Suffield Superintendent Among 2 Arrested For Non-Reporting Abuse

Editor's note: one name was removed from this article as charges were dropped.

SUFFIELD, CT — Superintendent of Schools Karen Berasi and (removed) turned themselves in at Suffield police headquarters Thursday on warrants charging them with failing to report suspected child abuse or neglect in two separate incidents.

Berasi, 68, and (removed), were each charged with failure to report abuse or neglect by a mandated reporter. They were processed and released on written promises to appear in Enfield Superior Court on Nov. 20, Capt. Christopher McKee said.

On May 22, the office of Chief of Police Richard Brown was notified by Department of Children and Families staff of an allegation involving members of the Suffield Public School District.

"The complaint under DCF investigation alleged that several school administrators and members of senior leadership of the Suffield Public School District, including the Superintendent, had failed to report an act of suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Families as required by Connecticut law," McKee said at the time.

Retirement plans for Berasi had been unanimously approved by the Board of Education Tuesday, keeping her on fully paid leave until June 30, 2019. Her annual salary is $176,750.

Mark Winzler has been serving as interim school superintendent.

(removed)'s arrest stemmed from a separate incident which allegedly took place on July 3, though not at a town-related activity or program.

Photo credit: Suffield Police Department

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