The former Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, day care employee who is now facing child exploitation charges in a sex abuse image case will remain behind bars for now, delaying a possible release from custody on Friday.
Lindsay Groves was due in federal court for a hearing Friday afternoon. She faces multiple federal charges alleging that she took photos of young children naked in a private bathroom in her care at Creative Minds daycare facility in Tyngsboro, and allegedly sent them to co-defendant Stacie Laughton for Laughton’s sexual gratification.
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The federal court held a detention hearing on the matter back on July 13 – and last week, Judge Donald Cabell ordered that Groves be released, pending trial.
But Friday, Judge Dennis Saylor decided more time was needed to look at the release agreement.
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In his order, Cabell said that he believed the established conditions of Groves’ release will reasonably assure the safety of the community.
Those conditions include: living with her parents under home confinement in Hudson, New Hampshire, electronic monitoring, no contact with children under 18, no access to an iPhone or other devices, and an order to stay away from Creative Minds and all those associated with the day care facility.
The government is fighting the order, and filed a motion that it intends to appeal the judge’s ruling. Prosecutors have asked the judge to not release Groves until they’re able to obtain a transcript of the July hearing and file their appeal.
Ted Patenaude, whose daughter was just 4 years old when she was abused, expressed disbelief before the court appearance.
"I can't even believe that we're here," he said. "I can't believe they're considering letting this person walk out on the street."
Patenaude and his wife are relieved that didn't happen.
"We were delivering our kids to her to protect and watch, and this is what she did," he said. "They're thinking of letting her out? Give me a [expletive] break, excuse my language."
Charges against Groves include sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography. Laughton is also facing charges of distributing child sexual abuse images.
NBC10 Boston legal analyst Michael Coyne noted that bail "is not designed to punish someone prior to trial because there is a presumption of innocence," and that the conditions of release that the judge imposed are meant to ensure "that the community is no longer in danger."
Attorneys for Creative Minds Early Education previously issued a statement to NBC10 Boston:
Creative Minds Early Education is cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure a complete and extensive investigation into the allegations regarding a single former staff member," the statement said. "We want to ensure our families that their children's safety and provacy [sic] is one of the utmost importance. We will make every effort to support all of our families during this difficult time. We are requesting that members of the media please respect our privacy as well as the provacy [sic] of our families.
A family of one of the alleged victims has filed a lawsuit against the day care, claiming negligence.
Anyone with questions or concerns about the investigation can contact authorities at 617-748-3274.
