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

The second of the two local day care teachers accused of endangering the welfare of a child was arraigned in Southampton Town Justice Court on Wednesday morning.

Sarah Dawber, 23, of Patchogue, pleaded not guilty to the charge, according to her lawyer Anthony Rutkowski, of the Southampton firm Astarita and Associates.

Dawber, along with Kathleen Culver, 33, of Southampton, both teachers who worked in the infant room tending to children ranging from 4-18 months old at Side by Side Child Care Center, were arrested by Southampton Town detectives during an on-site visit on August 28.

On several occasions the teachers 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.

Dawber is denying all charges, despite the fact that she admitted to certain allegations made against her in a statement to police.

However, in court on Wednesday Dawber was issued a confidential order of protection.

Rutkowski says they are still waiting to see where the allegations came from and whether there is any actual physical evidence other that the statement given.

“We just want to resolve the issue,” he said. “We don’t want her to be convicted or go to jail.”

Dawber is due back in court on Nov. 9.

Culver was arraigned on Monday, represented by attorney Melissa Aguanno of the law offices of Melissa Aguanno.

She also pleaded not guilty to the charge.

“She has the support of many parents and former clients after working [at the day care] for 13 years,” Aguanno said. “We believe in her innocence and she looks forward to proving that in court.”

Culver was also issued a confidential order of protection and is also scheduled to return to court on Nov. 9 for conference purposes, according to Aguanno.