nothing to stop it[/caption]
In Bristol, Connecticut, Roger Barriault was admitted to first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.
His wife, Darlene Barriault, faces charges of negligence and emotional distress for allegedly ignoring the abuse.
The victim, identified as Crystal, was 10 when she entered the Barriaults’ care in 2005 after her previous foster mom moved.
Court documents reveal that Roger had already assaulted Crystal before she was placed with the couple, Daily Mail reported.
The Department of Child and Family Services didn’t know Crystal was living with the Barriaults until a year later.
DCF learned of Roger’s investigation for assaulting another girl, but allowed Crystal to stay in a relative’s home.
Last year, DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly released a statement saying “Understandably, the Department has received many inquiries about the events in question that occurred over 15 years ago.”
“However, we are limited in what we can share due to our confidentiality statutes and the pending criminal and civil litigation.”
“However, statutes do allow us to correct misinformation made public about the Department’s role in how the victim arrived in the home of the person who harmed her. To that end, it has been reported that DCF “lost track” of the victim and a prior legal guardian in 2005,” Jodi Hill-Lilly added.
Crystal was sent to Amy Seeber, Darlene’s sister, while Roger’s case was investigated, per a civil complaint.
Roger still had access to Crystal during this time and continued the abuse, the complaint states.
In 2008, Crystal, then 12, was approved to live with the Barriaults despite her pregnancy.
She gave birth to Roger’s child at 13, yet remained in their home for eight more years.
Crystal told CT Insider the abuse happened “every single day” in various locations, including a motor home.
Statement by DCF
“First and foremost, our hearts go out to the victim, and we applaud her bravery for coming forward. As always, we are grateful for the collaboration of law enforcement and for their work to help hold this individual accountable and bring forth justice. Understandably, the Department has received many inquiries about the events in question that occurred over 15 years ago. However, we are limited in what we can share due to our confidentiality statutes and the pending criminal and civil litigation. However, statutes do allow us to correct misinformation made public about the Department’s role in how the victim arrived in the home of the person who harmed her. To that end, it has been reported that DCF “lost track” of the victim and a prior legal guardian in 2005. To clarify, the Department had no involvement with the child or any of the involved families between 2003-2006. Also, Mr. Barriault and his wife were never licensed foster parents for the Department and the now adult victim was not placed into the home of Roger Barriault by the Department. The family received guardianship of the victim via the Probate Court as a child.”
DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly
“I cried the first two times I was raped, but after that I just laid there,” Crystal told police.
Her morning routine included making Roger coffee and toast before enduring assaults, she said.
Crystal reported the abuse in 2023, leading to the Barriaults’ arrest and a slew of charges.
Roger’s nephew corroborated the abuse, describing how Roger groomed Crystal daily.
The nephew found Roger’s behavior “gross” and believed abuse was evident, per police statements.
Crystal’s civil lawsuit against DCF claims the agency failed to protect her from the abusive home.
A report by the Office of the Child Advocate noted “missed opportunities” to remove Crystal.
Crystal’s attorney, Nate Baber, called it the “worst case of sexual abuse” he’s seen, per ABC local affiliate WTNH.
“How does a 12-year-old girl become pregnant, and no one does anything about it?” Baber asked.
Text messages from Roger to Crystal, including one saying, “I love you baby girl,” were reported to Probate Court.
DCF didn’t alert police about the messages, which hinted at Roger’s paternity, per the advocate’s report.
The Barriaults claimed up to nine children and received $400,000 in federal aid, the report noted.
Crystal paid over $23,000 in child support while living in the abusive environment.
She later won custody of her daughter, now 12, who she says is her reason for living.
“If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here,” Crystal told CT Insider about her daughter.
Crystal has filed a $30 million lawsuit against DCF.
The Barriaults are due in court on October 17 and October 30 for jury selection in the civil suit.
Roger’s wife, Darlene Barriault, faces charges of negligence and emotional distress for allegedly ignoring the abuse[/caption]
