Adams Couple Found Guilty in Foster Child's Death
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams couple have been found guilty in the 2020 death of their 10-month-old foster child.
Matthew Tucker and Cassandra Barlow-Tucker were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and reckless child endangerment in the death of Kristoff Zenopolous on Feb. 18, 2020.
A Berkshire County Superior Court jury returned the verdict on Monday. Assistant District Attorneys Andrew Covington and Stephanie Jimenez prosecuted the case as special prosecutors from the Northwestern District Attorney's Office because of a conflict of interest with the Berkshire DA's Office.
Evidence presented at trial showed that the child died after the defendants failed to seek medical treatment despite clear and obvious signs that he required care, according to the DA. The medical examiner determined that the child died from complications of a strep infection, bronchopneumonia, and empyema, a condition in which pus accumulates in the lungs and chest wall.
Medical experts testified at trial that these conditions are routinely treatable with timely medical care. The six-day trial included testimony from 14 witnesses. After approximately 2 1/2 hours of deliberation, the jury returned guilty verdicts against both defendants on charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless child endangerment.
Kellie Beaulieu served as the victim-witness advocate.
The Tuckers were indicted by then District Attorney Andrea Harrington in 2021 but the charges were dismissed the following year by Superior Court Judge John Agostini, who found the evidence too circumstantial. His findings were overruled by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2023. Current Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue recused himself because he had consulted with the Tuckers as a defense attorney.
The Tuckers' defense maintained that they had been dealing with sickness within the family for months, had consulted with doctors and the Department of Children and Families, and were missing records for Kristoff. The couple have four children, two of whom are adopted.
"The child should be celebrating his seventh birthday next month. Instead, he died at just 10 months old because the defendants, his foster parents, failed to seek medical treatment despite clear and obvious signs that he needed care," said Covington. "As special prosecutors assigned to this case, we felt a duty to see the matter through and ensure accountability."
Matthew Tucker was represented by attorney Jillian Sheldon of Pittsfield. Cassandra Barlow-Tucker was represented by attorney Jacqueline Dutton of the Committee for Public Counsel Services. The case was presided over by Superior Court Judge Tracy Duncan.
Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. in Berkshire County Superior Court. Involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in state prison and reckless child endangerment carries a maximum sentence of up to 2.5 years in the House of Correction.
"The Commonwealth would like to thank State Police Detective Lt. Ryan Dickinson and Detective Michael Wandrei from the Adams Police Department for their thorough investigation," Covington said.
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