A former so-called house parent has been arrested and charged after being accused by Lower Southampton Township police of having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy under her supervision.
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Cristal Betancourt, 30, Staten Island, New York City, was arraigned by District Judge Daniel Baranoski and held on 10 percent of $1 million bail Tuesday afternoon. She is charged with several counts of institutional sexual assault, corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children, possession of a firearm by a minor, and related offenses.
The investigation by Lower Southampton Township detectives began in January after police in Lancaster County found a photo of Betancourt with the teen holding a Walther PPQ handgun while he was on probation.
The boy resided at a Community Service Foundation (CSF)-managed home for troubled teens in Feasterville where Betancourt lived as part of her job and supervised the boys, authorities said.
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As a house parent, she oversaw the teens’ behavior, structure, and home-visit passes because the boys are considered to be in state custody, authorities said.
Phone records and interviews indicated Betancourt and the teen had a sexual relationship that allegedly occurred at the CSF home between November and December 2024, police said.
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According to the teen’s statement to police, Betancourt bribed him with guns, drugs, and money for sex, and on one occasion held a gun to his head to force him into a sexual act.
The boy also reported that Betancourt claimed in December 2024 that she was pregnant by him and asked him for money to purchase Plan B, police said.
Betancourt admitted to owning two handguns, investigators said, but only one was recovered.
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The missing weapon matched the handgun the teen was photographed holding, police said.
Investigators said Betancourt brought the teen to a gun shop where she had purchased one of her firearms.
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CSF staff told police that Betancourt knew the teen was prohibited from accessing firearms and that house parents were prohibited from having guns.
Staff also noted that she took the teen to Lancaster County without permission, police said.
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Betancourt’s claim that she was with the teen at a Costco when CSF inquired about his whereabouts was contradicted by location data, authorities said.
Police said they also found numerous financial transactions between Betancourt and the teen, which are prohibited under the nonprofit’s policy.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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