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Burst Pipes Flood Cheshire Elementary School

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Highland Elementary School in Cheshire is closed Tuesday after frozen pipes burst and flooded classrooms.

Superintendent Jeff Sloan said around 20 rooms suffered some kind of damage. Officials hope to have the issue resolved for class on Wednesday.

Dozens of school districts across the state have announced closures or delays for Tuesday amid bitterly cold temperatures and icy conditions expected in the morning. See the full list here.



Photo Credit: Stringr.com

Loved Ones Remember Eversource Contractor Killed on the Job

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Sunday’s storm turned deadly after a tree fell on an Eversource contractor in Middletown, according to police.

Family identified the victim as Howard Alonzo Duffy III, 43, of East Haddam. He was best known by “Lonnie” to those who knew him and beloved in the East Haddam/Moodus community, according to his father Howard Duffy.

“It’s hard to explain. Just…just overwhelmed,” Duffy sighed. He’s still processing the news.

“He would tell me every day what he was doing for work. Really enjoyed it. He was making a good life now,” Howard Duffy said, adding his son was working hard for his twin 10-year-old boys and 22-year-old daughter.

He said his son was an equipment operator for Riggs Distler. NBC Connecticut reached out for comment from the company via phone and email but did not hear back.

He took the job less than a year ago, according to best friend Thomas Walsh, of Moodus, who added the company has been reaching out to Duffy’s family to help during this trying time.

“He worked 80 to 90 hours a week to save his money and he was going to surprise the boys with a gift he had in mind… And his daughter is getting married this year in Florida so he was working hard so he could pay for the nice wedding for her,” according to Walsh.

Duffy also left behind a fiancé who Walsh called “the love of his lifetime.”

Walsh said he broke the news to Duffy’s family about his death.

“Took me hours to believe it,” Walsh said. I hoped it was a bad dream, it wasn’t true.”

The two loved to go camping and four-wheeling. They would take annual trips to Florida and would take Duffy’s kids to Maine.

“I lost a great person,” Walsh said.

“He could do anything. He was amazing. It’s shocking. I can’t believe it,” said Dave Ludovico, of East Haddam, who works at Shagbark Lumber in town with Duffy’s father. He used to work with Duffy there years ago as a mechanic.

While he and Duffy hadn’t seen each other as much as they used to when they worked together, Ludovico said Duffy’s a fiercely loyal friend.

“He’s that guy you can call. Say last night I was stuck. No matter how long it’s been he’d come and get me,” Ludovico said.

Gov. Ned Lamont tweeted this morning “Last night a lineman was fatally injured during the storm. This is a reminder of the danger these men and women face on our behalf. While many are still out there working today, please join me in acknowledging them and sending our thoughts to this person’s family.”

Eversource released a statement that said “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this time.”

On Facebook, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew made a post that said, in part, “The men and women who work to get our power back on do an extraordinarily difficult and dangerous job and in often unpleasant conditions. We owe them out gratitude and to this person, our deepest appreciation and sympathy.”



Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

2 University of Oklahoma Students Leave School After Blackface Routine

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Two University of Oklahoma students who faced backlash over a blackface video posted to social media "will not return to campus," the school's president said Monday. 

In the video posted late last week on social media, a young woman is seen painting her face black, laughing and uttering a racist slur, while the other student was filming.

OU President James Gallogly said the students, both sophomores, were not expelled but "decided on their own to withdraw," NBC News reported.  

"This type of behavior is not welcome here and is condemned in the strongest terms by me and by our university," Gallogly said. 

The school is still investigating to determine if any other students were involved in making the video. The Tri Delta sorority confirmed earlier in the day that at least one of the women involved in the video is now a former member. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Water Main Break Closes Route 154 in Old Saybrook

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A water main break has closed Route 154 in both directions in Old Saybrook on Tuesday morning.

The water main break was reported at 6:20 a.m. and has closed Route 154 in both directions at Town Beach Road, according to Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Officials estimate the road will reopen within four hours or less.

