MA Police Lieutenant Charged In Child's Rape: Officials

WINTHROP, MA — A lieutenant from the Winthrop Police Department was arraigned Wednesday on charges including child rape, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced in a news release.

James Feeley, 56, was charged with one count of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, according to officials.

Officials added that the alleged assaults occurred over the past year and Feeley was arrested Tuesday night following an investigation.

According to court documents, Feeley confessed to the crimes to Winthrop's police chief and others on Monday while he was threatening to harm himself while at the cemetery where his parents are buried, WCVB reported.

"James Feeley has been placed on administrative leave from the Winthrop Police Department pending the outcome of a criminal investigation headed by State Police Detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office," Chief Terence M. Delehanty said in a statement.

The District Attorney's Office has prosecutors and victim witness advocates specially trained to work with child victims of sexual assault, according to officials.

"We have a far better understanding of the care and approach to child victims of violence and sexual assault than in the past, and this victim and the victim’s family will receive all the help and support they need as this case moves forward," Hayden said.

The judge ordered Feeley held on $200,000 bail. He will return to court on Jan. 29 for a probable cause hearing.