Woman’s bail set at $2,500 in child rape

Woman’s bail set at $2,500 in child rape

By Scott J. Croteau and Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

scroteau@telegram.com

lbock@telegram.com

UXBRIDGE — A 45-year-old Whitinsville woman was arraigned today on four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and six counts of statutory rape of a child.

The boy was 13 years old when the alleged rapes occurred in 2005.

Police arrested Linda M. Mayotte, of 67 Laura Lane, yesterday afternoon on a warrant issued by Uxbridge District Court after a two-week investigation. Ms. Mayotte allegedly resisted arrest and was disorderly when police went to her house to arrest her, and she was additionally charged in court today with those charges.

At the brief morning arraignment before Judge Paul A. Losapio in Uxbridge District Court, Assistant District Attorney Robert Pellegrini said the victim was very well-known to the defendant. Mr. Pellegrini said the alleged assaults involved “various sexual acts” that took place between Feb. 1, 2005, and June 1, 2005.

Three children have been living at Ms. Mayotte’s home, a 16-month-old and two teenagers. The state Department of Children and Families has taken custody of the children, according to authorities. It appears the victim lived in her home, according to authorities who spoke in court.

Ms. Mayotte, who appeared in court with a bandage on her head, pleaded not guilty. Mr. Pellegrini said she may have tried to harm herself at the time of the arrest.

Douglas-based lawyer Betsy J. Choate represented Ms. Mayotte. She said the boy did not tell police about the matter until recently, when he was being questioned about a theft.

Ms. Mayotte has a bachelor’s degree in theology and is a part-time Avon sales representative, according to Ms. Choate.

Ms. Choate said a gun was allegedly involved in some way during the arrest, but no further details were provided in court.

“She feels she’s suicidal,’’ Ms. Choate said. “She has expressed that she does want to go a hospital and get some help.”

Judge Losapio set bail at $2,500, and ordered the defendant to have no contact with the boy.

Ms. Mayotte’s husband, Joseph Mayotte, was scrambling to post the cash bail after the court proceedings. If Ms. Mayotte does post bail, Judge Losapio said she must wear a GPS device.

Mr. Mayotte told a reporter to “get lost” when asked to comment. Ms. Choate also refused to comment.