Ansonia Apartment Building to be Condemned Due to Safety Violations: Mayor

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Approximately 50 residents have been temporarily relocated after an apartment building in Ansonia was found to be in violation of safety codes on Tuesday morning.

According to Mayor David Cassetti, Ansonia Fire Department was called to the Capital Apartments on 290 Main Street for a water flow call around 6 a.m.

When crews arrived, the mayor said the fire marshal found numerous extension cords running down the hallways, connected to space heaters.

Officials said this building has been the subject of numerous safety violations in the past.

The mayor said because of the current condition of the building, it was determined that the building be condemned.

Approximately 50 residents will be temporarily relocated to the Ansonia Senior Center until permanent accommodations may be found, the mayor added.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

When Does the Ice Melt? Timing out Milder Temps

CCSU Announces Personnel, Organizational Changes Amid Misconduct Investigation

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Central Connecticut State University announced on Tuesday it is making significant personnel and organizational changes after an investigation into allegations of misconduct by two professors.

The investigation focused on alleged sexual misconduct by theatre professor Joshua Perlstein and alleged misconduct by theatre professor Thomas Delventhal, school officials said.

Investigators reviewed thousands of documents, emails and texts and interviewed dozens of faculty, staff and current and former students.

“I am disgusted and disheartened by the new findings indicating two of our professors repeatedly engaged in sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with their students. Also disturbing are the apparent failures by administrators who, over the years, did not protect our students. The findings pinpoint vital changes that are needed to ensure past misbehaviors, mistakes, and inaction are not repeated at this University," President Zulma Toro said in a release.

In April of 2018, the school's student newspaper, The Recorder, highlighted a number of concerns and complaints about Perlstein, some of which dated back over a decade, school officials said.

President Toro immediately placed him on administrative leave and hired attorneys to conduct an investigation.

The investigation revealed, according to the school, that there was significant evidence that Perlstein had a history of questionable interactions with female students, that he was involved in sexual misconduct with one or more students, that he was not truthful about a period of time where he was involved in a sexual relationship with a student and that he attempted to conceal the problematic conduct because it would "put his job in jeopardy."

At the same time as the investigation, President Toro said she appointed the Task Force on Sexual Misconduct, Bullying and Campus Climate to conduct an exam of the processes and procedures related to how sexual misconduct and bullying issues are reported and handled on campus.

After following up on student complaints about Delventhal, investigators said that he admitted to kissing five students on the neck and/or forehead over the years, was untruthful during interviews during the investigation, denied attempting to engage in any relationship with current or former students and did not admit to recently reaching out to a former student to clear the air about their past relationship.

School officials said President Toro placed Delventhal on administrative leave last week and is beginning the process to dismiss both he and Perlstein.

President Toro said in a release that she plans to oversee the re-engineering of the Office of Diversity and Equity and the Human Resources Department. During the process, she said she hopes to identify and adopt a reporting, monitoring and tracking system to collect and spread information and data. She said this will help assess trends, issues and look up case information.

She said she also hopes to look into a new way of investigating things like sexual harassment, bullying and misconduct on campus, seek input from union leaders on how to achieve 100 percent employee participation in Title IX training and determine how to best incorporate education material on Title IX, bullying and civility into programs for students.

Some of the changes will be guided by the final report submitted by the Task Force, she said.

“To those who bravely shared their stories with our investigators, I am immensely grateful,” President Toro said in an email to campus on Tuesday.

“This has been a painful process for all of those involved. I am resolved to take the actions necessary to ensure our campus is a safe environment for all and to restore faith and pride in Connecticut’s oldest public institution of higher education,” she added.

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Mark Ojakian released a statement in response to Central Connecticut State University's changes on Tuesday.

“I applaud President Toro for taking prompt and decisive action to make CCSU – and the theatre department in particular – a better, more welcoming learning environment. The reports released today identify important steps that can and must be taken to ensure that all sexual misconduct complaints are received with the utmost seriousness, thoroughly investigated, and acted upon accordingly. I am beyond confident in the President’s ability to oversee and implement the necessary cultural and policy changes in a thoughtful and transparent manner,” he said.

