Massachusetts Couple Sentenced for 10-Month-Old Foster Son's 'Avoidable' Death

Matthew Tucker and Cassandra Barlow-Tucker failed to seek medical care despite 'obvious signs' the infant was seriously ill.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a medical device or piece of equipment related to the child's illness, with harsh lighting and a stark, gritty aesthetic, conceptually illustrating the serious medical issues the child faced.The tragic death of a 10-month-old foster child exposes the devastating consequences when foster parents fail to seek timely medical care.Springfield Today

A Massachusetts couple, Matthew Tucker and Cassandra Barlow-Tucker, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the preventable death of their 10-month-old foster son, Kristoff Zenopolous. The couple was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and reckless child endangerment after failing to seek medical attention despite clear indications the infant was seriously ill, leading to his death from complications related to a strep infection, bronchopneumonia, and empyema.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of foster parents being attentive to the health and well-being of the children in their care, and the tragic consequences that can occur when obvious signs of illness are ignored. It also raises questions about the oversight and support systems in place for foster families to ensure the safety of vulnerable children.

The details

According to prosecutors, the 10-month-old infant had been suffering from symptoms for several weeks prior to his death, but Tucker and Barlow-Tucker failed to seek medical attention. The couple also allegedly left the child unattended for about 14 hours before finding him unresponsive. Medical experts testified that the child's conditions were typically treatable with timely care.

  • The child died on February 18, 2020.
  • The couple was sentenced on April 3, 2026.

The players

Matthew Tucker

One of the foster parents convicted in the case.

Cassandra Barlow-Tucker

One of the foster parents convicted in the case.

Kristoff Zenopolous

The 10-month-old foster child who died due to the couple's neglect.

Judge Tracy Duncan

The judge who sentenced the couple to prison.

Andrew Covington

The assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“No sentence can undo the loss of this child. This was an avoidable and deeply tragic case. We hope today's outcome brings some measure of justice and a sense of closure to the child's loved ones.”

— Andrew Covington, Assistant District Attorney

“The child should be celebrating his seventh birthday next month. Instead, he died at just ten months old because the defendants, his foster parents, failed to seek medical treatment despite clear and obvious signs that he needed care.”

— Andrew Covington, Assistant District Attorney

What’s next

The judge ordered the sentences to be staggered, with Barlow-Tucker serving her time first, followed by Tucker. Both defendants will also serve probation and are barred from acting as foster parents or caregivers for children.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the critical importance of foster parents being vigilant in monitoring the health and well-being of the children in their care, and the need for stronger oversight and support systems to ensure the safety of vulnerable foster children.