Day Care Director Fired, Accused Of Failing To Report Abuse

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (AP) — The director of a Bridgewater State University child care center has been fired amid criminal allegations she failed to report suspected child sexual abuse by a student who worked at the day care.

University officials said Judith Ritacco was fired Friday. The 53-year-old Boylston resident was placed on leave last week after the 21-year-old student was charged with sexually abusing two preschool boys.

Ritacco pleaded not guilty Thursday to endangering a child and other charges. Prosecutors say she was alerted about the abuse allegations by a teacher March 27, but told the teacher to keep quiet about it.

Ritacco's lawyer says his client did report the matter to her superiors and was being made a "scapegoat."

A phone listing for Ritacco couldn't be found Friday.