Easthampton man faces child rape charges

@kate_ashworth

EASTHAMPTON — An Easthampton man whose wife runs a licensed family day care in their home faces multiple charges of child rape. The Teddy Bear Daycare and Preschool at 1 Droy Circle is shut down while it is investigated by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).

The alleged victim in the case was not a child under the care of the family day care, according to court records.

Laura LaFoe, who operates the day care, said Monday, “The children have been kept safe. ... They are never left unattended.”

LaFoe said of her husband, Robert LaFoe, who was arraigned Monday, “He’s never around the kids. … He’s never here.”

She said the day care was closed for a week and reopened Monday, but will close again beginning Tuesday until it is told by the EEC that it can reopen for good.

A spokeswoman for EEC said Monday that Teddy Bear Daycare must remain closed while it remains under investigation by the agency.

“EEC will take further action as necessary based on the findings of our investigation,” spokeswoman Kathleen Hart wrote in a statement Monday.

She added in a second email later Monday, “Laura LaFoe’s program is closed and will remain as such pending the outcome of our investigation.”

Laura LaFoe has a state license for a family child care at the home, which the couple has owned since 2003. She has run the day care for 12 years. She is licensed to care for 10 children, and said Monday she currently cares for five. She said she typically cares for children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years.

Robert LaFoe, 49, was arraigned in Northampton District Court on Monday on four counts of rape of a child with force and six counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held on $100,000 bail with several conditions if he is released. His defense attorney, Emily Shallcross, could not be reached for comment Monday.

The charges involve a child who is known to Robert LaFoe, but who was not under the care of the day care center. The alleged sexual assaults occurred over the last two years, according to court records. The Gazette generally does not identify the alleged victims of sexual assaults.

When questioned by Easthampton Police on Friday, LaFoe admitted to raping and inappropriately touching the child, who reported the assaults to police, court records show. LaFoe was then arrested Friday. “In summary, LaFoe confessed to committing multiple counts of indecent A&B on a child under 14 and multiple counts of rape of a child over the last two years,” Detective Nicholas Weidhass III wrote in a police report filed in court.

If released on bail, LaFoe must wear a GPS device, not be employed or volunteer anywhere he would have contact with a child under age 18, and not reside or spend the night anywhere there is a child under the age of 18. He also must remain 100 yards away from Easthampton High School and Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton.

Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.