Former daycare employee pleads not guilty to child abuse charges

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – A former childcare provider accused of abusing toddlers at a Burlington daycare pleaded not guilty Tuesday to child abuse charges. Gary Pasquale, 29, appeared in a Burlington courtroom facing eight total charges, including cruelty to a child and unlawful restraint.

The former site of Frog and Toad Day Care in Burlington is now vacant, and its once-busy playground is empty. The daycare closed after abuse allegations involving the head teacher in the toddler room.

Court paperwork describes Pasquale’s actions as violent and harmful to children.

“It’s really detailed, it’s really disturbing,” said Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George.

According to court records, he assaulted and mistreated multiple children in his care, all between one and two years old. The paperwork alleges his actions were overlooked by leadership because his mother was the daycare director.

The allegations include shaking and throwing kids, tossing them by their limbs, and dragging them face down a snow bank, among others, that left kids with emotional damage. One allegation includes restraining a 2-year-old with his head between his feet for up to six minutes.

In court, Jessica Burke, Pasquale’s lawyer, pushed back on the allegations, arguing that many of the complaints came from a dismissed employee. She claims it’s hard to tell what actually happened in the surveillance footage.

“Other individuals were in the room at various points, and no one seemed to think it was a crime then. So, I’m confused because this seems like a bit of retrospective moral outrage,” Burke said.

George disagrees. “The detectives did a great job, really going through what I imagine was hours of video and describing it in the affidavit in a way that makes you feel like you are watching it,” she said.

Leaving the court, Pasquale declined to comment.

One family whose child is one of the named victims in the report released a statement. Corrine and Jake Clark said, “We are outraged by today’s events in court. Hearing Gary plead not guilty to all counts, despite the harm inflicted on vulnerable children entrusted to his care, was appalling and deeply painful for our family. Our focus remains on supporting our child’s healing and advocating for justice for all of the children and families affected by this case.”

Pasquale was released on conditions and will be back in court next month. The Frog and Toad location in Essex remains open.