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Mass. daycare co-owner accused of assaulting children in her care
Sandra Downer, 57, pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanors of assault and battery. She’s the co-owner of Lad n Lassie Nursery and Preschool.
A co-owner of a daycare in Natick is facing assault and battery charges related to multiple incidents involving children in her care, officials said.
Sandra Downer, 57, pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanors of assault and battery when she was arraigned in January. According to business records, she is a co-owner of Lad n Lassie Nursery and Preschool on Mill Street in Natick.
Meghan Kelly, a spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney, said the charges stem from “allegedly assaulting two children in October 2024 while working at a childcare location in Natick.”
The Boston Globe reported that Downer is accused of picking up a child by the arm and lifting her two to three feet above the ground before putting her down. In another incident, Downer allegedly picked up a child by the arm before forcefully putting them down.
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The Department of Children and Families confirmed they “received a report and investigated” related to the allegations against Downer at her day care.
Kelly said Downer was ordered to stay away from and have no contact with the victims at her arraignment. She was also ordered to have no employment in a childcare setting.
When reached for comment, Downer’s lawyer Michael O’Shea declined to comment. The co-owner of Lad n Lassie did not respond to a request for comment.
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