Suspect Arrested in Connection to Attempted Robbery, Deadly Shooting at Prospect Used Car Dealership

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A Waterbury man has been arrested for his role in an attempted robbery and assault at a Prospect used car dealership that left one man dead in November of last year.

On Tuesday, troopers arrested 56-year-old Alton Woods in connection with the incident that happened on November 30 at Route 69 Auto Sales.

Woods was arrested by warrant, police said. He is facing charges including manslaughter, manslaughter with a firearm, robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful restraint, assault and conspiracy.

He is in the custody of the Connecticut Department of Corrections on unrelated charges and was processed at Waterbury Superior Court, according to police. He was held on a $1,000,000 court set bond.

On November 30, 2018, Connecticut State Police received two 911 calls reporting an armed robbery and assault at the used car dealership around 6:49 p.m.

According to police, two masked men armed with guns entered through the rear of the business and headed to the customer service area at the front of the business.

Officers said the two men, one of which was later identified as Woods, began to physically assault several employees, including the owner of the store.

A customer who was at the business saw the assault and drew his legally registered weapon before firing rounds towards the suspects, according to police.

The masked men then ran and exited through the rear of the business.

A State Police K-9 team responded to the scene and found a 44-year-old man near the store. Police said the man, later identified as Torrance Battle, of Waterbury, sustained gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead by paramedics.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

On Tuesday afternoon, Connecticut State Police clarified why Woods is being charged with manslaughter. According to police, the manslaughter charge applies in this instance because while attempting to commit an armed robbery and assaulting the business owner, Woods caused the death of the second robbery suspect, later identified as Battle. Battle was was shot and killed by the customer who legally possessed the gun.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

Police ID Man Who Died After Getting Pinned by Vehicle That Slid on Ice in Middletown

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Police have identified the man who died after he was pinned and dragged by his own vehicle when it slid on ice in his driveway in Middletown on Monday afternoon.

According to firefighters, a 75-year-old man pulled into his icy driveway on Fowler Avenue, which has a steep incline, around 2:45 p.m. and got out of his vehicle.

When the man, later identified as Rodley Russo, went to the rear of his vehicle to retrieve something, fire officials said the car started to slide on the ice down the driveway, over him.

The vehicle dragged Russo down his driveway to the road, where he was pinned underneath, firefighters said.

Firefighters were called to the scene and used airbags and wood cribbing to lift the vehicle off of Russo.

Russo was transported to Hartford Hospital, where he later died.

Middletown Police are investigating the incident. If you witnessed it, you're encouraged to contact Sgt. Doug Clark or Officer Peter Botsacos at (860) 638-4000.



Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

4 Portland High School Students Sickened After Vaping: Superintendent

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Some students at Portland High School were sickened after vaping on Tuesday, according to the Superintendent of Schools.

Superintendent of Schools Philip B. O'Reilly said four students fell ill after reportedly vaping in the boys' bathroom on Tuesday afternoon.

Out of an abundance of caution, emergency medical personnel were called to the school and medical professionals are evaluating all four, he said.

The students were sent to the hospital. No serious injuries were reported, officials said. 

O'Reilly said the administration plans to thoroughly investigate the matter and will address the incident in accordance with Board of Education policy.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Water Shoots into the Air in Glastonbury Street

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An issue with underground pipes sent water shooting stories into the air in Glastonbury Tuesday.

It happened on Route 17 in South Glastonbury shortly after noon. MDC and Glastonbury police are on scene.

Crews on scene said they were trying to determine if this was a water main break or if a valve was inadvertently left open.

Expect traffic delays in the area.



Photo Credit: John Ferguson

Fatal Head-On Crash Closes Route 16 in Colchester

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At least one person is dead after a two-car head-on crash on Route 16 in Colchester Tuesday afternoon.

Fire officials said two vehicles crashed head-on on Lebanon Avenue and two people were trapped.

