New Hampshire’s first openly transgender state legislator is now facing up to 30 years in prison.
Stacie-Marie Laughton, born Barry Laughton, 41, pleaded guilty last week to federal child exploitation charges. Prosecutors say she worked with her former partner, daycare employee Lindsay Groves, 40.
Groves was accused of capturing illegal images involving young children in her care.
The photos were shared with Laughton, according to the federal criminal complaint. The disturbing activity is alleged to have taken place from May 2022 to June 2023.
Both defendants are now awaiting sentencing in February.
Authorities say Groves took the images while working at Creative Minds daycare in Massachusetts.
Parents were never aware until the investigation began last summer.
Federal agents seized phones, messages and electronic evidence linking both defendants. Investigators said Laughton encouraged and engaged in the illegal exchange of prohibited content.
Text Messages Revealed Disturbing Awareness Of Illegality
Court records show Laughton acknowledged the pair could face serious legal consequences.
One message read that “parents don’t like people touching their kids and it is against the law.”
Investigators say that line showed a clear awareness of wrongdoing.
Prosecutors also cited further texts where Laughton questioned whether they would “still go to heaven.”
Groves responded that “God would be OK” and reportedly encouraged the behavior. Officials called the conversations “deeply disturbing and morally detached.”
Laughton had already resigned twice from the New Hampshire legislature.
First in 2012 over credit card fraud, then again in 2022 following a stalking arrest. Despite legal issues, she remained a public figure and kept an online presence.
Federal agents say the case only came to light when Laughton shared images with a third person. That recipient immediately reported the content to police, triggering the investigation.
Officials confirmed that no physical injuries were reported among daycare children. Authorities said the case centered on illegal images, not physical contact crimes.
However, the emotional impact on families remains “unimaginable,” according to prosecutors.
Public Reaction And Sentencing Ahead
Parents and child safety advocates have called the case “one of the most upsetting in recent years.” Local communities say they were shocked that the case involved a public official.
The daycare center says it was unaware of any criminal wrongdoing at the time. It has since increased monitoring, staff screenings and internal reporting systems.
Federal prosecutors have recommended lengthy prison sentences for both defendants.
Laughton will be sentenced in February with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. Groves also faces federal sentencing in the same case.
The case has sparked renewed debate about daycare security, digital evidence and reporting rules.
Experts urge parents to closely monitor environments their children spend time in.
The investigation is now fully closed, pending sentencing next year.
Featured image credit: Facebook/Stacie-Marie Laughton
