Daycare worker charged with sexually assaulting child

HALIFAX — A Halifax daycare provider says it is trying to reassure parents after one of its employees was charged with sexually assaulting a young child on the job.

Police say a report was filed on Aug. 22 that a man working at the Kids and Company daycare on Barrington Street touched one of the children in a sexual manner.

Police were not releasing the child’s age or gender, but say the man was suspended the same day.

They say 20-year-old Mitchell Casavechia of Cole Harbour turned himself in to police headquarters last Thursday and is now facing charges of sexual assault and sexual interference. “We’re doing everything we can to the best of our ability to reassure parents, but as you can appreciate this is a tough situation for sure,’’ said Dorothy Morphy, area director for the Kids and Company chain.

She said Casavechia had been working with Kids and Company for less than four months, and they had done all the mandated checks. “Everything that we’re supposed to do — reference checks, child abuse registry, everything — was done,’’ she said. She said the company is working with police and child services.

Casavechia was released on numerous conditions, including not going to any daycare, playground or school, and to not be around youth under 16 except when in the company of their parent.

He is due in court on Oct. 26.