Colchester police confirmed the crash was fatal.

There was also a fire reported. It was knocked down by someone before emergency crews arrived, fire officials said.

Route 16 is closed near Northern Boulevard, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

Officials did not have an estimate for when the road may reopen.



Photo Credit: Submitted Photo

Hamden Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Child

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Hamden police have arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting a child.

Police said they were called to Yale-New Haven hospital on January 13 for the report. Investigators identified the suspect as 60-year-old Hamden resident Angel Vasquez Sr.

When police tried to arrest Vasquez at his home, they found that he “suddenly moved and cleared out his apartment,” police said. He was later located with help from the U.S. Marshals Service Connecticut Violent Fugitive Task Force at an apartment in New Haven.

Vasquez was charged with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. He was held on a $250,000 bond and is due in court on February 4.



Photo Credit: Hamden Police Department

Couple Burned During Early Morning House Fire in Waterbury

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Two residents of a home on Willow Street are recovering from burns in the hospital after a large fire on Tuesday morning.

Waterbury Fire Department said a call came in around 1:30 a.m. about a fire on Willow Street.

When crews arrived, they found the heaviest fire on the second and third floors. 

Two residents were taken to the hospital, firefighters said.

Randy Dempsky described the moments following his neighbor's home erupting in flames.

“I was watching TV, and all of a sudden, I heard this loud scream. So I ran outside and both our neighbors were badly burned. I took them into my house. Went and slammed on my roommate’s door. Then I called 911, and as I was calling 911, I ran down to the firehouse and smashed on the Plexiglass and woke all the firemen up,” he said.

Dempsky told NBC Connecticut that the two people who were taken to the hospital are a couple. He said the woman was badly burned on her face and was in much worse condition, compared to her husband.

All of the residents who were displaced were sent to the North End Recreation Center, which serves as a warming center. It is unclear how many people total were displaced.

The Fire Marshal's Office said they cannot start their investigation until the ice on the house thaws out. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Clear That Ice Off Your Car or Face a Fine: State Police

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Connecticut State Police are reminding drivers that any snow or ice you fail to clear off your car can do serious damage to someone else’s.

State police said in the last 36 hours troopers have responded to an “alarmingly high” number of calls for damage after snow or ice flew off another vehicle while traveling on the highway. Police added that this is one of the worst years we’ve had.

It’s not just common courtesy - failing to clear your car can result in a $120 fine.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police
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Lights Coming Back On in Bethany After Ice Storm

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The hours ticked by as power crews vigorously worked to restore power to homes in Bethany. Some have be without electricity and heat for more than 48 hours.

But as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, less than one percent of town – that’s less than two dozen people – were still in the dark compared to about 96 percent Monday around the same time.

“We’re very cold. It’s only like 45 degrees in my house,” said Larysa Gildea.

It’s been a tough couple of days for her and her three children. As of 1:30 Tuesday afternoon, she was still without power but crews flooded Brookwood Road working to restore it.

“I think three poles snapped in half. Then we had one that was down. But we’re kind of used to this. The last storm that we had in May, we were down for five to six days,” Gildea said.

But single-digit temperatures haven’t made it easier. The family has a wood burning stove but it doesn’t have a blower, and their generator has restrictions. Space heaters, electric blankets and snuggling have been their solution.

“It’s really hard to move around,” said 13-year-old daughter Mischa Stacy. “You’re so used to turning on the light switch and you’re like, ‘oh, right.’”

It was the first time the family was able to get out of the house since the storm hit Sunday. They’re also without water.

“We have to fill up the bathtub and that’s what we use to flush the bathroom — the toilets,” Gildea said. “So we’re roughing it.”

Crews were up and down Route 69 and the adjoining side roads in Bethany working to get the lights back on.

Some streets had lines down in the snow.

Ice shattered on the ground as they cut trees that had toppled onto power lines or hindered repairs.

“We were all like, ‘oh my god we have power back! The lights are on. Yes,” 17-year-old Keely Barletta explained.

