School Officials Didn't Disclose Sex Assault Report: Milford PD

MILFORD, CT — Two officials at a school in Milford were arrested last week after police said they failed to disclose a sexual assault report involving students.

Woodhouse Academy officials David Feldman, 57, and Barbara Feldman, 74, both of Hawks Ridge Road in Shelton, were arrested Oct. 28 and charged with failure to report an oral report by a mandated reporter. The school is a state-approved special education school and not part of the Milford Public School system.

On October 21, 2019, police said they received a complaint from the state Department of Children and Families.

"An investigation was conducted by Detective (Gillian) Gallagher who found that two students from Woodhouse Academy ... reported being threatened by a third student to Barbara Feldman, the director and David Feldman, the Chief Business Officer," police said in a statement. "Barbara and David Feldman conducted their own investigation and reported the incident as unfounded.

"Det. Gallagher found that the Feldman’s investigation included a sexual assault disclosure that occurred off campus but involved Woodhouse Academy students. The investigation resulted in arrest warrants being issued for David and Barbara Feldman who are accused of not making a DCF report regarding the incident reported by the students."

Woodhouse Academy opened in 2002.

"We provide an unparalleled educational, emotional, and therapeutic haven for adolescent students who have been diagnosed with internalizing psychological issues, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and/or Learning Disabilities," the school's website says. "At Woodhouse Academy students who have struggled in ordinary school environments or who have not lived up to their intellectual potential, can learn, adjust, overcome and be successful as they move onto college and out into the world."