Manchester Cops Make Arrest In Child Sex Assault Investigation

MANCHESTER, CT — A Hartford man has been arrested as part of a child sex assault investigation out of Manchester, police said.

According to a news release, in September, the Manchester Police Department Child Investigations Unit received information regarding possible child sex abuse, according to a news release. The accusations included repeated incidents of sexual abuse spanning a period of several months, police said.

The suspect was identified as Richard Daignault, also known as "Ricky," a 33-year old Hartford resident, according to a news release. After an extensive investigation and in collaboration with Klingberg Children’s Advocacy Center and the Department of Children and Families, an arrest warrant was issued for Daignault, police said.

Daignault was taken into custody without incident Thursday, police said. He was charged with four counts of first-degree sexual assault, four counts of risk of injury and/or impairing the morals of a child and four counts of illegal sexual contact of a child, police said.

Daignault was being being held overnight on a $500,000 cash/surety bond, police said. He is scheduled to appear in Manchester Superior Court Friday.

Police said anyone with information that might be connected to the investigation can contact the Manchester Police Department at 860-645-5500 or the lead investigator, Detective Kristopher Slate at 860-645-5543.