Piccolo Mondo head: Probe
into neglect charges was botched
LEOMINSTER -- The director of an embattled Leominster day-care center is claiming state and local officials have mishandled the investigation into neglect charges at the facility.
Maria Cupo, director of Piccolo Mondo Child Care and Learning Center, contends the state Department of Social Services unfairly denied her a hearing on the neglect charges last week.
A hearing scheduled for last Friday was continued by the state, and Cupo's backers say they are frustrated at the lack of progress in the case.
"Maria was denied a fair hearing," said Mary Jean, advocate from the Worcester Voice, an anti-abuse group that works mainly with victims of clergy sexual abuse and childhood injustice.
Cupo said she subpoenaed 21 parents of children who use the center to testify in her behalf, only to be turned away.
"Our teachers are astute to the point that they would know if any child had any kind of despair," Cupo said. "If a child had been violated in any way, shape or form, verbally or physically, we would know."
Cupo said Thursday she was shocked that General Counsel Virginia Peel had been granted a continuance by hearing officer Ann Dale last week.
"We felt, given the circumstances, that it would be in her best interest to seek further legal advisement before moving forward," DSS spokesperson Michael McCormack said Thursday.
He said the hearing would be rescheduled within 30 days.
Piccolo Mondo first came under fire last June, when former teacher Frank Garcia was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting boys between the ages of 5 and 7 who attended an after-school program at the center.
State-imposed sanctions were removed as part of a Nov. 19 settlement, and Piccolo Mondo is now able to register new students. Garcia is awaiting trial.
Now, Jean and Cupo view the postponement of the fairness hearing as another sign that the state doesn't have a case against her.
Cupo also sent a letter to Leominster Police Chief Peter Roddy, requesting the immediate removal of Det. Richard Gallant, after the detective filed an abuse and neglect report about the center in August.
Roddy said he could not comment on the ongoing Piccolo Mondo investigation, but confirmed he received the letter.
"I immediately looked into it, to see if there was any merit," the chief said. "I have found no wrongdoing on Det. Gallant's part."
As a mandated reporter, Gallant was required to make a report when informed about the allegations of abuse, Roddy said.
"He observed a condition that he was informed needed to be reported to DSS. He did that," Roddy said.
Roddy said he also called the DA's office.
Elizabeth Stammo, Conte's spokesperson, said the office is not investigating Gallant