Three former police officers had inappropriate sex with a young woman who took her own life last year following becoming pregnant, NBC Boston reported.
This was revealed by an internal investigation within the police department of Stoughton, Massachusetts.
Matthew Farwell, his twin brother William Farwell and Robert Devine are the three ex-officers charged with having inappropriate sex with 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore, Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara has announced.
“She was abandoned, manipulated and used by authority figures she admired and trusted,” she said.
The events
Sandra Birchmore became pregnant and committed suicide in February 2021.
When she was 13, Ms. Birchmore entered the police service’s youth mentorship program. It was then that she met Matthew Farwell, who was her instructor.
Evidence shows Mr Farwell began a relationship with the young woman when she was 15 and he was 27.
Hundreds of explicit messages were discovered between the two over several years, according to the chef. William Farwell is also accused of having exchanges of this nature during his shifts. He also allegedly tried to introduce Sandra Birchmore to other men.
Regarding the baby she was carrying, Ms Birchmore had told friends she was pregnant with Mr Farwell, the ‘Boston Globe’ reported. The ex-policeman had ended their relationship a few days earlier following a “dispute”.
Other police officers involved?
As for the other officers involved, Robert Devine, who was responsible for the mentoring program for many years, and William Farwell, they are also accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Ms. Birchmore. A fourth man who now works in another police department is also involved in these charges.
Five other individuals from this police department are believed to be involved, according to the police.
Mr. Devine also had inappropriate contact with another young person in the program, added Ms. McNamara.
The latter asked the State to withdraw the certification of these former police officers, which would prohibit them from exercising their functions once more.
The investigation is continuing and has been handed over to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office.
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