Kearney Daycare Horror: Two Charged with Child Abuse
Two Daycare Workers Charged with Child Abuse in Nebraska: What Happened?
The Big Picture
Two women who worked at a daycare in Kearney, Nebraska have been arrested and charged with serious crimes. The charges say they hurt children and didn’t tell the police when they knew bad things were happening.
Where: Sonshine World Daycare, inside New Life Church, Kearney, Nebraska
Who’s in charge: Buffalo County Court
When it happened: June and July 2024
Who Are the People Charged?
| Person | Age | Job at Daycare | Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanette Puccini | 50 | Director (the boss) | • 2 counts of child abuse • 2 counts of failure to report child abuse |
| Kasandra Richards | 36 | Staff member | • 2 counts of child abuse • 2 counts of failure to report child abuse • 1 count of false reporting (lying to police) |
What Are They Accused Of?
1. Children Were Hurt
- Date: July 7, 2024
- Victims: Two children, both under 16 years old
- What happened: They were sexually abused while at the daycare
2. The Adults Knew But Didn’t Tell
- As early as June 23 — both women had "reasonable cause" (good reason) to believe the children were being abused
- They did NOT report it to:
- The police, OR
- The child abuse hotline (1-800-652-1999 in Nebraska)
- They failed again on July 7 — even after more abuse happened
3. One Worker Lied to Police
- Date: June 25
- What Richards did: Gave false information to law enforcement
- Why: To slow down or stop the real investigation
What Is "Failure to Report"?
Important Point: Nebraska Law Requires Reporting
In Nebraska, certain adults MUST report child abuse — including daycare workers, teachers, and doctors. This is called being a "mandatory reporter."
- If you suspect a child is being hurt, you must call the hotline or police
- Not reporting is a crime — even if you’re not the one hurting the child
- The hotline is anonymous and open 24/7
What Has the Church/Daycare Done?
Pastor Jeff Baker’s Letter to Parents
Pastor Baker leads New Life Church and chairs the daycare’s board. He wrote to parents saying:
- "The child involved was removed from the program" — but court records say two children were involved
- It’s unclear which child he means, or if the other child is still attending
- The board is doing its own review of:
- How the abuse was found out
- How it was reported (or not reported)
- How it was handled
- Personnel decisions will be made based on the review
- The daycare is NOT closing — they say they’re committed to families
What Happens Next? (Court Dates)
| Person | Next Court Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lanette Puccini | Wednesday at 2:30 PM | Buffalo County Court |
| Kasandra Richards | September 24 at 1:30 PM | Buffalo County Court |
| Richards’ Jury Trial | November 2 at 9:00 AM | A jury will decide if she’s guilty |
Important: These are charges only. In America, everyone is innocent until proven guilty in court.
Timeline of Events
- June 23 — Puccini and Richards first had reason to believe children were being abused
- June 25 — Richards allegedly lied to police
- July 7 — Two children sexually abused at daycare; both women failed to report again
- Later — Charges filed in Buffalo County Court
- Now — Court dates set, daycare board reviewing, parents notified
Summary
- Two daycare workers in Kearney, NE are charged with child abuse
- Two children under 16 were sexually abused at Sonshine World Daycare
- The director (Puccini) and a staff member (Richards) knew about it weeks earlier but didn’t report it
- Richards also lied to police to hurt the investigation
- The church board is reviewing what happened
- The daycare stays open for now
- Court dates are coming up — a jury trial for Richards in November
FAQ
What does "mandatory reporter" mean?
A: Certain jobs (teachers, daycare workers, doctors, nurses) are required by law to report any suspicion of child abuse. If they don’t, they can be charged with a crime.
Can I report child abuse anonymously?
A: Yes! In Nebraska, call 1-800-652-1999. You don’t have to give your name. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What’s the difference between "charged" and "convicted"?
A: Charged = the police/prosecutors say you did it. Convicted = a judge or jury decided you’re guilty after a trial. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Is the other child still at the daycare?
A: We don’t know. The pastor’s letter mentions "the child" (singular) was removed, but court papers say two children were abused. It’s unclear if the second child is still enrolled.
What should I do if I suspect child abuse?
A: Call the hotline immediately: 1-800-652-1999 (Nebraska) or 911 if it’s an emergency. You don’t need proof — just a reasonable suspicion. Better safe than sorry.
If you or someone you know needs help:
Nebraska Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-652-1999
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
Emergency: 911