Authorities are investigating what led to the death of a 2-year-old found unresponsive Friday at the home of a Winthrop police lieutenant charged with child rape last month, but they say initial findings don’t indicate a suspicious cause.

“The initial investigation into the death of a two-year-old in Winthrop today indicates no signs of foul play or physical trauma,” the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement Friday afternoon. “We are awaiting an autopsy to determine cause of death.”

State Police assigned to the office responded late Friday morning to 26 Pleasant St., where Winthrop Police Lt. James Feeley, 56, lived when he was charged with one count of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child.

Authorities found the 2-year-old unresponsive at the scene. The DA’s Office did not share any further information, as the investigation continues to develop.

The charges that Feeley faces state the victim was a child less than 12 years old.

A not guilty please was entered on Feeley’s behalf during his arraignment in East Boston municipal court on Dec. 27.

Winthrop Police Chief Terance Delehanty placed Feeley on administrative leave from the department pending the outcome of the criminal investigation being led by State Police Detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

In the aftermath of his arrest, the state Department of Children and Families confirmed to news outlets that Feeley was a foster parent for the agency. DCF did not indicate whether the children were removed from the home due to state and federal privacy requirements.

“The Department of Children and Families is investigating these disturbing allegations against a foster parent,” the agency stated. “There are no foster children currently residing in the foster home.”

Judge Joseph Griffin imposed a $200,000 cash bail during Feeley’s arraignment.

Prosecutor Benjamin Hui had argued that the severity of the charges warranted a $500,000 cash bail. Defense attorney Nitin Dalal, who was appointed only for the initial hearing, described that amount as “ridiculous” and that Feeley and his family are “underwater” financially. He also said his client had himself come forward and disclosed the allegation.

“He has worked in the department for 20 years,” Dalal said about his client’s connection to the community. “What happened here is an aberration of immense proportions. He is not a flight risk, he knows he has to face justice for this.”

Griffin also imposed GPS monitoring should Feeley be able to post bail. The exclusion zone to keep him away from the victim is his own house.

“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,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement following the arraignment.

Feeley himself disclosed that he had sexually assaulted the child multiple times, according to a portion of the redacted criminal complaint provided by the clerk’s office following the hearing.

The child allegedly told police the incidents began about a year ago.

Related Articles

Winthrop police officer charged with child rape

Massachusetts town meeting interrupted by antisemitic ‘Zoombombing,’ person displays swastika and gives Nazi salute

Delehanty in an interview with a Massachusetts State Police detective said that he had received a call that Feeley was “in a bad way” surrounded by family at the gravesite of his parents in Winthrop’s Belle Isle Cemetery. He allegedly had a gun on him.

Delehanty said he believed that Feeley was suicidal and that Feeley told him “wait until I tell you what I’ve done,” before disclosing that he had had sexual contact with the child. The assaults, according to the complaint, “occurred on unknown dates and times presumably in Winthrop.”

Feeley was promoted to lieutenant in 2020 after holding the rank of sergeant for three years. Prior to that, he served as patrolman for six years, and reserve officer for eight years. He is also a medic for the Metro North Special Operations Unit, according to the Winthrop page.