Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced on Monday, June 27, that a 32-year-old Norwood man, who was the owner of a Norwood daycare center, has been charged with alleged predatory sexual assault against a child, as well as other charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a boy, and for allegedly possessing child pornography.

 

According to the investigation by the NYPD and the prosecution’s case, on May 3, authorities with the U.S. Secret Service and the NYPD conducted a search inside Lina’s Garden Daycare, located at 3525 Decatur Avenue in Norwood, which was owned by the defendant, Silfredo Castillo Martinez, 32, of Decatur Avenue, and seized 30 [electronic] devices.

 

According to the investigation, Castillo Martinez had allegedly downloaded 12 child pornography files to his Google drive. The files included images and videos of boys between the ages of 7 and 12, and one child who was less than a year old. Castillo Martinez was taken into custody that day, as reported at the time by Norwood News. 

 

As investigators continued to examine the files seized, they found among them a photo and video of a child that were allegedly taken inside the defendant’s daycare center. According to the investigation, Castillo Martinez allegedly sexually abused the child, and allegedly forced the boy to preform sexual acts on him multiple times.

 

In the context of the case, Clark said, “The defendant, a daycare owner, was supposed to keep children safe. Instead, he allegedly sexually assaulted a boy in his care. Our crime victims assistance unit has been working with the child and his family, but he has been scarred for life. The defendant was also indicted for allegedly possessing multiple child pornography files on his computer. His alleged actions are despicable and sickening, and he cannot be caring for children in our community.”

 

Clark said Castillo Martinez was arraigned on Monday on two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, two counts of a first degree criminal sexual act, two counts of a second-degree criminal sexual act, first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of use of a child in a sexual performance, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, five counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child, and 12 counts of possessing [footage] of a sexual performance by a child before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. Bail was set at $500,000 cash/$500,000 bond/$500,000, partially secured bond. He is due back in court on September 20.

 

The investigation is ongoing. Officials from the District Attorney’s office said, “Anyone who may have been a victim of the defendant or has information about victims is encouraged to call the NYPD Bronx Child Abuse Squad at (929) 265-3638.”

 

As reported, Norwood News attempted to speak to some of the local residents and parents about Castillo Martinez’s arrest at the time it occurred. Some parents appeared to be initially unaware of his arrest. The center was closed after Castillo Martinez was arrested. According to its website, it remains ‘temporarily closed.” Under the testimonial section of the website, there was one review 3 years ago by “Imtiaz A,” who wrote, “Good place.” Meanwhile, the center’s motto, referenced on its Instagram page, which includes photos of children, reads, “Play and learn with love.”

 

Very little information about the center, including its rates, is available on the website. On the awning over the door of Lina’s Garden Daycare Center, “ACS” (NYC Administration for Children’s Services) was referenced. It was also mentioned that “government vouchers” appeared to be accepted at the center. The center was advertised as a “group family daycare center,” but was also advertised as “private.” Norwood News followed up with ACS to ask what, if any, oversight or involvement ACS had with the center as regards screening, licensing or oversight.

 

It transpired that ACS is not the city agency responsible for licensing or regulating child care programs. We were informed that ACS does provide eligible families with child care vouchers which they can use to enroll their child at any child care location of their choosing which accepts such vouchers.

 

According to an excerpt on ACS’s website, the “EarlyLearn” programs are “now” managed by the NYC Department of Education (DOE). Norwood News followed up with DOE and asked what, if any, oversight or involvement DOE had with regard to Lina’s Garden Daycare Center. A DOE representative replied, saying, “This is not a DOE site.”

 

Asked if DOE could provide details, generally, of its oversight and screening process of daycare centers, the DOE representative replied, saying, “Only if it is a DOE-contracted program. You have to go to DOHMH (NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene) and ACS who have more oversight of this than we do.”

 

We contacted ACS once again for information about their general oversight process of daycare centers. We were at this point also referred to DOHMH. Michael Lanza, a DOHMH representative, referred us to their website for details of their screening process and offered to answer any questions we had. We asked if the agency had overseen or had had any involvement with Lina’s Garden Daycare Center. We will update this story upon receipt of any feedback from the agency.

 

Meanwhile, on DOHMH’s website, an excerpt outlines the process in a statement, which reads, “When deciding where to place your child, you should focus on your family’s specific needs. Be sure to make an informed decision based on the type of program and its performance history.”

 

It continues, “If you are visiting a group child care center, you should review its child care performance summary card (PDF) for information about the program’s staff, size and past violations. The card will be located near the program’s entrance.”

In addition, it reads, “Child care operators looking for information about permitting and regulations should visit our Information for Child Care Operators page. If you are interested in applying for free or low-cost child care, first find out if you are eligible. There are several types of child care programs available in the city, so consider your family’s needs and choose carefully. When searching for a program, be sure to review a facility’s history and its performance record.”

 

Finally, the excerpt concludes, “You can find out about past issues at a facility by using NYC Child Care Connect or the State’s Office of Children and Family Services page. If you think a child care facility may be unsanitary, unsafe or illegal, call 311. If you think a child may be in immediate danger, call 911.”

 

The case is being prosecuted by assistant district attorney, Carissa Caukin, of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, under the supervision of Danielle Pascale and Johanna Hernandez, deputy chiefs of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, and Mimi Mairs, chief of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, and under the overall supervision of Adrienne Giunta, deputy chief of the special victims division, and Joseph Muroff, chief of the special victims division.

Clark thanked assistant district attorney, Rachael Baughman, of the child abuse/sex crimes bureau, and trial preparation assistants, Simone Chin and Elaina Clarke, both of the child abuse sex crimes bureau.

 

She also thanked special agents of the U.S. Secret Service, internet crimes against children task force; Detective Ralfi Hernandez, Detective Anthony Rodriguez and Lieutenant Felix Rivera, of the NYPD computer crimes unit; and Detective Ariel Florentino of the NYPD special victims child squad.

 

A person accused of a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

For additional information on child day care and for similar information in different languages, please see the following:

• Choosing Child Care in New York City (PDF)
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More Information

• Sign up to receive text or email notices about specific child care locations
• Choosing the Right Summer Camp for Your Child
• Group Child Care Programs: Critical Incident Reports
• Healthy Child Care Settings
• Keeping Your Child Healthy