Toddler dies at the home of a former police lieutenant who is in jail for child rape: Report

A two-year-old in Massachusetts has died after a medical emergency took place in the home of a disgraced police lieutenant and foster father. The former police officer is currently in jail facing child rape charges, according to the New York Post.

The young girl's mother called the police on Friday after discovering the child was unresponsive in Winthrop — about 20 minutes from Boston. There was no ambulance immediately available to field the call, so Fire Chief Scott Wiley put the toddler in the back of his SUV and rushed her to the Massachusetts General Hospital.

EMTs provided the toddler aid, according to a second report.

Kathy Curran, an investigative journalist, took to X to provide details on the situation, writing: "A 2 year old child has died in Winthrop. Sources tell us the child was in medical distress & an ambulance was unavailable to respond. The incident unfolded at the home of a @Winthroppolice lieutenant who is in jail & charged with child rape in a separate case. @NBC10Boston."

However, the young girl eventually passed away in the hospital. The initial investigation into the incident does not appear to indicate any foul play or physical trauma, according to a statement from Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden's office.

The toddler was found in former Winthrop Police Lieutenant James Feeley's home. Feeley was arrested in December, facing charges of child rape. The toddler's identity has not been revealed, and the authorities have not made a statement regarding the relationship between the toddler and Feeley.

Feeley was previously a foster parent with the Department of Children and Families. Still, he was recently charged with indecent assault, battery of a child younger than 12 years old, and rape. Though he confessed to the charges, he pleaded not guilty when he appeared for arraignment on December 27, per reports.

Winthrop Police Chief Terence M. Delehanty said "[a]ny event like this is extremely tragic for the family, as well as for the first responders."

"The fire department has done a heroic job today and made decisive decisions under emergency conditions to get this child the medical treatment necessary as soon as possible, and we thank them for their service,” Delehanty added.

Feeley was previously put on administrative leave after the charges were revealed, but Delehanty said he is no longer employed by the department.

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