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. She is scheduled for sentencing on February 4, 2026. Stacie Marie Laughton, 41, of Nashua, New Hampshire—who previously served as a state representative—pleaded guilty on November 3, 2025, to three counts of sexual exploitation of children. Her sentencing is set for February 12, 2026.
The investigation revealed that Groves was employed at Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough between May 2022 and June 2023. During this time, she took nude photographs of children during routine diaper or pull-up changes before naptime in a private bathroom. These images were then sent via text message to Laughton, with whom Groves had been in an intimate relationship.
Authorities arrested Groves and Laughton in June and July 2023 after a criminal complaint. Both were indicted by a federal grand jury later that month. Forensic analysis showed more than 10,000 text messages exchanged between the two within about one month in 2023. The messages included explicit discussions and the transfer of photographs depicting children who appeared to be between three and five years old.
Law enforcement officials have identified all minor victims involved in the case and contacted their families.
Sentencing guidelines for sexual exploitation of children include a minimum prison term of 15 years and up to 30 years, with supervised release ranging from five years to life and fines up to $250,000. Distribution of child pornography carries a minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison with similar conditions for supervised release and fines. Sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
“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.”
“This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.” More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
