Man charged with abusing children for years

A yearlong investigation into allegations that a Springfield man sexually molested several children beginning when one of them was 4 years old has resulted in felony charges.


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2017-05-13 / Front Page Springfield man pleads not guilty to child sexual assault By ALLAN STEIN Eagle Times correspondent David LaClair stands in Windsor County District Court during his arraignment Friday. — ALLAN STEIN WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield man awaiting lung surgery pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted three young girls in 2010, despite reportedly having admitted to the offenses when police questioned him. David LaClair, 60, entered pleas of not guilty to three felony counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child at his arraignment Friday in Windsor Superior Criminal Court. LaClair, breathing with the aid of a portable oxygen device, appeared frail as he entered the courtroom at 1 p.m. Friday to answer to a criminal citation. He was accompanied by his public defender Erik Braghirol. Judge Theresa S. Dimauro set bail at $5,000 and instructed the defendant to stay away from the alleged victims, now teenagers. LaClair is also to have no contact with anyone under the age of 18 and must submit to a 24-hour curfew and alcohol testing, the judge said. Windsor County State Attorney Heidi Remick recommended that LaClair should be held without bail based on a change in state law regarding lewd and lascivious conduct involving children. Remick pointed to LaClair's lengthy criminal record going back to the 1970s that included nine counts of failure to appear in court in Vermont, as well as multiple probation and parole violations and "at least two felonies." The prosecutor said LaClair has four convictions for driving under the influence, adding that with "digging" she will locate a third DUI record in order to bring an additional habitual offender charge against LaClair. "It is not a stretch to [suggest] that the defendant might pose a risk to any other children he might be around," Remick said. Braghirol argued that LaClair’s prior offenses occurred a "significant time ago" and that LaClair’s criminal record, "while lengthy, is generally minor." Remick said she was "not confident" of any condition or "combination of conditions" as being sufficient to protect the public from a "substantial threat of physical violence." For this reason, LaClair should be held without bail or on $50,000 cash or surety bail, she said. On Thursday, Vermont State Police concluded three child sex offense investigations with the arrest of LaClair and a criminal citation. The alleged sexual offenses took place in 2010 in Perkinsville and Weathersfield, police said. However, Vermont State Police do not release the names of victims of sexual assault, according to Detective Trooper Matthew H. Sweitzer of the Royalton Special Investigation Unit. Remick said that, while being questioned, LaClair admitted to police to having inappropriate contact with each of the children, although she did not elaborate. Braghirol pointed to LaClair's ill health, his round-the-clock dependence on an oxygen device, and his family ties in the community as reasons putting him at low risk of flight. LaClair is scheduled to undergo lung surgery at an area hospital to remove blood clots on June 20. He is currently renting a room at a friend's residence in Springfield. Springfield man accused of lewd and lascivious conduct Posted: May 11, 2017 10:47 PM EDT Updated: May 11, 2017 10:47 PM EDT By WCAX NewsCONNECT David LaClair David LaClair SPRINGFIELD, Vt. - A Springfield man is accused of lewd and lascivious conduct with three children. David LaClair, 60, was arrested Thursday. Investigators say the crimes happened in Perkinsville and Weathersfield back in 2010. LaClair was released on a citation and is due in court Friday.