A former daycare worker from Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and a former New Hampshire State Representative have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to child exploitation and child pornography.
Lindsay Groves, 40, of Hudson, New Hampshire, admitted guilt on October 14, 2025, to three counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of distribution of child pornography. Her sentencing is set for February 4, 2026. Stacie Marie Laughton, 41, of Nashua—who previously served as a state representative in New Hampshire—pleaded guilty on November 3, 2025, to three counts of sexual exploitation of children. She will be sentenced on February 12, 2026.
Groves was employed at Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough between May 2022 and June 2023. During this period, she took nude photographs of children at the facility during routine bathroom breaks and sent them via text message to Laughton. The two were previously in an intimate relationship.
A forensic review uncovered over 10,000 text messages exchanged between Groves and Laughton over about one month in 2023. Some messages included discussions about explicit images taken by Groves at the daycare. At least four sexually explicit photos depicted children estimated to be between three and five years old.
Authorities have identified all minor victims involved in the case and have contacted their families.
The charge of sexual exploitation of children carries a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of thirty years. Distribution of child pornography is punishable by five to twenty years in prison. Both offenses can also result in supervised release for at least five years up to life and fines up to $250,000 each. Sentencing will follow federal guidelines and statutes.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Nashua (N.H.) Police Chief Kevin Rourke made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire; Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office; and the Hudson, N.H. Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica L. Soto and Anne Paruti of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.”
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 that brings together federal, state, and local resources to address child sexual exploitation crimes through investigation and victim identification efforts.
More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
