The estranged husband of missing Connecticut mother Jennifer Dulos, has been ordered to to stay away from his five children, currently living in with their maternal grandmother, as the investigation into Jennifer’s disappearance continues.
FOX News reports that Judge Donna Heller ordered 51-year-old Fotis Dulos, to have zero contact with his children, who range in age from 8 to 13. The children are currently living with their maternal grandmother in New York.
Fotis is currently behind bars at the Bridgeport Correctional Center, on charges of tampering with evidence in connection with his estranged wife’s disappearance. His 44-year-old girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, 44, was arrested on the same charge but has since bailed out of jail.
“Access to the children is hereby suspended,” the court order read. “There shall be no contact between the defendant and the minor children until further order of the court.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, while obtaining DNA from Dulos , authorities found security footage of him in a Hartford neighborhood shortly after Jennifer disappeared. Police said the man made 30 stops at Hartford-area trash bins, where he disposed of incriminating evidence.
Police also announced that the case is being treated as a criminal investigation.
“The criminal investigation into this case is continuing and it does involve securing search warrants,” New Canaan Police Lt. Jason Ferraro said. “No comment at this time will be offered on details relating to locations of search warrants or details of what items are listed on the search warrants.”
Dulos Affidavit by on Scribd
Previous searches focused on the New Canaan community where Jennifer was last seen. Authorities reportedly found blood inside Jennifer’s home the day she vanished.
Other evidence and information authorities found in relation to Jennifer’s disappearance are, according to an arrest affidavit,
- Bags of blood-stained clothing and sponges
- Stains of blood on Jennifer’s garage floor
- Blood spatter in numerous areas of Jennifer’s home
- Obvious attempts to clean up the scene
- Altered Connecticut license plates that belonged to Dulos
- Security footage of Dulos driving his Ford pickup to various locations, dropping trash bags into different public trash receptacles
- Security footage of Troconis “leaning out of the passenger seat of the Ford pickup and either placing something on the ground or picking up an item”
Jennifer also missed several appointments Friday, including one at 11 a.m. and one at 1 p.m. Since she vanished, she has not used her cellphone or her credit cards.
Search dogs and search teams scoured through wooded areas by Jennifer’s home last week, as well as a 300-acre park, bodies of water and a cornfield.
As the search continues to unfold, court documents obtained by the Stamford Advocate shed light on the lengthy and tumultuous child custody battle between Jennifer and her husband
“I am afraid of my husband,” Jennifer said, according to court documents. “I know that filing for divorce and filing this motion will enrage him. I know he will retaliate by trying to harm me in some way.”
“During the course of our marriage, he told me about sickening revenge fantasies and plans to cause physical harm to others who have wronged him. I am afraid for my safety and the physical safety and emotional well-being of our minor children…..I believe him to be highly capable and vengeful enough to take the children and disappear.”
The pair share five children together, who are now between the ages of 8 and 13. According to court documents, Jennifer said her husband was “obsessed” with water skiing and tried to get their children involved in the sport as well.
Fotis reportedly insisted that their children become “world-class skiers” and would train them for 11 hours per day, which Jennifer considered excessive and dangerous for the kids.
When one of the children wanted a break from training, Fotis Dubos allegedly broke a ski on a rock in a fit of rage. Another child, according to court documents, developed mental health issues from alleged the intense, severe training.
“We are all terrified to disobey my husband,” Jennifer wrote.
Fotis Dubos, according to his lawyer, denies the allegations. He reportedly claimed that his children had their own choice and he never forced them to ski.
Jennifer also claimed that her husband bought a handgun, and she feared what he was capable of doing with it, given his “controlling, volatile, and delusional behavior.” Fotis Dubos later handed the gun over to police upon request.
Jennifer filed for divorce in 2017, after 13 years of marriage. Prior to the divorce, the family lived in Farmington with Fotis, but Jennifer took the children and moved to a New Canaan rental home. The home is situated in an area that was once was called “one of the nation’s wealthiest communities,” according to CNN Money.
Since Jennifer’s disappearance, all five children have been staying with her mother in New York. An armed guard watches over the kids at all times, according to to Fotis’ lawyer, Michael J. Rose. The attorney recently filed a request asking a judge to allow Fotis Dubos to see his children. It’s unclear whether a judge has yet ruled on the motion.
Court records also indicate that Jennifer’s family sued Fotis, claiming that the man owes them more than $2.5 million.
Prior to his death, Hilliard Farber loaned Fotis money to buy properties. Fortis would then construct high-end homes through his company. Once Fortis sold the homes, he would repay his father-in-law, but according to Farber, Fortis stopped making payments.
Fotis Dubos has not made public comment since his wife’s disappearance. According to court documents, however, he claimed Jennifer was the one who made threats toward him, the Hartford Courant reports.
“Í can have the mafia break your dad’s legs with a baseball bat,” the man claimed his wife said, according to court records.
Jennifer’s family released a statement indicating that Jennifer would have never left her children voluntarily.
“Those who know Jennifer know her to be a devoted mother; an extremely thoughtful, reliable, and organized woman; and attest that she would never, ever, disappear when she is responsible for the lives of five loving and energetic children…….Jennifer is 50 years of age, very slender, 5’7”, with a soft voice, dark brown eyes, and shoulder-length brown hair.”
Anyone with information regarding Jennifer’s disappearance is urged to call the New Canaan Police Tip Line at 203-594-3544.
[Feature Photo: Fotis Dulos, Michelle Troconis/New Canaan PD]
