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Daycare worker freed after allegedly taking explicit photos of children to share with trans lawmaker

August 14, 2023 | | Print Article

Lindsay Groves, a daycare worker who allegedly gave sexually explicit photos of at least four three-year-olds to the country’s first trans lawmaker, has been released from federal custody.

(Video Credit: WMUR-TV)

Groves, 38, is facing state and federal charges in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts for her actions.

She was allowed to walk free on Friday on the condition she lives with her parents as she awaits her trial on child porn charges. She is also prohibited from having any children under the age of 18 visit her parents’ home and cannot access her iPhone. While under house arrest, her parents’ devices must be password protected and taken out of the house when they aren’t home, according to the Daily Mail.

A hearing is set to be held on Friday for Groves where the conditions of her release will be explained.

The development came about just over a month after Groves and her former partner, 39-year-old Stacie Marie Laughton, were both indicted on three counts each of sexual exploitation of children.

Complaints against Groves at Creative Minds were raised four years ago and nothing was evidently done about it.

She is accused of taking nude photos of four napping children and sending them to Laughton. At that time, Laughton was New Hampshire’s first-ever elected trans lawmaker and has been forced to resign twice – the last time in 2022. He was born a biological male but identifies as a woman.

The photos were reportedly in conjunction with illicit discussions concerning the children and were taken between May 2022 and June 2023.

US Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell conceded on Friday while granting a motion for pretrial release that while “the weight of the evidence against the [Groves] is strong,” he believes the conditions of release will address any “risk” and “reasonably assure the safety of the community.”

Evidence from Groves’ cell phone reportedly shows over 10,000 text messages between her and Laughton. Many are said to be incriminating.

Department of Justice documents allegedly show the two fantasized about sexually assaulting young children that Groves watched over. Both have been charged with distributing child pornography.

“So you would let me f*** the little girls that you work with,” Laughton asked Groves according to the New York Post. “And you’re not screenshot Ing this and possibly use it against me at all like we’re both on the same page we both want to do this and he would let me put my d*** inside those little girls I mean what if my d*** is too big I mean its big but its not that big I think you could fit in there and if it doesn’t fit all the way then I could stop I don’t want to hurt them.”

“If they want your d*** inside them,” Groves answered.

“Would you let the little girls suck my d***?” Laughton asked.

“It’s their choice,” Groves replied.

Prosecutors shared at least one cell phone conversation where Laughton told Groves to fondle a little boy at the daycare. The daycare worker agreed to do so.

Both Groves and Laughton were arrested on June 22, less than six months after Laughton resigned from the New Hampshire House after being charged with stalking Groves. They were indicted together on July 27 on four counts including three of sexual exploitation of children, one of aiding and abetting, and one count of distribution of child pornography. Both pleaded not guilty.

An anonymous tip led to the investigation of Groves and Laughton by the Nashua Police Department.

Laughton, 39, has a long list of previous offenses including identity theft and falsifying evidence. Other charges against Laughton include one for domestic violence/criminal mischief in 2002 and a sexual assault charge against a woman in 2003. He was arrested in 2015 for making a bomb threat against the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center as well and was arrested in 2021 for misusing the state’s 911 texting system.

The transgender Democrat was first elected in 2012 and was forced to resign for the first time due to state laws prohibiting convicted felons from holding office until the final discharge of their sentence.

After resigning, Laughton started serving 10 years probation stemming from a 2008 felony conviction for credit card fraud.

Laughton is blaming his behavior on mental illness and untreated conditions. The investigation into Groves and Laughton is still ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information on the two to come forward.

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