Stamford Man Accused of Impregnating 12-Year-Old

A Stamford man is being held on sexual assault charges stemming from the alleged abuse of 12-year-old relative who became pregnant.

The investigation that ended with the arrest of the man, began on July 19 when the Stamford Police SIJO (Special Investigation Juvenile Offenses) unit was notified by the New York Police Department that they had Leonel Bartolo Rodriguez, 39, of Stamford, in custody, according to a Stamford Police statement. Rodriguez was held on investigative detention for the reported sexual assault of a 12-year-old relative.

The “NYPD relayed that the incident happened in our jurisdiction and that they (had) 48 hours to hold a suspect on an investigative detention,” according to Stamford Police.

According to police, the victim told her mother on July 17 that she was not feeling well and was experiencing cramps. Her mother took her to the doctor where it was determined that the girl was pregnant. The doctor notified the state Department of Children and Families and at that time the child was reluctant to disclose any information about the pregnancy, according to police.

The next day, on July 18, the victim, along with her mother and the suspect, travelled to Queens, NY to visit an aunt. During the visit the victim disclosed to the aunt that the suspect was responsible for sexually abusing her on several occasions and causing the pregnancy. The aunt called the NYPD in Queens who took Rodriguez into custody and then notified Stamford Police.

To protect the victim’s identity, Patch is not identifying the nature of the relationship between the victim and Rodriguez.

According to Stamford Police, the SIJO unit immediately began an investigation and coordinated with the State’s Attorney’s Office, Child Guidance, Sexual Assault Crisis Team, and DCF. Stamford Police “Officer Butler undertook the investigation and he immediately had the victim, mother and aunt come back to Stamford to be interviewed. Several search warrants were applied for along with numerous statements from the victims and witnesses,” according to police.

On July 19, Stamford Police obtained an arrest warrant and Rodriguez was then held in New York as a fugitive from justice until he waived extradition on July 23. Rodriguez was charged with first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. According to Connecticut Judicial Branch records, the assault took place May 1. Rodriguez is being held on $100,000 bond and scheduled to return to court Aug. 4, according to the Judicial Branch website.

In their statement, police said, “We would like to recognize Sgt. Kennedy, (Officers) Butler, Longo, Lynch, and E. Maldonado for handling this sensitive case with the upmost professionalism and they never lost sight that they dealing with a pregnant victim of a heinous sexual assault carried out by a (relative).”

Police also said that the SIJO unit has seen an increase in sexual assaults perpetrated upon juveniles in the last year. “We would like the community to know that the SPD vigorously investigates all types of sexual assaults perpetrated against child victims within this community. We work very closely with the States Attorney’s Office, Child Guidance, Sexual Assault Crisis Team and DCF to ensure that these cases are investigated and that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” police said.