Crime & Safety

Suspected Child Abusers Arrested

Two foster parents were arrested after shaking an infant so strongly that it had to be hospitalized.

Westport police arrested two fosters parents on Wednesday after a 6-month-old infant was shaken so badly that it had to be transported to Westchester Medical Center due to severe injuries.

Debbie Decarvalho, 42, and Mario Leone, 38, both of 1040 Post Road East, were each charged with first-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor. They turned themselves in on Wednesday.

According to the police, the incident happened on July 2 and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families immediately removed the three other foster children from the residence. Investigators from the DCF, state Attorney’s Office and the Westport Police Department worked together and obtained warrants to arrest the foster parents.

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Bail was set at $50,000 each and they are both scheduled to appear in state Superior Court in Norwalk on Jan. 28.


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