Former employees arrested following abuse investigation at Bright Beginnings Childcare Center
By Michael Cusanelli
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PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WPTZ) — Three people have been arrested in Plattsburgh in connection with investigations into abuse allegations at the Bright Beginnings Childcare Center.
Those arrested are former employees Dillon Bronson, Autumn Stone and Amanda Rizzo. All three are charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child and failure to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment. Bronson also faces two counts of third-degree assault.
In a statement, the Plattsburgh YMCA Board said they have been cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation.
They said the individuals who were arrested are former staff members. The statement also said that the safety of their community remains a top priority.
Bright Beginnings closed in March following allegations of physical abuse at the daycare.
NBC5 has reached out to Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie for more information and learned that his office is still processing the charges. More details were not immediately available.
Further updates will be provided when we know more.
Parents sue daycare center The lawsuit claims surveillance video captured an assistant teacher on at least three occasions grabbing toddlers by their legs and ankles, forcefully dropping them onto their nap cots before covering them with blankets.
The family’s attorneys allege other daycare employees witnessed the incidents but failed to report the alleged abuse, despite being mandated reporters under New York law.
The lawsuit also accuses YMCA management of failing to properly supervise employees, respond to warning signs, or intervene to stop the alleged abuse after becoming aware of concerns.
According to the complaint, the child’s parents noticed troubling behavioral changes months before learning about the investigation. The lawsuit says their daughter experienced pain while being dressed, began waking up screaming several nights a week, appeared fearful at daycare pickup, and has since been diagnosed with trauma-related psychological injuries.
The complaint further alleges New York State Police determined all 10 children in the classroom experienced similar treatment during the period in question.
The family says they were first informed of their daughter’s alleged abuse during a meeting with daycare management on March 11. Authorities shut down the Bright Beginnings facility the following day.
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