Police investigate allegations of abuse at Greenport daycare | Colombia County

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GREENPORT The Columbia Childrens Center remained open on Friday amid an investigation into allegations of child abuse at Greenport daycare.

The investigation centers on an unidentified employee who no longer shows up for work, said Michael Howard, an attorney for the Columbia Childrens Center.

State Police said on Thursday they were investigating several allegations of child abuse at the 142 Union Turnpike day care center.

The abuse reported was physical, said Aaron Hicks, public information officer for Troop K State Police on Friday.

No arrests were made.

The center took note of the investigation on Friday in a letter sent to the parents of the children in its care.

It is with a heavy heart that we share this update: currently, an investigation is underway into allegations of child abuse at the center. The employee is no longer showing up for work, center manager Nancy H. Smith said in a statement on Friday.

The Center will not take further action in this matter until the investigation is completed, Howard said.

It’s not something we take lightly and know that we are following all protocols around this process, Smith said.

State Police investigators were at the center Thursday afternoon to speak to parents as they picked up their children, Howard said.

There isn’t a specific timeline that the police are looking at, Hicks said. Well, go back as far as the investigation takes us.

The daycare will remain open and the safety of your child, all children, is our priority. We also understand the need for more information. Unfortunately, while an investigation is ongoing, we are unable to share further details at this time, Smith said.

State police seek to speak to parents who are current or former clients of the Center. If anyone has any information, or if your child may have been a victim of abuse at the facility, please call the police at 845-677-7300 and refer to Case # 10439195.

We will continue to follow all protocols and procedures as this process unfolds, Smith said. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Columbia Childrens Center is licensed by the State Office of Child and Family Services. Smith founded the center in 1982.

The center opened in Claverack. He then moved to the old PG Plaza on Fairview Avenue in Greenport. In June 1991, it opened at its current location on Union Turnpike.

The center offers daycare and preschool education for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. Many employees have worked there for more than 20 years, according to the company’s website.

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