Child Rapist Granted Sole Custody Of Toddler Daughter After Raping Stepdaughter, Decision Sparks Outrage

Jesse James Caisse, a registered level-three sex offender, is behind bars yet again.

On Saturday, Caisse was arrested on charges of indecent assault and battery for the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl. Although the girl initially thought she’d be visiting with his young daughter, Caisse reportedly had ulterior motives for inviting her into the home. But, apparently, this isn’t his first time facing charges for a sex crime.

According to Mass Live, Caisse having run-ins with the law is nothing new. In fact, he has an extensive, eight-page criminal background consisting of mostly sex crimes, and he was even charged with two counts of raping a child under the age of 14 after he sexually assaulted his stepdaughter back in 1997. So, with his history as a convicted child rapist, most would probably consider him unfit to be granted sole custody of a baby, especially with the child being a little girl, right? Well, apparently not.

A recent Mass Live report has revealed that a Hampshire County Probate and Family Court judge saw no conflicting issue with granting Caisse sole custody of his biological daughter, who happened to be a toddler at the time of the ruling. So, how did all of this happen?

The publication reports that the court had to choose between a mother, who allegedly suffered repeated drug relapses, and Caisse, a convicted child rapist. Apparently, Judge Gail Perlman, now retired, felt the child would fare better with her father since he’d been in compliance with all of the terms of his probation. The judge made the shocking decision after Caisse had served and completed a ten-year prison sentence and two years of probation for the forcible rape of his stepdaughter. However, sole custody isn’t the only request he’s been granted since the child has been with him.

In 2013, Caisse petitioned the court to be allowed to relocate with his new wife, despite the reluctance of the child’s mother. Judge Linda Fidnick granted that request as well, and documented Caisse’s progress in a case history, defending the court’s custody decision. Although the mother objected, her failure to control her drug habits only made Caisse appear to be a more favorable parent in the eyes of the court.

“Upon release, Mr. Caisse served a probation term of two years. During that time, Mr. Caisse was compliant with all terms of his probation. As part of his probation, Mr. Caisse attended meetings at the Carson Center for sex offenders treatment and support every Friday night,” Judge Fidnick said.

“Mr. Caisse was sent to the program because there was a serious concern he would re-offend. Mr. Caisse continued treatment at the Carson Center after his probation ended on a voluntary basis.”

“Since being released from prison, Mr. Caisse has complied with the terms of his probation and has actively sought to prevent relapse,” Fidnick wrote.

However, his recent arrest says otherwise. Now, he’s facing charges for the rape of yet another young girl. So, many are outraged by the court’s decision to grant him sole custody of a toddler. Although he’d complied with the terms of his probation, some feel he still should not have been allowed to have sole custody of his daughter.

Many readers have also voiced their frustrations regarding the double standards of legal systems and feel the child may have actually fared better with another family member, or in Child Protective Services. While there are no accusations that he harmed his daughter, many insist the chances of her being sexually assaulted are greater given Caisse’s history.

Do you feel Jesse Caisse should have ever been granted sole custody? Do you think a child rapist should ever be allowed to have full custody of a small child? Share your thoughts.

[Image via Mass. Sex Offender Registry Board]