Police: Four Westport Daycare Workers Arrested after Abuse and Neglect Allegations, then Failing to Report it

Contributed photos by Westport Police Department

Westport Police Department arrested four local daycare workers after one staff member reportedly “moved the kids about in an aggressive manner, kicked a ball at some of the babies, and left the children crying for extended periods of time“ according to Police. The other three staff members - all State mandated reporters - were arrested for failure to report the abuse or neglect to the Department of Children and Family Services. No other information has been released.

Westport Police Department:

Suzette Virgo: Risk of Injury to a Child

On June 15, 2021, the Westport Police Detective Bureau began to investigate the possible abuse and/or neglect of infants at a local daycare center.  It was alleged that a teacher in one of the infant classrooms moved the kids about in an aggressive manner, kicked a ball at some of the babies, and left the children crying for extended periods of time.  The teacher in question was identified as Suzette Virgo.  An extensive investigation was conducted and evidence supporting the allegations was purportedly obtained.  A warrant for Ms. Virgo’s arrest was completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

On the afternoon of December 17, 2021, Ms. Virgo turned herself in at the Westport Police Department.  Per the warrant, she was charged with Risk of Injury to a Child.  Ms. Virgo was released after posting a $50,000.00 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on January 5, 2022.

Ayshia Jaeger, Ridhita Gupta, & Kelleigh Cantiello: Failure to Report Neglect or Abuse by a Mandated Reporter

On June 15, 2021, the Westport Police Detective Bureau began to investigate the possible abuse and/or neglect of infants at a local daycare center.  The subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of one of the teachers on a charge of Risk of Injury to a Child.  During the investigation, evidence was purportedly obtained which led the detectives to believe that daycare center staff members Ayshia Jaeger, Ridhita Gupta, and Kelleigh Cantiello were allegedly made aware of the possible abuse/neglect but failed to make a report to the Department of Children and Family Services as is required by law since all three are mandated reporters.  Warrants for their arrests were completed and signed by a Superior Court Judge.

All three women turned themselves in at the Westport Police Department shortly after learning of the arrest warrants.  Per the warrants, each individual was charged  Failure to Report Abuse or Neglect by a Mandated Reporter and was released after posting a $25,000.00 bond.  Ms. Jaeger is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on January 5, 2022.  Ms. Gupta is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on December 30, 2021.  Ms. Cantiello is scheduled to be arraigned at Stamford Superior Court on January 4, 2022.