The charges against a Massachusetts police officer and her husband have cost her both her badge and her freedom — and the criminal case is still in its early stages.
Samantha Pelrine, a Plymouth Police Department officer, had her law enforcement certification suspended on March 30, 2026, by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission after she and her husband, Daniel Forand, were charged with years of alleged sexual and physical abuse of a minor in their care. Both have pleaded not guilty.
Us Weekly breaks down everything to know about the case, below.
What Are Samantha Pelrine and Daniel Forand Accused Of?
The alleged victim — now 21 years old — claimed in court documents that he met the couple through his aunt, who attended the same church, according to an abuse prevention order filed in Plymouth court and viewed by Us Weekly.
Pelrine, 31, and Forand, 37, took the child in when he was 12 years old and became his legal guardians. The accuser alleged the sexual and physical abuse began soon after. In the court filings, the alleged victim stated that Pelrine and Forand “both sexually assaulted me until 2025 and physically assaulted me until 2026.”
During the arraignment, prosecutors claimed the couple abused the boy beginning when he was 14 years old and it continued for several years.
“The name for that is grooming,” the prosecutor told Judge Kristen A. Stone, according to the Boston Herald.
“They are looking for me, and I am scared for my safety,” the alleged victim said, per the affidavit.
What Charges Are Samantha Pelrine and Daniel Forand Facing?
Pelrine has been charged with three felony counts of aggravated rape of a child with force and one count of aggravated statutory rape of a child.
Forand faces 20 charges, including rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
If found guilty, both face a statutory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
What Happened at Samantha Pelrine and Daniel Forand’s Arraignment?
Prosecutors asked that both defendants be held on $250,000 bail. Pelrine’s attorney, Joseph Krowski Jr., argued the couple should be released on their own recognizance with a no-contact order, citing no prior criminal history and strong community ties.
Judge Stone imposed a $10,000 cash bail for Pelrine and a $25,000 cash bond for Forand. Both were ordered not to contact the alleged victim or anyone under 18, and they were also required to surrender their passports and firearms.
Pelrine cried heavily during the arraignment at Plymouth District Court, while Forand was photographed with a blank expression.
Plymouth Police Department Issued a Statement About the Investigation
State Police notified the Plymouth Police Department that Pelrine was the subject of a criminal investigation, and she was placed on paid administrative leave on March 17. She had joined the department in 2022 and was assigned to patrol at the time, according to The Patriot Ledger.
Pelrine previously spoke about her career choice in a social media post viewed by MassLive. “I believe I picked the right career for my personality and what I wanted from a job because while the range of emotions from this job can vary drastically, I know that in some instances I’m truly able to make a difference in someone’s life,” she said at the time.
Pelrine and Forand were arrested shortly after her suspension.
“We are appalled and deeply disturbed by the allegations. We hold our officers to the highest of standards and expect them to uphold their sworn duty both on duty and off,” the department said in a statement. “Our primary mission is to safeguard the public’s trust and uphold the law. We value human life, fairness, integrity, accountability and professionalism. The conduct alleged is in violation of our values and of our basic principals [sic] a police officers to serve and protect.”
What Does Samantha Pelrine’s Suspended Certification Mean?
The Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, Commission announced they suspended Pelrine’s certification on March 30, 2026. It is standard for police officers to lose their certification when they are charged with a felony crime.
Pelrine was ordered to surrender any “agency-issued credentials and equipment that promote and support the performance of functions associated with service as a law enforcement officer, including but not limited to, any uniform, badge, firearm, assigned cruiser, and use-of-force instruments, such as tasers,” per the legal document viewed by Us.
She has also been ordered to hand over her personal guns, ammunition, gun license and Firearms Purchaser Identification Card.
Both Pelrine and Forand are scheduled to appear in court on June 8 for a probable cause hearing. The investigation remains ongoing.
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