Three Charged in Plattsburgh YMCA Daycare Abuse Investigation
State Police say toddlers were physically abused while employees who knew about the alleged conduct failed to report it.
Three former employees face criminal charges following a Plattsburgh daycare abuse investigation involving children as young as 1 year old, according to the New York State Police.
The investigation centers on the Plattsburgh YMCA’s Bright Beginnings Childcare Center on Northern Avenue in the town of Plattsburgh. Police allege that multiple children between the ages of 1 and 2 were physically abused at the facility.
Authorities also allege that employees knew about the abuse but failed to report it as required by law.
All charges are accusations. The three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Police outline allegations against three former employees
New York State Police said they learned of a possible child abuse incident at approximately 5:05 p.m. on March 9.
Investigators allege that the abuse occurred between Jan. 12 and March 5. The investigation was conducted with assistance from Clinton County Child Protective Services and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the July 28 State Police release, the following people were charged:
Dillon M. Bronson
Dillon M. Bronson, 21, of Plattsburgh, faces:
- Two counts of third-degree assault
- Two counts of failure to report suspected child abuse
- Eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child
Amanda M. Rizzo
Amanda M. Rizzo, 40, of Plattsburgh, faces:
- Two counts of failure to report suspected child abuse
- Eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child
Autumn E. Stone
Autumn E. Stone, 29, of Plattsburgh, faces:
- Two counts of failure to report suspected child abuse
- Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child
State Police said all three received appearance tickets directing them to appear in Plattsburgh Town Court. The agency described the investigation as ongoing.
District attorney says alleged conduct was recorded
Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie previously told WCAX that the alleged conduct was captured on surveillance video.
Wylie identified Bronson as the employee accused of directly mistreating children. Rizzo and Stone were accused of witnessing alleged abuse and failing to report it.
“Ms. Bronson’s actions were endangering the welfare of these children, and my office and state police are going to hold her accountable for that,” Wylie told the station.
The district attorney said the alleged conduct included grabbing children by their legs and flipping them in what appeared to be a violent manner. Prosecutors charged Bronson with misdemeanors because investigators could not establish physical injuries beyond bruising, Wylie said.
Those claims remain allegations that must be tested through the court process.
Center previously closed after state findings
The criminal case follows earlier regulatory action involving Bright Beginnings.
According to North Country Public Radio, New York temporarily suspended the center’s child care license in March after complaints concerning physical abuse, corporal punishment, inappropriate discipline and delayed reporting were substantiated.
The center closed temporarily, and several employees—including its chief executive officer—were dismissed. An interim chief executive was later appointed.
Bright Beginnings reopened in May on a limited basis for previously enrolled families who still needed child care, NCPR reported.
The YMCA Board of Directors said it had cooperated with law enforcement and outside regulators.
“The Plattsburgh YMCA Board of Directors takes the safety and well-being of everyone who enters our doors extremely seriously, especially when it comes to children in our care,” the board said in a statement reported by NCPR.
The board said it had worked with regulatory agencies to put policies and procedures in place to prevent similar incidents.
Civil lawsuit contains additional allegations
A lawsuit filed by the family of a child who attended Bright Beginnings contains more detailed accusations, but those civil claims have not been proven in court.
The lawsuit alleges that surveillance recordings showed a worker grabbing children by their legs or ankles, forcefully moving them onto sleeping cots and covering them with blankets.
It further alleges that other workers were present but did not report the conduct.
Reports about the lawsuit have suggested that as many as 10 children may have experienced similar treatment. State Police, however, did not provide an exact number of alleged victims in the July 28 release. The agency said only that multiple children between 1 and 2 years old were involved.
That distinction is important: allegations made in a civil complaint should not be presented as established facts unless confirmed by evidence or a court finding.
Why mandated reporting matters
New York designates many professionals who regularly work with children as mandated reporters. That means they may be legally required to report suspected abuse or maltreatment when they have reasonable cause for concern.
The purpose of mandatory reporting is to bring suspected mistreatment to the attention of trained investigators quickly. A report is not a declaration that abuse occurred. It begins a formal review intended to protect children while facts are gathered.
The Plattsburgh case raises two separate questions for investigators and the courts:
- Whether children were physically abused at the center.
- Whether employees who witnessed or knew about the alleged conduct failed to make legally required reports.
Each defendant’s responsibility must be determined individually based on admissible evidence.
Investigation remains open
The State Police release did not disclose whether additional arrests or charges are expected. It said only that the Plattsburgh daycare abuse investigation remains active.
Earlier in July, Wylie told WCAX that additional people were being examined as part of the inquiry. No one should be identified as a suspect or accused of misconduct unless authorities announce formal action supported by evidence.
The case now moves through Plattsburgh Town Court. Future proceedings may provide more information about the evidence, the defendants’ responses and any additional action involving the daycare.
Parents and community members should rely on official updates from State Police, the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office and state child care regulators. As the investigation continues, the rights of the affected children—including their privacy—must remain the highest priority.
