Police Officer and Her Husband Charged with Child Rape After Man Alleges They Sexually Abused Him at 14 Years Old

A Massachusetts police officer and her husband face serious allegations after both were charged with multiple counts of child rape. The Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office named the couple as 31-year-old Samantha Pelrine, a police officer with the Plymouth Police Department, and her husband, Daniel Forand, aged 37. Their arraignment took place on Thursday, with both individuals pleading not guilty to the charges.

The couple was arraigned at Plymouth District Court, where Forand faced a slew of serious accusations, including six counts of indecent assault and battery, an alarming 12 counts of aggravated rape of a child, as well as charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. In parallel, Pelrine is charged with three counts of aggravated rape of a child and one count of statutory rape.

The allegations against Pelrine and Forand emerged following a report filed by a man in his early twenties, who claimed he was sexually assaulted by Forand and later by both Pelrine and Forand over several years. The incidents reportedly began when the man was just 14 years old and continued until 2025. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was raised by his aunt and grandmother until the age of 12, at which point he was taken in by Pelrine and Forand, who became his legal guardians a year later.

In an affidavit, the accuser described the traumatic experiences he endured, asserting that both Pelrine and Forand sexually assaulted him and subjected him to physical abuse. Disturbingly, he alleged that this abuse persisted until just last month, leading him to fear for his safety.

Following the allegations, Massachusetts State Police acted swiftly, executing arrest warrants for the couple at their home around 6 a.m. on Thursday. Plymouth Assistant District Attorney Jim Duffy noted that the duration of the abuse aligns with a pattern often referred to as “grooming,” indicating a calculated effort to manipulate and control the victim.

In a public statement, the Plymouth Police Department expressed its shock and dismay regarding the distressing nature of the case. The department indicated its commitment to maintaining high standards of conduct among its officers, emphasising the importance of public trust and the duty to uphold the law both on and off duty. Pelrine’s current duty status is reportedly under review as the investigation unfolds.

Defence attorneys for the couple have publicly denied the allegations, with Forand’s lawyer portraying the accuser as a “troubled young man” reacting adversely to being asked to leave their home. The attorney for Pelrine suggested that the accuser had previously made false allegations of inappropriate behaviour during his high school years.

Following their appearance in court, bail was set at $25,000 for Forand and $10,000 for Pelrine, both of whom were released later that day under specific conditions. These include maintaining no contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 18, surrendering firearms, and remaining within Massachusetts while also surrendering their passports.

The couple is set to return to court on June 8. The haunting nature of these allegations has sent ripples through the community, raising crucial concerns about safety and accountability within law enforcement.

As this case develops, it is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding children against abuse. If anyone suspects child abuse or requires assistance, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) and offers confidential support around the clock in over 170 languages.