Photo: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. – Sydney Forbes, the former Tutor Time assistant teacher charged with assaulting a 3-year-old at the Massapequa day-care center, has pleaded not guilty to assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She was released with an ankle monitor and is due back in court on Friday, Nov. 20. She has not been convicted, and no bail amount has been reported.
Police say Forbes, 21, of Copiague, assaulted the child at the Grand Avenue center on Oct. 5. Prosecutors allege surveillance video shows her chasing the child and then grabbing and squeezing the child’s shoulder, leaving red marks on the arm and shoulder. Prosecutors also say the child later told their mother, “My teacher hurt me.” Those are the prosecution’s allegations, not findings. This follows our earlier report on the charges.
Tutor Time said that when a family raised a concern on Oct. 5, it removed the individual from the classroom the same day and placed her on leave. The company said it cooperated fully with local police, state licensing and Child Protective Services and will keep supporting the investigation. Police are asking anyone whose child may have been a victim to come forward.
Why it matters: the case raises questions for parents about day-care safety and oversight. Still unknown: whether other children were affected, what evidence will be presented at trial, and how the case will be resolved.
Archival photo: the Massapequa Public Library in 2021. It is not the day-care center.
JBizNews Desk | Massapequa, N.Y.
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