NEW LONDON — Newport Circuit Court has found probable cause for an assault charge against a New London preschool teacher accused of bruising a toddler, elevating the case to a higher-level court.
On May 20, police arrested Robert Snider, 49, of Sutton on a second-degree assault charge for bodily injury following an April 25 report by the mother of a child in his care.
Snider — at the time an employee at ABC’s Child Care Center operating out of New London Hospital — is accused of grabbing a 2-year-old by the left arm — which the child’s mother noted left a bruise — while yelling at him.
Police visited the child’s residence and confirmed there was a bruise, according to an affidavit filed by police.
Witnesses at the day care center described “the same conduct” by Snider as the parent had reported, the affidavit stated. Snider was in the preschool room while the child was in the toddler room. The child started playing with the door between classrooms, which allegedly prompted Snider to get involved.
One employee told police that Snider’s knuckles grew white as he held the child, the affidavit noted.
As a result of that incident, the hospital’s human resources department terminated Snider the following day, April 24, the affidavit said.
A letter May 14 to families at ABC’s Childcare Center, provided to the Valley News by a parent, said a reportable incident had occurred, followed by an internal review and a self-report to the Child Care Licensing Unit of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
The letter also said that the state unit found that the center had addressed the issue appropriately, and no further action was needed.
“We want to reassure you that the safety and well-being of every child in our care remains our highest priority,” said the letter signed by ABC’s Director Tina Walker and New London Hospital President/CEO Lauren Wirth.
Police arrested Snider May 20. He filed a written plea of not guilty and waived court arraignment.
Snider did not respond by deadline to phone and email requests for comment.
The second-degree assault charge, a Class B felony, carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison, with the possibility of a fine of up to $4,000, according to state law, RSA 651:2. The court complaint said the sentence could be enhanced because the victim was under 13 years of age.
Snider was released May 21 on personal recognizance, with conditions prohibiting from contacting or being within 300 feet of the victim, the victim’s family or any center staff, aside from his wife. Also, Snider may not contact any individuals under age 16 unless they are related to him.
After a probable cause hearing June 2, the case was bound over to Merrimack County Superior Court. Snider has retained Concord-based attorney Mark Waldner, who did not respond by deadline. His next scheduled court appearance is Aug. 20, a dispositional conference with Judge Martin Honigberg.
