Child-rapist migrant who fled Brazil found living at Massachusetts daycare home: ‘Terrifying’

A recent report revealed that a migrant convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl in Brazil managed to flee to the US and was discovered living in a home with a licensed daycare center in Massachusetts. The fugitive, identified as Andre Tiago Lucas, is said to be the father of the home daycare owner’s two children. He escaped Brazil after being sentenced to nine years and four months in prison in 2016 and was arrested by federal immigration agents in Cape Cod in October.

The presence of a convicted child rapist living in close proximity to a daycare center has raised serious concerns about child safety. Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis expressed shock at the situation, stating that it is alarming for someone with such a criminal history to be living in a home that operates as a daycare center for young children.

Following Lucas’ arrest, the daycare center was shut down, and its owner, Franciele Nunes, allowed her license to expire. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, which issued the home daycare’s license in March 2022, conducted multiple inspections but claimed to have found no evidence of Lucas residing there. The agency requires background checks on all individuals who live or regularly visit home daycares, but it does not screen for criminal histories abroad or check immigration status.

State Representative Steven Xiarhos has raised concerns about the state’s ability to ensure child safety at local daycares, emphasizing the need for proper background checks and vigilance in monitoring daycare facilities. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding children in daycare settings and ensuring that they are in a secure environment.

The discovery of a convicted child rapist living near a daycare center has prompted calls for enhanced safety measures and stricter regulations to protect children in childcare facilities. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough background checks and stringent oversight to prevent individuals with criminal histories from endangering the lives of innocent children.