MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. – A 21-year-old former daycare assistant teacher from Copiague has been charged with assaulting a three-year-old student at a Tutor Time childcare center in Massapequa, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Sydney Forbes was arrested following an investigation into an alleged incident that occurred on October 5, 2026, at approximately 12:55 p.m. at Tutor Time, located at 100 Grand Avenue in Massapequa.
According to Nassau County police, Forbes was working as an assistant teacher at the facility when she allegedly physically assaulted the child. Detectives assigned to the department’s Seventh Squad investigated the allegations and subsequently arrested Forbes without incident.
The arrest attracted regional media attention after the police announcement on November 8. In its initial coverage of the case, FOX 5 New York reported that authorities had not publicly disclosed the circumstances of the alleged assault or whether the child had suffered injuries. Additional information became available following Forbes’ arraignment.
According to News 12 Long Island, prosecutors alleged during court proceedings that surveillance footage showed Forbes chasing the child before grabbing and squeezing the child’s shoulder.
Prosecutors said the child was left with red marks on the arm and shoulder. The child also reportedly told their mother, “My teacher hurt me,” according to the television station’s coverage of the proceedings.
Forbes was charged with second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She pleaded not guilty during her arraignment at Nassau County First District Court in Hempstead and was released with an ankle monitor. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 20, 2026.
A former coworker, Nasia Martin, attended Forbes’ court appearance and expressed surprise at the allegations. Martin told News 12 that she considered Forbes a good teacher.
Tutor Time also responded to the allegations. In a statement obtained by News 12, the childcare provider said a family raised concerns about Forbes on October 5, prompting the company to remove her from the classroom and place her on leave that same day.
The company said that protecting the children in its care was its highest priority and that employees were expected to follow established standards of conduct. Tutor Time also confirmed that it cooperated with local police, state licensing authorities and Child Protective Services, and would continue supporting the investigation.
The allegations have raised questions about what occurred inside the daycare classroom and whether any other children may have experienced similar treatment. Police have not publicly disclosed whether investigators identified additional alleged victims.
Detectives are asking anyone who believes their child may have experienced a similar incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS (8477). Police said all callers will remain anonymous.
Key Facts & Details
| Incident Location | Tutor Time, 100 Grand Avenue, Massapequa, Nassau County, New York |
| Defendant | Sydney Forbes, 21, of Copiague |
| Employment | Former assistant teacher at Tutor Time |
| Alleged Victim | Three-year-old student |
| Incident Date | October 5, 2026 |
| Reported Time | 12:55 p.m. |
| Charges | Second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child |
| Plea | Not guilty |
| Release Conditions | Released with an ankle monitor |
| Next Court Date | November 20, 2026 |
| Court | Nassau County First District Court, Hempstead |
| Investigating Agency | Nassau County Police Department, Seventh Squad |
| Crime Stoppers | 1-800-244-TIPS (8477) |
| Official Source | Nassau County Police Department Arrest Announcement |
The arrest was announced by the Nassau County Police Department following an investigation by its Seventh Squad. Subsequent court proceedings provided additional details about the allegations, the defendant’s plea and the conditions of her release.
