A father’s fight for custody of his daughter ended in tragedy when he passed away just months after regaining her custody. John Masserio Jr. spent years battling the Connecticut foster care system to reunite with his daughter, Jewelyette. The emotional and legal complexities of their story reflect the broader challenges within the foster care system, raising questions about parental rights and the role of foster families.
In July 2017, while incarcerated at the Carl Robinson Correctional Institution, Masserio received a disciplinary report after attempting to bring a crayon into a supervised visit with his then two-year-old daughter. He expressed to the parole board that he merely wanted to “color and make a memory” with Jewelyette. His concern was that this incident might jeopardize his chances of regaining custody. Masserio was granted parole and released in 2018, during which he donated crayons for other inmates to use during visits with their children.
The following years were marked by a complex legal battle involving Masserio, the Normans—Jewelyette’s foster parents—and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF). The Normans sought to adopt Jewelyette after caring for her since she was two. However, Masserio fought for his parental rights, believing he could provide a stable environment for his daughter.
The case eventually reached the Connecticut Supreme Court, which ruled in 2023 that foster families could serve as legal intervenors in custody cases. This decision significantly impacted Jewelyette’s future, amid ongoing national discussions about the roles of foster parents and biological families in custody matters.
Masserio’s path to reunification was not straightforward. After his release, he worked diligently to demonstrate his commitment to sobriety and parenting. His challenges included a history of substance abuse, with DCF records noting that Jewelyette had been placed in foster care partly due to her parents’ struggles. During his incarceration, Masserio maintained regular contact with Jewelyette, expressing his love and desire to be part of her life.
In 2020, a new team of DCF social workers shifted Jewelyette’s permanency plan towards reunification with her father. This decision ignited a new wave of emotions for the Normans, who felt they had become a stable family for Jewelyette over the years. They filed motions to be included in the proceedings, emphasizing their bond with her.
The tension between the families escalated, with Masserio expressing concern about the Normans’ influence over Jewelyette. He worried that she was being led to believe that he was not her father. In one visit, Jewelyette reportedly told Masserio that she could only have one daddy, a statement that left him heartbroken.
On January 10, 2025, after moving into a new apartment, Masserio faced a health crisis linked to severe flu complications. Tragically, Jewelyette called her foster parents while her father was ill, expressing a desire to return to their home. This incident underscored the emotional turmoil she experienced during the transition from foster care back to her biological father.
Masserio passed away on January 21, 2025, just five months after Jewelyette moved in with him. His death marked a profound loss for the young girl, who had just begun to build a life with him. After his passing, Jewelyette moved in with her aunt, Karleen Masserio-Giarratana, and her family sought legal guardianship to adopt her.
The Connecticut Supreme Court’s ruling in March 2025 recognized the Normans’ right to intervene in custody cases, reflecting ongoing debates about the legal standing of foster families. Despite this ruling, it came too late for Jewelyette and her father, as their time together had been tragically cut short.
Jewelyette’s adoption occurred in June 2025, a bittersweet moment as many who had known Masserio reflected on his unwavering commitment to his daughter. During the adoption ceremony, Jewelyette expressed gratitude for the support she received, acknowledging her father’s love and determination.
This poignant story highlights the complexities of the foster care system, revealing the deep emotional stakes involved in custody battles. As discussions around foster care and parental rights continue, the journey of John Masserio Jr. and Jewelyette serves as a powerful reminder of the need for compassion and understanding within these systems.
