A local teacher is accused of assaulting several children at a preschool, according to officials who say she pushed kids to the ground and slammed children into tables, chairs and walls.
Hull woman Lilly Garofola, 29, had been working as a teacher at the Little Steps Learning Center in Scituate.
Concerned parents and staff members at the preschool in recent weeks told Scituate Police about Garofola and her potential inappropriate physical conduct with children.
The investigation involving Scituate Police, the Plymouth DA’s office, and DCF found that Garofola allegedly assaulted five children during school hours in April and May.
“The alleged abuse included pushing children to the ground, slamming children into tables and chairs and walls,” the DA’s office said in a statement. “There were also reports of multiple incidents of verbal abuse by Garofola. Most of the incidents were captured on surveillance video.”
Garofola was taken into custody by Scituate Police on Wednesday morning without incident. Garofola was suspended from work at the learning center before she resigned.
“The preschool is cooperating fully with investigators and has taken internal measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its students,” the DA’s office said. “Families with children currently enrolled have been notified and are encouraged to speak with their children and report any concerns.”
Garofola has pleaded not guilty in Hingham District Court to four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and 12 counts of assault and battery.
The DA’s office requested that Garofola be held without bail pending the outcome of a dangerousness hearing. The judge denied the request.
The DA’s office then requested Garofola be held on $50,000 cash bail with conditions that she wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, stay away and have no contact with the children in this case, and that she stay away from all children under the age of 16.
The judge set bail at $1,000 with the condition that she have no contact with children under the age of 16, and have no contact with witnesses in this case.
Investigators are urging parents to contact Scituate Police at 781-545-1212 if they believe that their child may have had inappropriate contact with Garofola, or if they have additional information relevant to this case.
