INVESTIGATION ALLEGATIONS:

Seven (7) 51A's filed against Mr. Garcia, 3 supported allegations.

Four (4) 51's filed against Maria Cupo, all unsupported.

Intake name: Piccolo Mondo DC Leo/ Maria Cupo   (3)

!XXX !XXXX           NEGLECT  

@XXXXX @XXXX       NEGLECT

#XXX #XXXX          NEGLECT 

reported Date: 06/10/02 09:15 Am

screener: Gary A. Trant

DOCUMENT SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING THE REPORTED ALLEGATIONS: (51A report)

Mandated reporter is alleging neglect of three children !xxx Xxxx, #XXX #XXX, and @XXXX @XXXX by the owner of the Piccolo Mondo Daycare, Maria Cupo

Mandated reporter is concerned with ms. Cupo 's handling of recent allegations of sexual abuse by an employee of her Daycare.  Mrs. !XXX the parent of one of the victims informed the reporter that Ms Cupo called he in regards t the allegations made by her son.  Mrs. !XXX's son was alleging sexual assault by Frank Garcia, a Daycare  employee.  Ms Cupo requested  that Mrs. !XXXX and her son come to a meeting at the school with Mr. Garcia        (the alleged perpetrator) and Ms Cupo to discuss the situation. 

Ms Cupo then called the reporter and informed R that  the allegations were "not True".  Ms Cupo further invited XXXXX XXXXX to come to her daycare to interview her other employees who would tell XXXXX that the allegations were not true and the victim was lying.  Ms Cupo questioned the child's reliability.

Ms Cupo spoke with the parents of anther victim an let them to believe that the allegations being made against Mr. Garcia wee not true and that the original complaint was made due to 'past family problem" of the victim.

Ms. @XXXX, the mother of another victim, was extremely upset due to the fact that she was lead to believe the first victim was lying.  the reporter asked her how she go t that impression and she said that Mr. Michael Cupo, husband of the owner, appeared very supportive of Mr. Garcia.  Ms @XXXX was extremely angered at the response of the Daycare owners, given the circumstance known to her now.

The reporter questioned Ms Cupo ability to keep the children safe due to inability to recognize the risk presented by Mr. Garcia.

SEE REASON FOR UNSUPPORTED FINDING BELOW FOR Ms. CUPO

Supervisor Comment: Although at times defensive Ms Cupo was generally cooperative with the investigation. There is no information to suggest that the Daycare Director was neglectful as the Director had no knowledge of her staff's behavior.

Approver:

Scott Schoiefied    Area Program manager    Date: 07/01/02

Laura D Brody       Supervisor                              06/26/02