Fire Department: Downtown Garage Fire Causes “Extensive Damage”
Westport Fire Department Press Release:On Monday, June 6, 2022 at approximately 7 pm, Westport Fire Dispatch received a report of a structure fire at 9 Evergreen Ave. The caller reported seeing flames from a building. Upon the arrival of the first engine, they reported a heavily involved detached garage fire. Engine 2 deployed a hose line with the assistance of other firefighters from responding units. The fire was contained to the garage and did not extend to the house. There were several small explosions in the garage that were attributed to normal garage contents and vehicle tires. Firefighters extinguished the fire and checked to make sure there was no remaining hidden fire. The garage sustained extensive damage as did the contents of the garage, including the vehicle parked inside. The scene was turned over to the Fire Marshal’s Office for investigation and all fire units were cleared. There were no reports of civilian or firefighter injuries at the time of this release.
Firefighters Respond to Evergreen Avenue Fire; No Injuries Reported
First responders were dispatched to a home on Evergreen Avenue just before 7:00 this evening for a reported structure fire, with smoke visible from several spots in the Downtown Westport area. Westport firefighters arrived quickly to the scene with support from Wilton Fire Department, Westport Police Department, and Westport Emergency Medical Service following behind. All responders were cleared from the home a short time later with no reported injuries. No information has been released. WestportLocal.com photo.
UPDATE: Police Ask for Public’s Help in Locating Missing 22 Year Old after Saugatuck River Search
Westport Police Department: On January 13, 2022, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the Westport Police Department began a missing person investigation. It was reported that around 4:30 p.m. a twenty-two-year-old female launched a canoe into the Saugatuck River. A short time later a witness saw the female in the canoe in the area of the Ruth Steinkraus Bridge in the center of town. The witness briefly lost sight of the canoe and when he saw it again it was empty. At the time the female was seen in the canoe the water level was relatively low, so it is possible that she got out of the canoe and walked to shore.
Currently, the Westport Police and Fire Dive Team is searching the waters where the person was last seen. A thorough search on land is also being conducted.
The missing person is identified as twenty-two-year-old Sera Levy. Ms. Levy is Caucasian, approx. 5’6”, weighs roughly 130 lbs., and has chin length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a yellow coat and blue pants.
The police are asking any resident that lives along the Saugatuck River to please check your home surveillance for any footage that may be helpful. If anyone has information regarding Ms. Levy’s whereabouts, please contact the Westport Police Department immediately at 203-341-6000.
10:30 PM UPDATE
As of 10:30 PM on January 13, 2022: Westport PD has developed information that the missing person exited the river and made her way to a local business where she was captured on surveillance. Although WPD has not located the missing person at this time, the search for her in our local waters has been suspended. We ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ms. Levy to please contact the Westport Police Department.
1:13 AM
The missing woman has been found and is safe
"The missing person is identified as twenty-two-year-old Sera Levy. Ms. Levy is Caucasian, approx. 5’6”, weighs roughly 130 lbs., and has chin length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a yellow coat and blue pants." Contributed photoSirens: First Responders Search Saugatuck River for Possible Person
The Westport Police Department Dive Rescue Team remained on standby after 6:00 this evening from the Westport Library parking lot. WestportLocal.com photo
Westport firefighters, including the newly promoted Chief Michael Kronick (center) on scene from the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. WestportLocal.com photoFirst responders were dispatched shortly after 5:00 this evening to the Saugatuck River in the area of Downtown for the person possibly in the water.
Westport Police Department and Fire Department officials could be seen throughout the riverbank sections of the community, with the Police Department Dive Team unit standing-by at the Westport Library parking lot, with members searching the waters in the vicinity of the Downtown area.
A short time after 7:00 tonight, the Westport Police Department’s Marine 1 response boat could be seen heading upriver from its Winter standby location outside of the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club. Local air temperatures hovered around 35 degrees and water temperatures just above 42 degrees.
Police Report School Employee Fell Asleep while Intoxicated at Work; Arrested for Risking Injury to Child
Westport Police Department Release
Westport Police Department contributed photoOn 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 ReleaseOn 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 DepartmentWestport 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.
Car Accident Reported on Wilton Road at Kings Highway North; Avoid the Area
A motor vehicle accident has been reported shortly after 1:30 today at the intersection of Wilton Road and Kings Highway North. No information has been released, expect traffic and avoid the area if possible as first responders head to the scene.
Westport Firefighters Extinguish Evening Car Fire on I-95
Firefighters were dispatched to I-95 in the southbound lanes, south of Exit 18, for the reported car fire. Flames could be seen underneath the vehicle as the Greens Farms firehouse engine arrived shortly after 5:30, quickly extinguishing the small fire. No other information was released. WestportLocal.com photo