Convicted Predator Allowed to Work at Group Home, Rapes Teen

Oversight failures led to a convicted criminal being hired to supervise vulnerable youth, resulting in sexual assault

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:41am

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A 34-year-old man named Xavier Cruz, who had a long criminal history including assault, battery, and larceny, was hired as an overnight supervisor at a group home in Springfield, Massachusetts despite a court order barring him from working with vulnerable populations. During his time at the group home, Cruz groomed and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old resident, leading to his conviction and a 13-15 year prison sentence. The case has highlighted major failures in the state's background check and licensing systems that allowed Cruz to be hired in the first place.

Why it matters

This case exposes serious flaws in Massachusetts' systems for vetting and approving individuals to work with vulnerable youth in group homes and other care facilities. It raises questions about the oversight and accountability of these facilities, as well as the state agencies responsible for licensing and monitoring them. The victim's trauma underscores the devastating human cost when these systems break down.

The details

In 2020, Xavier Cruz was convicted of stealing from an elderly woman and ordered by the court to refrain from any employment involving elders or people with disabilities. However, the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) still approved Cruz to work as an overnight supervisor at the Greylock group home, a Department of Children and Families-affiliated facility. It was during this time that Cruz groomed and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old resident who was in state custody. Prosecutors say Cruz enjoyed the attention he received from vulnerable girls at the home and even bragged about some having crushes on him. The group home has since been shut down due to a string of abuse, neglect, and safety violations.

  • In 2020, Xavier Cruz was convicted of stealing from an elderly woman and ordered by the court to refrain from any employment involving elders or people with disabilities.
  • Despite this court order, the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) approved Cruz to work as an overnight supervisor at the Greylock group home in 2021.
  • During his time at the Greylock group home in 2021, Cruz groomed and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old resident.

The players

Xavier Cruz

A 34-year-old man with a long criminal history spanning over two decades, including assault, battery, and larceny. Despite a 2020 court order barring him from working with vulnerable populations, he was hired as an overnight supervisor at a group home where he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old resident.

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)

The state agency responsible for licensing and approving individuals to work in care facilities, including group homes. Despite Cruz's criminal history and court order, the EEC approved him to work at the Greylock group home.

Greylock Group Home

A Department of Children and Families-affiliated group home in Springfield, Massachusetts that was shut down due to a string of abuse, neglect, and safety violations, including the sexual assault committed by Xavier Cruz.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge crisis that's going on across the whole state.”

— Erica Brody, Attorney representing the victim's family

“It truly boggles the mind that Xavier Cruz was hired by Greylock and licensed by EEC.”

— Erica Brody, Attorney representing the victim's family

“You have a person who was on Superior Court probation. He was ordered not to work with disabled people and he was hired to work in a group home with disabled children.”

— Erica Brody, Attorney representing the victim's family

What’s next

Prosecutors and the victim's family are seeking to hold both the Greylock group home and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care responsible for the oversight failures that allowed Cruz to be hired and work with vulnerable children.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for stronger background check requirements, oversight, and accountability measures to prevent convicted criminals from gaining access to vulnerable populations in group homes and other care facilities. The devastating impact on the victim underscores the human toll when these systems break down.