Winsted AMBER Alert called off

BANTAM — An AMBER Alert issued Sunday night was called off early Monday morning, June 21, after a Winsted man accused of abducting his 1-month-old son was arrested in Torrington.

Darrin O’Brien, 30, of 58 Main St., Winsted, surrendered to Torrington police after allegedly taking his 1-month-old son, Darren, from the child’s mother, Dana Lindsay, the previous night. The son was taken to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, where it was determined he was unharmed, and was returned to his mother.

O’Brien was charged with risk of injury to a minor, interfering with an officer and breach of peace. Arraigned at Bantam Superior Court later in the day, he posted a $75,000 bond and was ordered to stay away from Lindsay.

Winchester police reported Sunday night that the child, Darren O’Brien Jr., had been taken from Lindsay’s home by O’Brien at 8:56 p.m. and that O’Brien had fled on foot. Lindsay reportedly told police O’Brien left saying, “If we’re not going to be together, we’re not going to have the baby.�

Police reported making contact with O’Brien at some point between Sunday night and Monday morning and that O’Brien said he would return the child, but he did not. He reportedly told police the following day that he had driven back to the residence and was frightened by the presence of police cruisers and turned back.

O’Brien and Lindsay have a history of domestic disturbances and other offenses. O’Brien had been arrested as recently as June 15 for breach of peace at 58 Main St. He had also been arrested previously for possession of marijuana, reckless driving and evading responsibility. In December of 2004,  he was convicted on charges of unlawful restraint and violation of a protective order. He served two years of a six-year sentence.

Lindsay was convicted last September of making false statements to police alleging domestic violence by O’Brien. She was sentenced to three months in jail, and charges against O’Brien were dropped. Lindsay was also arrested as recently as June 18 for disorderly conduct stemming from a previous incident.

Prior to Monday’s court order, there were no court orders prohibiting O’Brien from having contact with Lindsay or their son.

In court Monday, Assistant State’s Attorney Cynthia Palermo, asking for an increased bail amount, argued that O’Brien is “known to be violent and volatile in his nature� and that he is a “risk to society.�

Public defender James Longwell said O’Brien was trying to remove the baby from “a violent environment� and that he is not a flight risk.

Latest News

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free film screening and talk on end-of-life care
‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards.
Provided

Craig Davis, co-founder and board chair of East Mountain House, an end-of-life care facility in Lakeville, will sponsor a March 5 screening of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light” at The Moviehouse in Millerton, followed by a discussion with attendees.

The film, which is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, follows the poet Andrea Gibson and their partner Megan Falley as they are suddenly and unimaginably forced to navigate a terminal illness. The free screening invites audiences to gather not just for a film but for reflection on mortality, healing, connection and the ways communities support one another through difficult life transitions.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.