Friday, January 17, 2003
By Matthew Bruun
Telegram & Gazette Staff
LEOMINSTER-- The embattled leader of the Piccolo Mondo Child Care
and Learning Center is accusing the state of denying her rights to a hearing on
allegations of neglect.
But the state Department of Social Services said the hearing, which had
been scheduled for last week, was scuttled because owner Maria D. Cupo arrived
without a lawyer.
Mrs. Cupo and her supporters spoke with reporters yesterday about the
months-long investigation of the day care center, which began last summer when a
teacher was arrested on multiple charges of indecent assault and battery.
They blasted the treatment the center has received from the state and
pointed to ongoing support from parents as evidence that Piccolo Mondo is a safe
and nurturing environment for children.
Mrs. Cupo said she and more than 20 supporters went to Boston last Friday
for a scheduled hearing with the DSS on two allegations of abuse and neglect.
But when they got there, she said, the state was not prepared to proceed.
“Maria was denied the fair hearing,” said Mary T. Jean, a legal advocate
with the group Worcester Voice, which has been working with Piccolo Mondo for
several months. Worcester Voice defines its mission as providing a safe haven
for victims of clergy sexual abuse and of childhood injustice.
Ms. Jean said the latest legal snares at DSS are indicative of a
coordinated effort by that agency and the Office of Child Care Services to
harass Mrs. Cupo. Piccolo Mondo backers are also accusing Leominster police of
filing a false report of neglect to bolster their criminal prosecution of the
former teacher.
Representatives of the state agencies and Leominster Police Chief Peter F.
Roddy denied the allegations in separate interviews yesterday afternoon.
The planned hearing Friday was scuttled when Mrs. Cupo arrived without a
lawyer, DSS spokesman Michael S. MacCormack said yesterday.
“We suggested to the director that the hearing be continued because we felt
she should seek legal counsel before moving forward,” he said. Mandated
reporters such as heads of day care centers who do not report child abuse are
liable for criminal penalties under state law.
“There's no false report,” Chief Roddy said yesterday.
Ms. Jean said one of the allegations of neglect was based on a false report
to DSS filed by Leominster police, in which a detective described seeing a child
in an unlicensed area of the center.
Mrs. Cupo said the child was out of the building on a field trip at the
time Officer Richard G. Gallant noted in his report.
Mrs. Cupo and Ms. Jean confronted Chief Roddy on the matter in October.
“Due to my belief that this was a calculated attempt to discredit me, I
will have no other choice but to initiate alternative remedies if no action is
immediately taken,” Mrs. Cupo wrote in a letter to Chief Roddy dated Oct. 23.
Chief Roddy yesterday confirmed that the report was filed by Officer
Gallant, but said it only triggered an investigation by DSS.
He also said that while he could not go into detail on the matter because
it involves an ongoing criminal investigation, he was satisfied with his
officer's handling of the case.
“As soon as the complaint was made we immediately looked into it,” Chief
Roddy said. “It's unfortunate they are casting aspersions on his integrity.”
Mrs. Cupo filed motions last week to dismiss the latest findings of
neglect. Mr. MacCormack said he expected the matter would be continued for 30
days so a hearing may be rescheduled.
Office of Child Care Services spokeswoman Kathryn T. Arsenault said her
agency is still trying to work with the school. She dismissed allegations that
investigators had encouraged police to file the false report.
“The idea is ludicrous, to be honest,” she said. “We have the same goal as
Piccolo Mondo, to provide high-quality child care.”
Ms. Jean said allegations were raised against Mrs. Cupo and the center in
an effort to bolster the criminal case against Frank E. Garcia Jr. of Fitchburg,
the former teacher who has been charged with four counts of indecent assault and
battery.
Mr. Garcia was back in Leominster District Court for a hearing yesterday,
but the case was continued to Feb. 10.
Mrs. Cupo said the children named in the criminal complaints never
exhibited any signs of being abused, but she stopped short of denying any abuse
took place, saying instead she couldn't comment on what she did not witness.
Parents rallied behind Mrs. Cupo once the state stepped in, and their
support has continued.
Yesterday, Bonnie Chesbrough said she would continue to stand by Piccolo
Mondo, where her 5-year-old son, Brent, has thrived for 2.5 years.
“We've all stayed here; we've all loved the center,” she said. “'You can
talk to Maria about anything. She's wonderful. Maria is Piccolo. There's a hole
in the circle when Maria's not there.”
After investigations by DSS and the state Office of Child Care Services,
Mrs. Cupo was ordered to step down as director of the program but was allowed to
continue as owner.
The Office of Child Care services found that lax supervision allowed abuse
to go undetected, and its report said Mrs. Cupo interfered with the
investigation even after she was warned not to do so.
The agency revoked the center's license, but reinstated it on a
probationary status in November after coming to an agreement with Mrs. Cupo.
A replacement director was hired and has since resigned, Mrs. Cupo said,
but a temporary director is now in place.
The school has also hired a consultant to review policies and procedures,
Mrs. Cupo said, and the facility is able to register new children. About 70
children attend Piccolo Mondo. Mrs. Cupo said she has 16 employees.