Adams Couple Sentenced to Staggered Prison Terms in Death of Foster Infant
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An Adams couple will serve staggered three-to-five year prison sentences for the 2020 death of their foster infant.
Matthew Tucker and Cassandra Barlow-Tucker on March 16 were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and reckless child endangerment in the death of Kristoff Zenopolous on Feb. 18, 2020.
Their sentencing was delayed by Judge Tracy Duncan until Thursday to determine how their four children, two of whom have high needs, would be cared for.
Kristoff was just 10 months old when he died from complications with respiratory illness, strep throat, and pneumonia. A Superior Court jury determined that his death was a result of neglect. The commonwealth requested five years in prison and three years of probation for both defendants.
On Thursday, the rescheduled hearing for sentence imposition was held, and Tucker and Barlow-Tucker were sentenced to state prison for manslaughter involving neglect of legal duty, and three years of probation for reckless child endangerment.
Court documents state that Barlow-Tucker was committed to the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Framingham. She will serve three to five years there first; her husband, will serve his sentence once hers is completed but will be on probation.
"The sentences imposed will be a state prison sentence of not less than 3 years and not more than 5 years to MCI as to each Defendant as to count #1. The sentences will be staggered. Ms. Barlow-Tucker will serve her incarceration sentence first," court dockets read.
"As to counts #2, Mr. Tucker will be placed on Probation for 5 years and this Probation will be served first. Ms. Barlow-Tucker will be placed on Probation for 3 years from and after the sentence imposed on count #1."
Last month, the court heard from Kristoff's birth mother, Kayla Zenopoulos, who said her heart breaks for everybody, and his grandfather, who lovingly described the baby's favorite foods, toys, and songs before his life was tragically cut short.
"I want justice. I don't believe in an eye for an eye, but I want justice for Kristoff," his grandfather said.
According to court documents, Barlow-Tucker will be at home for two weeks with her husband and co-defendant "obtaining all the information necessary to assume care of the four children in the home," and "Tucker's sentence will be stayed with a date to be determined."
"Upon Ms. Barlow-Tucker's release, the Clerk's Office shall set the date of the imposition of Mr. Tucker's sentence two weeks after. Mr. Tucker will check in with the Probation Department as they require," the docket says.
"If Mr. Tucker, for any reason, loses custody of his children, his case will be brought forward, the stay will be rescinded and the sentence shall be imposed. This is all contingent on Ms. Barlow-Tucker's sentence and determination or completion of her incarceration."
While Tucker and Barlow-Tucker are on probation, they are not to receive or participate as a foster parent for any child, and will not have supervision of any children other than their own.
Tags: manslaughter, sentencing,
