WALLINGFORD, Conn. — A nanny is accused of engaging in lewd activity and having vulgar discussions in front of the three children she was hired to watch over the summer in North Haven. She also brought her boyfriend to the home without permission many times.
Helen Leah Ferriolo, 40, of Wallingford was arrested for the disturbing events that took place while nannying for 8 and 10-year-old sisters, as well as a friend's 10-year-old daughter, from mid-July to August.
According to children and family experts, the incident serves as a warning to parents about vetting a safe childcare provider and communicating with kids.
"Prevention is the best medicine," Yvette Young from the Village for Families & Children said.
A family member called police after the children told them that Ferriolo would bring her boyfriend over and they would have inappropriate conversations and perform sexual actions. The children said Ferriolo made inappropriate hand gestures, discussed sexual activity and innuendo, her private parts and moan in front of the girls, and watched one of the kids change out of a swimsuit and made comments about it, according to the arrest warrant. While her boyfriend was over, he and Ferriolo would touch each other in the pool and bathroom, the arrest warrant states.
The 10-year-old sister was also forced to watch a pornographic video. In an interview with investigators, the child said she closed her eyes for the video and told Ferriolo she did not want to see it. Ferriolo threatened to bring her husband over if she did not watch.
Ferriolo also locked the girls in a closet and pretended there was an intruder in the house "several times," the arrest warrant states.
A witness who spoke to Ferriolo on the phone about the children's accusations told investigators that Ferriolo at first said the kids were the ones making the lewd statements, but later said "I probably shouldn't have said what I said" and apologized several times.
Ferriolo was arrested and charged with four counts of risk of injury/impairing morals of minors, three counts of unlawful restraint and sexual assault in the fourth degree. She is expected in court on Oct. 3.
The Department of Children and Families assisted with the investigation.
Following the incident, Young emphasized the importance of communication with kids to keep them safe.
"Make it age appropriate, but have the conversation because if you don't give them knowledge then they won't know how to protect themselves," Young said.
She said that inappropriate conduct often begins with a subtle grooming process that kids can recognize before it's too late.
"At the end of the day, it comes down to if something happens to you that doesn't feel good or makes you feel uncomfortable, then you need to tell a safe adult what happened," Young said.
Beth Bye, the commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood added that it's important for parents to do their homework before hiring a nanny. The state emphasized the importance of trusting licensed care.
"Every adult working with a child has been background checked, every adult has been put against the DCF substantiated cases list, every adult is looked up under the sexual predators law, and a federal background check is done on every adult," Bye said.
She added that her office makes annual unannounced inspection visits to every provider and that guardians may want to do the same.
"Trust your gut and trust your kids and for parents, you want to come home unannounced," Beth said.
To find a nearby licensed and vetted childcare provider, click here.
Leah Myers is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at LMyers@fox61.com.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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