Winthrop police officer arrested on child rape charges

A police officer from Winthrop, Massachusetts, was arrested on suspicion of raping a child, something he confessed to on the night of Christmas, court documents showed.

Lt. James Feeley, 56, appeared in a court in East Boston Wednesday morning to face charges of rape of a child and indecent assault and battery on a child, a day after being arrested. The alleged victim was under 12 years old.

A police report says the the alleged sexual assaults took place on unknown dates and times.

While that document said the incident took place overnight after Christmas, the alleged victim, who was taken to Boston Children's Hospital on Tuesday, described being sexually assaulted by Feeley, and that the sexual assaults had begun about a year prior, according to a state police arrest narrative. Another court document described Feeley, a longtime member of the department, confessing to other members of Winthrop police at a cemetery in Swampscott.

A judge ordered Feeley held on $200,000 cash bail, and to stay away from and have no contact with the alleged victim.

Feeley was also ordered to wear an ankle monitor upon his release and stay away from the alleged victim's home, as well as to surrender his passport and firearms and have no contact with children under 14. The judge, who denied his request to hide his face from cameras, issued a protective order for the alleged victim.

Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673, and Massachusetts provides this list of statewide and resources for sexual assault survivors.

Defense Attorney Nitin Dalal told the judge at the hearing that Feeley has a place to stay in another community with one of his brothers and that Feeley brought what happened to light.

"He is feeling guilt, remorse, embarrassment, humiliation," Dalal said. He also said Feeley is in need of mental health treatment and that is why prosecutors requested he surrender his weapons.

Feeley has been placed on administrative leave, Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty said in a statement Wednesday morning before the court hearing, noting that the criminal investigation was being led by Massachusetts State Police.

A representative for state police said they began the investigation Tuesday at the request of Winthrop police. Feeley was arrested about 5 p.m. that day in Swampscott.

The state police arrest narrative depicted a dramatic confession Feeley made at Belle Isle Cemetery, where his parents are buried, to Delahanty; his brother, Winthrop Sgt. Sean Delahanty; and members of his family on the night of Christmas.

Winthrop police found out about the allegations after Feeley's brother called Sean Delahanty that night to tell him he "was really in a bad way," Delahanty recalled, according to the report. He relayed a request to his brother, the chief, to meet Feeley at the cemetery and traveled there himself.

When he arrived, Sgt. Delahanty was told the nature of the allegations against Feeley, he recalled to the state police investigator. Delahanty told Feeley, "whatever is happening the answer is not on his hip," referring to the gun Feeley had on him. Feeley allegedly replied, "wait until I tell you what I've done."

Chief Delahanty arrived, and recalled hearing the extent of the allegations from Feeley, who apologized to the chief and the sergeant, according to the report — Feeley and the chief had known each other for decades. Believing Feeley was suicidal, the chief took Feeley's gun, and the man was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital to have a psychiatric evaluation.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.

Sgt. Delahanty recalled, according to the report, that Feeley couldn't explain why he had sexually assaulted the child.

Several neighbors in the neighborhood where Feeley lives in Winthrop said they were stunned by the news of his arrest.

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement that "this victim and the victim’s family will receive all the help and support they need as this case moves forward."

If convicted, Feeley faces at least 10 years in prison. He's due back in court Jan. 29.

Feeley served in the Winthrop Police Department for 21 years and was promoted to lieutenant in 2020. Photos from the department's Facebook page show him participating in various community events over the years.