Prosecution: The state calls Lauren Almeida.
(Sworn in)
Prosecution: How old are you?
LA: 32.
Prosecution: Who do you live with?
LA: The Dulos kids.
Prosecution: Did you graduate high school? Uni?
LA: Yes. Studied psychology.
Prosecution: You mentioned you live with the Dulos Children. Did you know Jennifer Dulos?
LA: Yes.
Prosecution: When did you last speak to Jennifer Dulos?
LA: May 24, 2019.
Prosecution: Did you know Fotis Dulos?
LA: Yes.
Prosecution: How did you know Jennifer & Fotis Dulos?
LA: I nannied for them. Starting in Sept 2012.
Prosecution: Were they married?
LA: Yes.
Prosecution: When you met them, where did they live?
LA: 4 Jefferson Xing.
Prosecution: Where was Fotis Dulos from?
LA: He was originally from Greece.
Prosecution: Did he speak with an accent?
LA: Uh, yes.
Prosecution: Where was Jennifer Dulos originally from?
LA: New York.
Prosecution: How many children did they have?
LA: 5.
Prosecution: What are their names?
LA: (give names; 3 boys, 2 girls) Petros, Theodore, Christiane, Constantine & Noel.
Prosecution: Ages?
LA: 17, 15, 13. Two sets of twins.
Prosecution: When you met them, what were their ages?
LA: 1, 4 & 6.
Prosecution: How did you meet Jennifer & Fotis?
LA: I worked at a daycare center. Someone I knew outside the daycare told me that she needed help. Someone who worked for Jennifer & Fotis introduced myself & my sister.
Prosecution: How often did you work for them?
LA: It was usually a Saturday or Sunday & I would work more & more for them. Hours varied. Usually early morning, like 6am. And then until like 9 or 10.
Prosecution: What activities did you do?
LA: Puzzles, magnitles, games, dress up, waterskiing.
Prosecution: What did Mr. Dulos do?
LA: Construction. He built luxury homes. The Fore Group. His office was above the garage.
Prosecution: What did Jennifer do?
LA: She was a writer.
Prosecution: Were they ever home when you were babysitting?
LA: Yes.
Prosecution: How often?
LA: Most of the time.
Prosecution: What was the dynamic?
LA: I don’t know. I tried not to judge. It seemed like he was gone a lot sometimes but things seemed good. At that time.
- (Jennifer offered a full time position when she graduated from uni.)*
Prosecution: Did you become the sole babysitter?
LA: I was the main one.
Prosecution: How often were you working?
LA: Monday - Saturday.
Prosecution: What was a typical work day?
LA: The younger ones, like helping feed them, helping Jennifer, playing with them, taking them outside, giving them bath, helping with dinner, things like that.
Prosecution: Have you been on vacation with them?
LA: Yes. St Barths, Florida, Greece a few times, Virginia once with Fotis, Colorado…
Prosecution: Did both Jennifer & Fotis attend these vacations?
LA: Not all of them.
Prosecution: Who did not attend?
LA: Jennifer.
Prosecution: What was the relationship like between Mr Dulos and the children?
LA: They didn’t get a lot of time with their dad when they were younger. They did whatever he asked them to do.
He often traveled without the family.
Prosecution: Dynamic between Jennifer & the children?
LA: Silly. She was so soft spoken, never got angry, she was incredibly nurturing them. They always wanted to be next to mommy.
Bounce houses, pumpkin picking, draw with them, do puzzles with them, Christmas was a big deal…
Prosecution: Did Jennifer waterski?
LA: No.
Prosecution: But the children like to waterski?
LA: They waterskied.
Prosecution: But did they like it?
LA: They did it a lot, they didn’t always like it.
Prosecution: Did you eventually become friends with Jennifer?
LA: Yes.
Prosecution: You met her family?
LA: Yes, I’ve met her family; her father, mother, sister, her cousins.
Prosecution: How old is Gloria?
LA: I think she’s 89. I don’t want to get it wrong! She’s great.
Prosecution: Did Jennifer ever say Fotis wasn’t paying enough attention to her?
Defence: Objection!
Judge: Sustained.
Prosecution: Did Jennifer ever express to you that she was tired of arguing with Fotis?
LA: Yes. She felt he was harsh & she thought arguing with him was pointless & she hated conflict.
Prosecution: Did you eventually work at the Fore Group?
LA: Yes. It was like half Fore Group & half being a nanny.
Prosecution: What did you do at fore group?
LA: Office work. Follow him to work sites. I became in charge of the punch list & making sure that got done.
Prosecution: What did you think of Fotis Dulos at that time?
LA: I saw him as a role model & mentor. I considered him a friend.
Prosecution: Did he encourage you to go back to school?
LA: Yes. Construction management & he encouraged me to get my real estate license.
Prosecution: Would it be fair to say he kept his mobile with him at all times when you were at fire group?
LA: Yes.
Prosecution: Did Jennifer ever express how she wanted you to handle the children during the summer?
LA: The kids wouldn’t be in school so I would be with the kids full time.
Prosecution: How did the dynamic change?
LA: In March of 2017, Jennifer found out about his affair. A few months after that it totally changed.
Prosecution: A few months after that did you go on a trip with the Dulos family?
LA: Yes. The first week was Colorado & then we flew to Miami. They got 2 weeks off in March. It was me, Jennifer, Fotis, 5 kids, Fotis’ friend. How old was Noel? 6.
Prosecution: Did Mr Dulos say you would be taking the children to an adult day club?
LA: Yes.
Prosecution: Who was there?
LA: Me & Jennifer. We were horrified.
Prosecution: Who went to Miami?
LA: Me, Jennifer, Fotis, 5 kids & Gloria, Jennifer’s mum met us there. We initially stayed at the W.
Prosecution: What activity did you do?
LA: Waterskiing. Miami ski club. Sometimes Noelle would stay back with Jennifer. I would go with the other 4 kids & Fotis would go.
Prosecution: What did she tell you about the relationship?
Defense: Objection!
Judge: that question is very broad. Sustained, but you can pursue the line.
Prosecution: What did Jennifer say to you about the affair in Miami?
LA: She believed Fotis was having an affair. I didn’t really believe her at first. I had a good relationship with Fotis & I thought him to be an honest, honourable guy & I just couldn’t believe he would do that with 5 little kids.
Prosecution: What did you say?
LA: I told her I don’t think that’s true.
Prosecution: What was her demeanour?
LA: Anxious. Upset.
Prosecution: Was anyone else present?
LA: Yes. Her mum, Gloria.
Prosecution: During this trip did you meet Michelle Traconis?
LA: Yes.
(Identifies Michelle.)
Judge concludes for the day. Questioning will be more significant than just identification. Resume tomorrow at 10:00am.
Cont…