[Updated Saturday 4/25/2026 with comments from the Rye YMCA.]
A child care worker at the Rye YMCA was charged on Friday, April 24, 2026 with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, for allegedly handling a toddler in her care in an especially rough manner on multiple occasions. The announcement was made by Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace.
Molly Swain, 34, of Rye, was arraigned on the charge Friday before Rye City Court Judge Taylor Piscionere, who released the defendant on her own recognizance, as the charge is not bail eligible. Judge Piscionere further provided a temporary order of protection to the victim. The case was adjourned to May 5.
As alleged in a misdemeanor information, on April 1, the defendant, a child care worker at the Rye YMCA, lifted a 19-month-old toddler in her care up by the arms and dropped the toddler to the floor in such a manner that would likely be injurious due to the level of force applied. On two other occasions, it is alleged that the defendant grabbed the same toddler by the back of their shirt collar and lifted them off the floor.
“Westchester parents who drop their kids off at day care expect they will be nurtured by the professionals entrusted with their care,” said DA Cacace. “Instead, this defendant is alleged to have betrayed her duty as a care worker, subjecting the child victim in this case to unnecessary roughness. Toddlers cannot speak for themselves. It was only through diligent investigation and prosecutorial scrutiny that we were able to file this charge, and I would like to thank all of our investigatory partners for their work on this case.”
In a statement provided to MyRye.com, the Rye YMCA said “We were recently made aware of the arrest of a now-former staff member following allegations of physical abuse at the Rye YMCA Early Learning Center. When we first learned of the allegations, we placed two teachers in the classroom on administrative leave, pending investigation. Since then, both employees have been terminated. All the checks that the Rye YMCA and third-party organizations conducted on these former staff members came back clean – they had no previous record or any other cause for concern in their background, nor have they had any disciplinary issues while working at the Rye YMCA. We take our responsibility to children and their families very seriously, and we take pride in providing safe places for children to grow in skills and self-confidence. We are committed to providing a safe environment to every person in our programs, most importantly children who are entrusted to our care. That any child should be harmed in our care is unacceptable and we continue to keep those affected in our thoughts.”
The Y further outlined several of its safety procedures in the statement including criminal background checks; hiring interviews, work history and reference checks; staff training; and a prohibition of staff from being alone with a child where they cannot be observed by others.
This case was investigated by the City of Rye Police Department and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The case is being prosecuted by Rye Branch Chief Cindy Adimari. The Westchester District Attorney’s office reminds you that charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
