Investigation yields charges against husband of daycare provider

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NAUGATUCK — The husband of a woman operating an illegal home daycare in the borough is facing charges after multiple girls reported they were inappropriately touched by the man.

Police last week charged Joaquim Buxo, 62, of 274 High St., with two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault, illegal sexual contact of a victim under 16 years old and risk of injury to child. The arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation that may yield more charges against Buxo as six girls, all under 12 years old, have reported he inappropriately touched them, according to court documents and police.

Buxo’s wife, Gloria Maria Buxo, operates a daycare out of the couple’s home, according to the documents, despite orders to stop pending license approval. According to records on the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood’s website, Gloria Maria Buxo has a pending application for a family child care home license.

The investigation started in August after a woman came to the Naugatuck Police Department to report a girl told her daughter that Joaquim Buxo had touched her inappropriately, according to court documents. Both girls attended the daycare.

The victim told investigators Joaquim Buxo touched her over her clothes the first day she was at the daycare, according to court documents.

Another girl told investigators in August that Joaquim Buxo had touched her under her clothes on several occasions about three years ago when she was at the daycare, according to court documents.

Gloria Maria Buxo told a family member of one of the girls that there was a misunderstanding and that Joaquim Buxo was just playing, according to court documents.

According to court documents, four other girls have reported being inappropriately touched by Joaquim Buxo while they were being cared for at the house. Naugatuck police spokesman Lt. Bryan Cammarata said Monday the investigation is still open.

Joaquim Buxo is being held in lieu of bonds pending his next court date.