By Michael Donoghue, Vermont News First

The son of the operator of a now closed Burlington day care is facing 14 criminal counts of cruelty to children ages 1 and 2 years-old following an investigation, the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations said today.

Gary L. Pasquale III, 29, of Champlain, N.Y., an 11-year employee at the Frog & Toad Child Care & Learning Center at 130 Gosse Court in the New North End also is facing one count of unlawful restraint, CUSI said.

The criminal investigation resulted in probable cause that Pasquale willfully assaulted, unlawfully restrained, and ill-treated at least seven children — ages 12 to 24 months, CUSI said. The children were under his care, causing them pain, suffering, distress, and he neglected children by failing to provide proper care and support, CUSI maintains.

Investigators determined Pasquale is the son of the director of the day care in Burlington, Erin Pasquale, CUSI said.

When CUSI Detective Eric Dalla Mura attempted to interview both Gary and Erin Pasquale, they both advised that they did not wish to speak with him upon the advice of an attorney, Detective Lt. Richard Weinisch said.

Gary L. Pasquale III’s attorney accepted service of a criminal citation on behalf of his client ordering him to appear in Vermont Superior Court on Tuesday May 12 for the 15 criminal counts, Weinisch said.

The CUSI investigation into potential physical child abuse following a referral by Burlington Police on March 9, officials said.

The Child Development Division (CDD) of the Vermont Department for Children & Families (DCF) also was involved in the investigation.

Dalla Mura along with Family Services Worker Paula Catherine from DCF’s Residential Licensing and Special Investigations division took the lead on the case, police said. They received support from the University of Vermont Medical Center Child Safe Program.

The DePasquales were not involved in the daily operation of a second Frog & Toad Child Care & Learning Center in Essex, officials said.

The Frog & Toad center, which was in the Robert Miller Center in Burlington, surrendered its license voluntarily on April13 after a state licensing investigation showed there were signs of abuse, officials said.

An investigative summary from DCF outlined multiple serious violations at the child care center, including allegations that staff physically abused children.

According to the report, at least one child was thrown into a hard snowbank. DCF Investigators also found other incidents in which adults abused children in multiple ways.