After about 48 hours the lights are back on in the Barletta home. So is the WiFi.

“Oh, I’m so happy! I didn’t think it would come back,” Barletta smiled.

Dad Criag Barletta was just glad he had two wood burning stoves to help keep his family warm during the single-digit weather. Not having water was tough, though.

“It’s a lot of pressure when you’re worrying about that. Taking care of your family,” Barletta said.

But he has a lot of respect for the linemen braving the weather and wind chill.

“I feel for the line guys who are out there freezing and trying to get us power. That’s a tough thing. I work outside too. It’s brutally cold to be out there working and trying to concentrate and do your job,” Barletta said.

Bethany First Selectman Derrylyn Gorski said the town switched warming centers twice. The feed to the generator at the Bethany Congregational Church froze. Then the heat at the Bethany Community School wasn’t circulating.

Now the warming center is at Town Hall, which opened late Tuesday because of frozen pipes.

“We have asked people to please stay home. It’s just not safe. If you’re out driving around, stuff is dropping on your car,” Gorski said.

Gorski said Sunday evening a falling branch just barely missed a lineman. The branches are so heavy from the ice, it’s created a dangerous situation, she added.

“He’s on the boom and a branch came and missed — just missed him. They pulled the crews out. And they should have,” Gorski said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Ground Stop Issued at Newark Airport After Drone Sighting

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A ground stop has been issued for flights to Newark Airport after two drones were spotted over Teterboro Airport Tuesday evening, FAA officials said. 

The drones are no longer in the airspace and flights have resumed at Newark Airport, but there is a ground stop for planes headed to Newark from other airports until they can clear the back log of flights, said the FAA. 

The FAA generally prohibits drones from flying within five miles of airports because of the danger they pose to the other air traffic.



Photo Credit: News 4 NY
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Bronin Announces Re-election Bid

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Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announced Tuesday that he will seek reelection to the office he first won in 2015.

“We’ve got a lot of work left to do,” Bronin, a Democrat, said of his intention to seek reelection. “We’ve got momentum.”

Bronin’s victory in Hartford in 2015 was his first foray into public office. He previously served as legal adviser to then-Governor Dannel Malloy. He also worked for the Department of the Treasury under President Barack Obama.

He inherited a fiscal crisis, with years of structural deficits and unfunded liabilities projected long into the future. His office negotiated a bailout with the State of Connecticut, which has state taxpayers supporting the Capital City with tens of millions every year to assist with debt payments.

He described that agreement as a, “long overdue partnership,” between the city and the state.

Bronin also oversaw the completion of Dunkin’ Donuts Park, the minor league baseball stadium which saw a myriad of construction issues.

“We fought to bring this city from the brink of bankruptcy to stability,” he said. “And in the years ahead we’re going to moving this city from stability to strength.”

Hartford is a Democratic stronghold. Registered Democrats far outnumber Republicans, which means the real race for mayor happens in the Democratic primary, as opposed to the General Election.

In 2015, Bronin raised more than $900,000 in the run up to the September primary where eventually defeated incumbent Mayor Pedro Segarra. In 2019, Bronin is hoping to raise a similar sum of money ahead of the primary, but it’s not clear whether he will have a credible opponent.

NBC Connecticut has learned that Hartford Rep. Brandon McGee and State Sen. Douglas McCrory have each expressed interest in challenging Bronin, and have not ruled anything out.

Bronin’s record in Hartford is not without some bumps in the road, which could lead to those primary challenges.

He saw some contentious negotiations with organized labor groups over concessions. He also explored a run for governor last year, just two years into his stint as mayor, which never gained traction.

When asked about whether that poor calculation could come back to hurt him, Bronin said, “When I was exploring that run for governor, I didn’t see anyone that was in that race talking about the issues that mattered to the city of Hartford or communities like Hartford and I think that needed to be part of the discussion.”

He said after speaking more with Gov. Ned Lamont, he felt those issues would be addressed, and added, “I’ve tried to make every decision based on what I think is going to move this city forward and I hope people see that I work my heart out every day and I’m going to continue doing that every single day.”



