Assistant swimming coach in Meriden arrested for recording cellphone video in school bathroom

MERIDEN, CT (WFSB) - An assistant swimming coach at a school in Meriden was arrested for recording video in a bathroom.

Police said 23-year-old Daniel Barillaro Jr. was charged with voyeurism.

Last month, the Special Crimes Unit from the Meriden Police Department said it began investigating an allegation of a voyeuristic act that was alleged to have happened at O.H. Platt High School.

The complaint was received from the Meriden Public School System and an investigation was immediately launched.

“From what I heard, I’m very shocked,” said Chris Frazza, Meriden parent. “Coach is filming students? I’m sorry, just disgusting.”

A student reported witnessing a cell phone recording in a bathroom while they were getting prepared to change after practice, police said.

The suspect was identified as Barillaro, whom police said was a coach at Platt High School.

During their investigation, Barillaro’s cell phone was seized and analyzed. The analysis revealed no additional acts of voyeurism or victims identified, police said.

However, as a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained from the Meriden Superior Court for a voyeurism charge.

“The Meriden Police Department would like to acknowledge the bravery of this student to come forward and report this incident,” police said in a news released.

Several details of the incident were omitted in the news release to help protect the identity of the victim.

“I know there’s probably some speculation out there around what else might there be, and it doesn’t seem as though there is anything aside from this one incident that occurred, but of course if there is any student who has more information or has a concern, please reach out,” said Mayor Kevin Scarpati, Meriden.

Immediately after the allegation, Barillaro was placed on leave by the Meriden Public Schools and did not have access to children, police said.

“A school setting is a ripe pickings for somebody who wants to involve themselves in this type of horrible activity,” said Bobby McDonald, Lecturer in Criminal Justice, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science, University of New Haven.

McDonald says it’s important for parents to have conversations with their kids about the importance of speaking up when something doesn’t seem right.

“We’ve got to be talking to our kids. Let’s get back to the basics. Put the cellphones down at the dinner table and lets start talking about things that are going on in the community. This should be talked about at the dinner table a lot, in and around this area,” said McDonald.

Barillaro turned himself into the Meriden Police Department on Tuesday and was processed and released after posting a $5,000 court set bond. He was scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 22.

No other details were released.

Anyone with further information about this case please contact Det. Kevin Ieraci at 203-630-6294 or kieraci@meridenct.gov.

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