Former Deputy Chief Accused of Inappropriate Remarks to 12-Year-Old
Ashley Bell, a former member of the Stoughton Police Department’s Explorers program, has come forward with troubling allegations about blurred boundaries and inappropriate behavior within the youth mentorship initiative once led by ex-Deputy Chief Robert Devine.
Bell’s revelations come in the wake of the tragic death of Sandra Birchmore, who was found hanging in her Canton, Massachusetts, apartment in February 2021. She was 23 years old and 10 weeks pregnant. Initially ruled a suicide, her death was later reclassified as a homicide.
Former Stoughton officer Matthew Farwell now faces charges for the murder of Birchmore and her unborn child. Prosecutors allege Farwell began a sexual relationship with Birchmore when she was just 15 and a member of the Explorers program.
Internal investigations also implicated Farwell’s twin brother, William, and Devine in having inappropriate relationships with Birchmore, whom they all met when she was 13.
Bell, now in her mid-30s, says she was never assaulted but recalls unsettling encounters with Devine when she was 12. She described being led into a gym closet, hugged, and told she was a “knockout”, with Devine suggesting she find him when she turned 18.
Devine denies any relationship with Bell, claiming she was “obsessed” with him. He has also been investigated for a separate affair that led to restraining orders and his suspension as deputy chief.
This case has reignited scrutiny over the conduct of law enforcement officers in youth programs and the systems meant to protect vulnerable participants.
Every child has the right to protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, governments must ensure children are safeguarded from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury, abuse, neglect, or exploitation, especially by those in positions of trust.
