A former New Hampshire lawmaker is due to appear in federal court in Boston on Friday as she faces charges of having illegal images of children, who prosecutors say were captured by her ex-partner inside a day care center.
Stacie Laughton, of Nashua, has been indicted by a federal jury on three counts of child sexual exploitation in response to a series of incidents law enforcement says occurred at the Creative Minds daycare center in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. She is a former state representative who had previously been charged in a harassment case, Nashua police confirmed.
Laughton was first arrested in June in the case.
Prosecutors said that between May 2022 and June this year, 38-year-old Lindsey Groves allegedly took nude images of children as young as three during potty breaks before naps. She was an employee at the daycare.
According to police, Groves sent those photos to Laughton. The two used to share an intimate relationship.
The charging documents said Groves’ cell phone allegedly revealed more than 10,000 text messages between her and Laughton that included discussions and transfers of those photos.
Laughton is expected to answer the charges on Friday, of which his mother previously told NBC10 Boson that he is innocent.
Groves will appear in court at a later date. If both are found guilty, they could spend up to 50 years in prison.
A family of one of the alleged victims has filed a lawsuit against the daycare alleging negligence.
Creative Minds Early Education attorneys previously issued a statement to NBC10 Boston:
“Creative Minds Early Education is cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure a full and extensive investigation into the allegations about a single former staff member,” the statement read. “We want to assure our families that the safety and privacy of their children (sic) is of the utmost importance. We will do everything possible to support all of our families during this difficult time. We ask that members of the media respect our privacy, as well as the privacy (sic) of our families”.
Anyone with questions or concerns about this investigation can contact authorities at 617-748-3274.
