Paraprofessional, Now Kicked Off School Grounds In Mansfield, Facing Threatening Charge On Administrator

MANSFIELD, CT — Threats made to a school system administrator out Mansfield Middle School by a staff member has landed that now-former staff member with two criminal charges, a warrant indicates.

Jennifer MacLeod Roberts, 52, of Chaplin, was served a warrant on May 21 charging her with second-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace. She posted a $10,000 bond and is expected in Rockville Superior Court on June 3, records show.

The case dates back to May 13, when state police were told by the superintendent of schools that Roberts, then a paraprofessional at the school, was accused of making threats against Director of Student Support Services Shamin Patwa during a conversation with band teacher Rebecca Bernardo, according to a warrant.

Roberts had been placed on administrative leave a day earlier, according to a warrant. Roberts was apparently upset that a relative was not awarded a certain full-time job in the school system, according to a warrant.

Roberts is accused of threatening to have her husband track down Patwa and have her beaten up over the job issue, according to a warrant.

The threats were considered to be serious, according to a warrant.

In an interview with state police, Roberts said the statements were made in jest and were a result of frustration of the relative not getting the job, according to a warrant.

Roberts and her husband were both trespassed from all school grounds in town, according to a warrant.