Boys and Girls Club Staffer Charged With Assaults on Children

A staff member was charged Friday with assaulting children at the Boys and Girls Club in Dudley, Massachusetts.

Police confirmed a 33-year-old man from Southbridge is facing six counts of assault and battery on a child, as well as a charge of disturbing the peace.

The Dudley Police Department would not identify the suspect, who is accused of pulling girls' hair and clothing, and kissing some on the cheeks.

The incidents took place while the man was working, police said, adding each one is thought to have happened in the cafeteria.

The investigation began Tuesday. That day, a 12-year-old girl called her grandmother. Stacey Lundy-Teixeira was shocked at what she heard.

Her granddaughter says the staff member, smelling of alcohol, walked up to her.

"He pulled her hair, told her he was going to smack the braces off her face," Lundy-Teixeira said.

The girl went on, telling her grandmother the staff member also told several children, aged 6 and 7, they had to give him a hug and a kiss if they wanted a cookie.

"My heart breaks for all the children that have been there," Lundy-Teixeira said.

The Boys and Girls Club confirmed Thursday it had fired the staffer and called Dudley Police.

At a future date, likely in October, the suspect will face a cause hearing. If sufficient cause is found, he will be arraigned. Police said his identity would be made public at that point.

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