Breaking news on Jay Baldwin case...
Ansonia man faces suits in wake of cat abuse case
By Lauren Garrison, Register Staff
ANSONIA — Jay Baldwin, the city man accused of abusing kittens, has been released from prison and is participating in a treatment program for people with psychiatric disabilities, but his legal troubles are not yet over.
Both Baldwin’s former landlord and the woman who adopted out kittens to him plan to file small claims lawsuits against Baldwin to recoup expenses they say he caused them.
Irene Hudobenko of Ansonia paid out of her own pocket for an autopsy, testing and cremation for My Little Boy, the kitten she allowed Baldwin to adopt who later died in his care. She is seeking between $700 and $800 in repayment from Baldwin to cover these expenses.
Hudobenko said she decided not to seek relief from the emotional pain Baldwin caused her or lost wages from the time she spent attending all his court appearances for the criminal case.
JoAnne Martino of Shelton, who rented out an Ansonia apartment to Baldwin prior to his arrest in August, is also looking to recoup losses she claims Baldwin caused.
Martino is still tallying up the bills, but said she expects to seek between $4,000 and $5,000.
When Martino went to survey the apartment Baldwin vacated, “It was like walking into a disaster area. It was like wall to wall, ceiling to floor debris,” she said. She described how the clothing, canned goods, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners and refrigerators Baldwin hoarded filled the apartment, leaving little room to walk. One bedroom was so packed full of stuff, she could barely open the door.
Martino had to pay to clear out all the stuff Baldwin had left behind. She also had to pay to repaint the walls, replace the carpet and bring in an exterminator to get rid of the fleas infesting the apartment. Martino said the paint and carpeting had been brand new when Baldwin moved into the apartment.
Baldwin also owes Martino four months of rent, totalling almost $2,500. She also aims to recoup the attorneys fees she paid when trying to evict Baldwin from the apartment.
The maximum amount one can sue for in a small claims lawsuit is $5,000, according to the clerk at Superior Court in Derby.
Martino said she realizes Baldwin doesn’t have much money saved, but said he receives a disability check, free housing and services, and is able to work.
“I don’t care if he has to pay me $5 a week forever, I’m not going to let him get away with what he did,” she said.
At this point, the only thing stopping Hudobenko and Martino from serving their lawsuits is that they can’t find Baldwin. The treatment program Baldwin is participating in requires him to be supervised by a probation officer, an employee of the state Department of Developmental Services and staff from Birmingham Group Health Services. Hudobenko said she called Birmingham, which said it has no record of Baldwin.
Birmingham was closed Friday and a representative couldn’t be reached for comment.
Hudobenko has also attempted to contact the victim’s advocate at Superior Court and the prosecutor who handled the criminal case against Baldwin to find out where to serve the lawsuit.
“I know that they can’t tell me where he lives ... but where do I send the forms? It’s an easy thing, just let me know,” she said.
