Child rape and violent incidents reported at Massachusetts migrant shelters, former director says
A former director at a migrant shelter in Massachusetts is coming forward with shocking allegations of widespread violence, child sexual assault, and rape at shelters in the state. The director, Jon Fetherston, managed a shelter in Marlborough and revealed disturbing incidents that occurred during his time there.
Fetherston described a chaotic and violent environment at the overcrowded 550-person shelter, including an incident where a father impregnated his 14-year-old daughter. The man, identified as Ronald Joseph, allegedly raped his daughter multiple times on their journey to the U.S. and became violent when she was removed from the shelter. Despite his admission of rape, Joseph was simply transferred to another shelter in Worcester, where he was not detained or charged.
Another harrowing incident involved a 16-year-old girl who reported being raped multiple times by a 29-year-old man at the shelter. The man, identified as Gladimy Rodene, was arrested and removed from the shelter, but not detained or charged. He reportedly assaulted another girl at the shelter as well.
In a separate incident, a pregnant woman was allegedly raped and assaulted at a different hotel shelter by a Haitian national named Marc Kervens Beauvais. Additionally, a 26-year-old Haitian national, Cory Bernard Alvarez, was arrested for the aggravated rape of a 15-year-old child at a Rockland migrant shelter.
Fetherston also mentioned instances of migrants fighting over resources like microwave access and one migrant driving a car into his office in retaliation for scaling back on providing diapers to those on government benefits. Despite these challenges, Fetherston worked tirelessly to assist migrants with enrolling in social services, providing essential items, coordinating dry cleaning, and arranging transportation for them.
These disturbing revelations come as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has vowed to resist the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts. Healey has declared that state police will not cooperate with the expected deportations and will use every tool available to protect residents in the state.
The state of Massachusetts has been overwhelmed by the migrant surge from the southern border, spending nearly $1.1 billion of taxpayers’ money this fiscal year to house and feed border crossers in converted hotels. Governor Healey has acknowledged that the state’s policies may attract migrants, but has called for federal action to address the crisis.
As these allegations of violence and abuse in migrant shelters come to light, it is clear that urgent action is needed to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge in Massachusetts. The state must address these issues and work towards providing a safe and secure environment for migrants in need.
