Day Care Employee Accused of Endangering Welfare of Children Pleads Not Guilty

One of the Southampton day care employees recently accused of endangering the welfare of children, pleaded not guilty at her arraignment at Southampton Town Justice Court on Monday afternoon, according to a report in 27east.

Southampton resident and teacher at Side by Side Child Care Center, Kathleen Culver, 33, was represented by attorney Melissa Aguanno of Edward Burke Jr. and Associates in Sag Harbor, who told Judge Barbara Wilson that Culver “wished to proceed with a jury trial,” according to the report.

Culver is scheduled to return to court on November 9 for conference purposes, according to the report.

During an on-site visit on August 28, Southampton Town detectives arrested Culver and Sarah M. Dawber, 23, of Mastic Beach, both teachers who worked in the infant room tending to children ranging from 4-18 months old, according to police.

On several occasions they force fed, pushed and slammed the children down on the floor, police said.

One 18-month-old child vomited from being force fed, but no other injuries have been reported, according to police.

The day care had their license revoked on Sept. 5 by the State Office of Children and Family Services after they were cited for multiple violations including: ”withholding or using food, rest or sleep as a punishment” and using “methods of discipline, interaction or toilet training which frighten, demean or humiliate a child,” according to OCFS’s website.

Many local mothers have defended the women, who have both worked at the center for years.