Police Report School Employee Fell Asleep while Intoxicated at Work; Arrested for Risking Injury to Child

Westport Police Department Release

Westport Police Department contributed photo

On November 23, 2021, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Westport Police detectives responded to Greens Farms Elementary School on a report that a staff member was possibly impaired.  Upon arrival, detectives learned that Speech and Language Pathologist Michelle Babin allegedly fell asleep while providing educational instruction to a student.  The investigation further revealed that it purportedly took staff at least thirty seconds to wake Ms. Babin and when she finally did wake up, she was reportedly mumbling incoherently.  Additionally, she purportedly had the odor of alcohol on her breath.  Ms. Babin was ultimately transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.  

The detectives conducted an extensive investigation and concluded that the student in question was not being appropriately supervised while in Ms. Babin’s care because she was reportedly both asleep as well as possibly intoxicated when she was supposed to be instructing him.  This put the child at great risk of being injured.  A warrant for Ms. Babin’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of December 30, 2021, Ms. Babin turned herself in at the Westport Police Department.  Per the warrant, she was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child.  Ms. Babin was released after posting a $75,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on  January 5, 2022. 

Sirens: Car vs. Tractor Trailer Crash Reported on I-95 Southbound between Exits 18 and 17

First responders were dispatched just before 12:45 this afternoon for the motor vehicle accident on I-95 in the southbound lanes, between exits 18 and 17, with both a car and tractor trailer involved. No other information has been released. Avoid I-95 southbound at Exit 18; access the interstate from exit 17 for points south of Westport.

Man Arrested for Smacking Child; Charged with Risk of Injury to a Minor, Out on $50,000 Bond

Westport Police Department Release

On September 1, 2021, Westport Police detectives began to investigate the possible abuse and/or neglect of a minor.  It was alleged that in early April of 2021, an individual identified as Anjelu Sajetta hit a child across the face with an open hand.  Based on the investigation, a warrant for Mr. Sajetta’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of December 23, 2021, Mr. Sajetta was taken into custody by members of the Stratford Police Department and turned over to Westport officers.  Per the warrant, he was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child.  Mr. Sajetta was released after posting a $50,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on December 27, 2021.

Police: Four Westport Daycare Workers Arrested after Abuse and Neglect Allegations, then Failing to Report it

Contributed photos by Westport Police Department

Westport Police Department arrested four local daycare workers after one staff member reportedly “moved the kids about in an aggressive manner, kicked a ball at some of the babies, and left the children crying for extended periods of time“ according to Police. The other three staff members - all State mandated reporters - were arrested for failure to report the abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Family Services. No other information has been released.

Westport Police Department:

Suzette Virgo: Risk of Injury to a Child

On June 15, 2021, the Westport Police Detective Bureau began to investigate the possible abuse and/or neglect of infants at a local daycare center.  It was alleged that a teacher in one of the infant classrooms moved the kids about in an aggressive manner, kicked a ball at some of the babies, and left the children crying for extended periods of time.  The teacher in question was identified as Suzette Virgo.  An extensive investigation was conducted and evidence supporting the allegations was purportedly obtained.  A warrant for Ms. Virgo’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of December 17, 2021, Ms. Virgo turned herself in at the Westport Police Department.  Per the warrant, she was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child.  Ms. Virgo was released after posting a $50,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on January 5, 2022.

Ayshia Jaeger, Ridhita Gupta, & Kelleigh Cantiello: Failure to Report Neglect or Abuse by a Mandated Reporter

On June 15, 2021, the Westport Police Detective Bureau began to investigate the possible abuse and/or neglect of infants at a local daycare center.  The subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of one of the teachers on a charge of Risk of Injury to a Child.  During the investigation, evidence was purportedly obtained which led the detectives to believe that daycare center staff members Ayshia Jaeger, Ridhita Gupta, and Kelleigh Cantiello were allegedly made aware of the possible abuse/neglect but failed to make a report to the Department of Children and Family Services as is required by law since all three are mandated reporters.  Warrants for their arrests were completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

All three women turned themselves in at the Westport Police Department shortly after learning of the arrest warrants.  Per the warrants, each individual was charged  Failure to Report Abuse or Neglect by a Mandated Reporter and was released after posting a $25,000.00 bond.  Ms. Jaeger is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on January 5, 2022.  Ms. Gupta is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on December 30, 2021.  Ms. Cantiello is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on January 4, 2022.