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Lawmakers Pass Bill Providing Loans to Federal Workers

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State lawmakers on Tuesday passed legislation that will allow the state to back no-interest loans for federal workers working without pay during the ongoing shutdown.

The loans will be provided by banks or credit unions working with the state.

The initial loans would afford impacted employees up to one month’s net pay, capped at $5,000. They are low-risk for the state from a financial point of view because of the matchup.

“What we see are families that can’t pay their mortgages, families that can’t keep their kids in daycare. We see families that are having trouble putting food on the table, some of whom are running out of their savings, so whatever we can do to help our friends and neighbors across the state of Connecticut, we should be doing," said Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk).

In the event that the shutdown continues, participating banks and the state will work with impacted employees to provide additional funds.

The bill also allows towns and cities to delay local tax collection on property, car and utility bills for those federal workers until they get their paychecks. 

The legislation was an effort to help workers during the longest government shutdown in the nation's history. The only opposition came from some Republican fiscal conservatives who complained that the state should not be in the business of backing loans for anyone, or that the program singles out of the wrong group of people.

However, Republican leaders sponsored the bill. Rep. Themis Klarides, (R – Derby), the minority leader in the House, said she thought the short-term assistance is a way that Connecticut can step up as the federal government remains in gridlock.

“We can’t control what goes on in Washington, but we can control what goes in Connecticut and to the residents of the state of Connecticut who are being affected because Washington is dysfunctional," she said.

Gov. Ned Lamont signed the bill, his first as governor, and thanked lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for their work on the program.

“It’s the first bill I’ve had a chance to sign. And it was the first vote for a number of people in the legislature and I think we did a really good thing today," Lamont said.

The Connecticut Bankers Association also backed the program, and Lamont praised the banking community during the bill signing.

He said, “I do want to give a shoutout to the banks. I mean, they turned this thing around in about six or seven hours. That makes a difference.”

Approximately 1,500 federal employees in Connecticut are impacted by the partial government shutdown.

The state Department of Labor has already been offering some of them employment benefits, but only furloughed employees who are not allowed to work can file for unemployment, which means those working without pay were considered ineligible for benefits.

Tuesday marked day 32 of the shutdown. Before this, the longest government shutdown was during the Clinton administration. It lasted 21 days, from Dec. 16, 1995, until Jan. 5, 1996, according to NBC News. 



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Hartford Archdiocese Releases Names of Priests Accused of Sexually Assaulting Minors

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The Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford on Tuesday released a list of nearly 50 clergy members credibly accused of sexually assaulting minors.

The Archdiocese released the names of the clergy who have been the objects of legal settlements or who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of a minor from 1953 until present. The list also has the names of religious order priests and priests from other dioceses who have been credibly accused of an offense that took place in the Archdiocese, the Archdiocese said in a release.

Since 1953, 36 archdiocesan clergy members have been credibly accused, however, 23, are now deceased, according to the Archdiocese.

Twelve more clergy members are named as part of the religious order priests and those outside the Archdiocese.

See the full list of accused clergy here.

The Archdiocese of Hartford said there are currently no priests in the ministry who have been credibly accused.

Wethersfield resident Helen Martins said she knows two of the priests on the list.

"I’m very very hurt by it," she said, adding that she is praying for everyone involved and that the information doesn't change the way she feels about her church.

An independent investigation will be conducted to provide a comprehensive and transparent account of sexual abuse of minors by the clergy in the Archdiocese of Hartford, officials said.

“The bishops - and the Pope has not been strong enough to punish and take these priests out of commission," said Bernie Rand of Hartford, who added that he was shocked and extremely disappointed by the list.

To date, there have been 142 settled claims involving 29 archdiocesan clergy and three priests from other dioceses, the Archdiocese said. The settlements total $50.6 million and 98 percent of the settlements paid for were for allegations of abuse of a minor that occurred before 1990, they added.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut
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