Spouse now charged with rape of child
Spouse now charged with rape of child
Alleged victim of wife says baby is his
By Donna Boynton TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
dboynton@telegram.com
NORTHBRIDGE — A not guilty plea was entered for Joseph Mayotte in court today on charges of one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and statutory rape of a child.
The plea came two days after Mr. Mayotte's wife, Linda M. Mayotte, stood before the same judge in Uxbridge District Court on similar charges involving a different alleged victim. Mrs. Mayotte, 45, is charged with four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, two counts of unnatural rape and abuse of a child and four counts of statutory rape of a child.
She was arrested Tuesday and ordered held on $2,500 cash bail by Judge Paul A. Losapio at her arraignment Wednesday. Mr. Mayotte was taken into custody by police at his home yesterday afternoon.
In court today, Judge Losapio set Mr. Mayotte's bail at $25,000 and increased Mrs. Mayotte's to $25,000. If either of them posts bail, he ordered that a GPS monitoring device is to be worn. Mr. Mayotte was ordered to stay away from the victims, as well as any child under 16 years old.
He was to be held at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction in West Boylston if he did not make bail.
Mrs. Mayotte was held at MCI-Framingham.
Prison officials asked that she be transferred to Worcester State Hospital, and the judge approved the request.
She is scheduled to return to court on July 1, and Mr. Mayotte returns on July 8.
Meanwhile, the youth who was allegedly raped by Mrs. Mayotte told police that he believes he is the father of her 16-month-old child.
According to a lengthy, redacted police report released yesterday, the youth alleged the sexual abuse occurred on various dates, between February and June 2005, February and June 2006, and February and June 2007.
The youth has not been identified, although investigators said during Ms. Mayotte’s arraignment that he was a child in her care who lived at her home.
The police report states that steps are being taken to conduct a paternity test.
The allegations of abuse came to light June 5, a day after Ms. Mayotte reported to police that some jewelry was missing from her home. Police questioned the youth, who disclosed the alleged abuse in detail.
The youth said he believed the child is his, and was afraid to report the abuse, fearing for himself and the child.
The state Department of Children and Family notified the Police Department it had received a complaint against Ms. Mayotte June 5, one day after Ms. Mayotte reported the missing jewelry.
Laura Lane is a dead-end street in a small neighborhood of ranch houses. The neighborhood was built 35 years ago, and Mr. Mayotte and his brother grew up there. Longtime residents described it as the type of neighborhood that celebrated each child’s birthday together and where cookouts turned into block parties.
“All of our children grew up together,” said Patty Allegra, who was one of the original residents of the neighborhood. “All of our children went to school together; they graduated together. When (Mr. Mayotte) graduated from high school, everyone went there for a graduation party.”
Mr. Mayotte returned to live in his childhood home when his parents died, according to neighbors.
“His mother and father were good people, good friends. We always liked Joe and his family,” said Mrs. Allegra. “I am very shocked. They seemed to be happy; they seemed to have everything.”
The children are in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families, said Alison Goodwin, spokesman for the DCF. Ms. Goodwin said she could not comment further on the family because of the pending criminal case.
The police report indicates Ms. Mayotte and her husband were considering moving to Canada.
Contact Donna Boynton by e-mail at dboynton@telegram.com.