UPDATE: Police Ask for Public’s Help in Locating Missing 22 Year Old after Saugatuck River Search
Westport Police Department: On January 13, 2022, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the Westport Police Department began a missing person investigation. It was reported that around 4:30 p.m. a twenty-two-year-old female launched a canoe into the Saugatuck River. A short time later a witness saw the female in the canoe in the area of the Ruth Steinkraus Bridge in the center of town. The witness briefly lost sight of the canoe and when he saw it again it was empty. At the time the female was seen in the canoe the water level was relatively low, so it is possible that she got out of the canoe and walked to shore.
Currently, the Westport Police and Fire Dive Team is searching the waters where the person was last seen. A thorough search on land is also being conducted.
The missing person is identified as twenty-two-year-old Sera Levy. Ms. Levy is Caucasian, approx. 5’6”, weighs roughly 130 lbs., and has chin length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a yellow coat and blue pants.
The police are asking any resident that lives along the Saugatuck River to please check your home surveillance for any footage that may be helpful. If anyone has information regarding Ms. Levy’s whereabouts, please contact the Westport Police Department immediately at 203-341-6000.
10:30 PM UPDATE
As of 10:30 PM on January 13, 2022: Westport PD has developed information that the missing person exited the river and made her way to a local business where she was captured on surveillance. Although WPD has not located the missing person at this time, the search for her in our local waters has been suspended. We ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ms. Levy to please contact the Westport Police Department.
1:13 AM
The missing woman has been found and is safe
"The missing person is identified as twenty-two-year-old Sera Levy. Ms. Levy is Caucasian, approx. 5’6”, weighs roughly 130 lbs., and has chin length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a yellow coat and blue pants." Contributed photoSirens: First Responders Search Saugatuck River for Possible Person
The Westport Police Department Dive Rescue Team remained on standby after 6:00 this evening from the Westport Library parking lot. WestportLocal.com photo
Westport firefighters, including the newly promoted Chief Michael Kronick (center) on scene from the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. WestportLocal.com photoFirst responders were dispatched shortly after 5:00 this evening to the Saugatuck River in the area of Downtown for the person possibly in the water.
Westport Police Department and Fire Department officials could be seen throughout the riverbank sections of the community, with the Police Department Dive Team unit standing-by at the Westport Library parking lot, with members searching the waters in the vicinity of the Downtown area.
A short time after 7:00 tonight, the Westport Police Department’s Marine 1 response boat could be seen heading upriver from its Winter standby location outside of the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club. Local air temperatures hovered around 35 degrees and water temperatures just above 42 degrees.
Police Report School Employee Fell Asleep while Intoxicated at Work; Arrested for Risking Injury to Child
Westport Police Department Release
Westport Police Department contributed photoOn November 23, 2021, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Westport Police detectives responded to Greens Farms Elementary School on a report that a staff member was possibly impaired. Upon arrival, detectives learned that Speech and Language Pathologist Michelle Babin allegedly fell asleep while providing educational instruction to a student. The investigation further revealed that it purportedly took staff at least thirty seconds to wake Ms. Babin and when she finally did wake up, she was reportedly mumbling incoherently. Additionally, she purportedly had the odor of alcohol on her breath. Ms. Babin was ultimately transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation.
The detectives conducted an extensive investigation and concluded that the student in question was not being appropriately supervised while in Ms. Babin’s care because she was reportedly both asleep as well as possibly intoxicated when she was supposed to be instructing him. This put the child at great risk of being injured. A warrant for Ms. Babin’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.
On the afternoon of December 30, 2021, Ms. Babin turned herself in at the Westport Police Department. Per the warrant, she was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child. Ms. Babin was released after posting a $75,000.00 bond and was arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on January 5, 2022.
Sirens: Car vs. Tractor Trailer Crash Reported on I-95 Southbound between Exits 18 and 17
First responders were dispatched just before 12:45 this afternoon for the motor vehicle accident on I-95 in the southbound lanes, between exits 18 and 17, with both a car and tractor trailer involved. No other information has been released. Avoid I-95 southbound at Exit 18; access the interstate from exit 17 for points south of Westport.