Estranged husband's DNA found at missing Connecticut mother's home: Prosecutor

DNA belonging to the the estranged husband of a missing Connecticut mom was found mingled with her blood in her home, a prosecutor revealed Tuesday during a court hearing in which the husband and his girlfriend pleaded not guilty to charges of evidence tampering and hindering prosecution.

Fotis Dulos, 51, was arrested with his girlfriend Michelle Troconis on June 1, more than a week after Jennifer Dulos, 51, disappeared.

New Canaan police said they found blood at Jennifer's house along with "evidence of attempts to clean the crime scene." Investigators also found her blood on items Fotis was seen on surveillance video stashing into garbage cans in Hartford with Troconis on the day Jennifer vanished.

In an effort to have Fotis' bond of $500,000 increased, a prosecutor revealed that Fotis' DNA was found mixed with a solution and Jennifer's blood on a faucet in her kitchen sink.

Fotis' lawyer, Norm Pattis, had earlier asked that Fotis' bond be lowered to $100,000, arguing that his whereabouts on the day Jennifer went missing could mostly be accounted for, and that there was "no evidence he was at the home."

After the prosecutor shared the new evidence of Fotis' DNA at the home, Pattis said that his client had been there days earlier to visit with his children.

"How long is my client going to sit in a jail cell unable to assist in his defense," Pattis asked.

The judge denied any reduction or increase in bond.

Pattis also asked if Fotis' 401K retirement account could be used for bond, without actually withdrawing the funds. The judge denied the request.

Troconis posted her $500,000 bond shortly after she was arrested and has since spoken with investigators. She is due back in court on July 18, while Fotis is due back in court on Aug. 2.

Pattis asked Tuesday if Fotis' trial could begin next month, arguing that prolonged media attention might prevent him from getting a fair trial.

"We're ready," Pattis said. The judge denied his request.

On Monday, New Canaan police launched a website specifically dedicated to sharing and obtaining information about Jennifer's disappearance. "We will not rest until we find Jennifer, said Chief of Police Leon Krolikowski.

Police have focused their search efforts on a waste-to-energy plant in Hartford and properties Fotis, a real estate developer, owned.

Last week, police appealed to New Canaan residents to turn over private surveillance video taken from homes and businesses between May 22 and May 25. Police said Monday that 75 people have responded with footage, and that authorities have received another 310 tips regarding Jennifer's disappearance.

The mother of five had filed for divorce from Fotis in 2017, and the pair has been embroiled in a contentious divorce and child custody case for the past two years. They had been married since 2004.

"I am afraid of my husband. I know that filing for divorce, and filing this motion will enrage him. I know he will retaliate by trying to harm me in some way," Jennifer wrote in her application for custody in 2017.

The children, ages 8 to 13, including two sets of twins, are with Jennifer's mother in New York City.