Bars from a prison jail cast a shadow on the floro.
Bars from a prison jail cast a shadow on the floro.

Charlton woman sentenced for rape of foster child

by
October 26, 2025

Charlton, MA – A 52-year-old woman was sentenced to prison for raping a 12-year-old child. The sentencing follows a verdict delivered on September 12, where Heather Wright-Craft was found guilty on two counts of child rape, aggravated by age difference and her role as a mandated reporter.

Wright-Craft received two concurrent prison terms of 10 years to 10 years and 1 day for the aggravated rape convictions. These crimes occurred in 2015 while she was fostering the victim.

Bail was revoked immediately after the jury’s verdict, and Wright-Craft was taken into custody. She was indicted in Worcester Superior Court in March 2018 after her arrest in Dudley District Court in August 2017.

Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. praised the efforts of Assistant District Attorney Thomas Ayres and Victim Witness Advocate Rachel Murphy. He also acknowledged the thorough investigative work done by the Charlton Police Department.

The Chief of the Charlton Police Department, Daniel Dowd, expressed gratitude for the persistent efforts of the District Attorney’s Office.

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