Barrow County deputies last week arrested the husband of a home day care operator, charging him with molesting children at his wife’s state-licensed preschool program.
And the state agency responsible for licensing such programs has ordered that the day care center be closed.
Richard Paltrineri, 64, of Auburn, was charged Friday with multiple counts of child molestation, sexual battery and cruelty to children, as well as one count of aggravated sodomy and one count of aggravated child molestation, Barrow sheriff’s Capt. Matt Guthas said Thursday in an emailed statement.
Guthas said Paltrineri's wife, Susan Paltrineri, operates SusanSilly Expressions Preschool Program on Elliot's Lane in Auburn.
“The investigation began the morning of Paltrineri’s arrest, when a child who attended the day care made a disclosure to its parents,” Guthas said.
Deputies executed a search warrant at the home day care facility late Friday evening, confiscating lists of children who formerly attended the facility.
“Over the weekend, sheriff’s investigators also spoke with family members of known victims,” Guthas said, adding that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.
“There have been multiple children identified as victims at this point,” he said. “Their ages range from 2 to 5 years old, and include both boys and girls.”
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning on Tuesday issued an order for emergency closure of the day care facility, department spokesman Reg Griffin said Thursday.
Griffin said the agency issues such orders “when it is determined that the health, safety or welfare of children may be in imminent danger.”
The day care’s operator has until 4:30 p.m. to appeal the order to close, he said.
Sheriff’s investigators are asking anyone with information about Paltrineri to contact the agency at crimetips@barrowsheriff.com or 770-307-3080, ext. 3085.
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