DANBURY -- A state Superior Court jury will begin hearing testimony Wednesday in the trial of a woman who allegedly convinced her stepchildren to fabricate charges that led to their mother's arrest on sexual assault charges.
Flavia DaSilva, 36, a former Danbury resident now living in Waterbury, was charged last year after the girl's father told Danbury police that both his daughter and son, then 11 and 10, respectively, had recanted claims their mother molested them and said DaSilva helped make them up.
DaSilva has pleaded not guilty to two counts of risk of injury to a minor and interfering with police. A panel of six regular jurors and three alternates has been chosen to hear the case.
According to court documents, detectives from the Police Department's Special Victims Unit began an investigation in March 2011 after the girl said she had been molested by her biological mother. Police said the brother made similar allegations, and both children repeated their stories when interviewed by counselors with the Danbury Regional Child Care Advocacy Center.
As a result of the initial investigation, the mother was arrested. But a year later, the father contacted police and said after DaSilva moved out of their home, his daughter admitted the alleged abuse never took place.
Both children subsequently recanted their claims in interviews with police and with a child abuse counselor, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.
The girl told investigators that her earlier story was "not true, but a lie," and said DaSilva came up with it after the girl told her she didn't like going to her mother's house. The girl also said DaSilva "kept putting things in her head," including telling her what to say during her interviews with police and counselors.
Court records also indicate there was previous bad blood between DaSilva and the mother. According to Assistant State's Attorney Colleen Zingaro, the mother sued DaSilva over a cellphone bill in November 2010 and DaSilva poured water over the mother's head during a confrontation at a local nightspot because she believed the mother was flirting with her husband.
DaSilva is represented by Waterbury attorney Raymond Kotulski.
Judge Robin Pavia will preside.
jpirro@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342
