Statement by MA Migrant Shelter Whistleblower Jon Fetherston on Guilty Plea by Shelter Resident Who Raped Daughter

7.17.25

BOSTON, MA — The Massachusetts Republican Party issued a statement by Jon Fetherston, a former shelter director who came forward with the true story of a migrant father who allegedly raped and impregnated his teenage daughter in a facility set up by the administration of Governor Maura Healey.

“The horrors I witnessed in the Massachusetts migrant shelter system two years ago are finally being acknowledged with today’s plea. But justice is far from served. The migrants and Massachusetts residents who were terrorized by this predator—and others like him—will live with the consequences for the rest of their lives,” said Fetherston.

“This is the result of a catastrophic failure by our state government to protect the vulnerable. Governor Maura Healey owes the people of Massachusetts full transparency. She must come clean about how many of these incidents have occurred on her watch—including any still happening today within the taxpayer-funded HomeBASE program.”

BACKGROUND:

On Thursday a 44-year-old migrant pleaded guilty to repeatedly raping his own daughter while staying at a state-run shelter in Marlborough, MA. He faces between 12 and 15 years in prison. (Boston Herald, 7/17/25)

Last month, Fetherston sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into state-run migrant shelter systems like those in Massachusetts. (MassGOP, 6/24/25)