Investigation Continues Against Nanny Charged with possessing, distributing Child Sexual Abuse Materials
Stephanie Lak, a.k.a. Stephanie Germaine, used Care.com, investigators have learned
BOSTON, July 20, 2021— As the criminal case proceeds against STEPHANIE LAK, 36, on charges of possessing and sharing child sexual abuse materials, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins is reaching out to parents and caretakers who may have had contact with the former nanny on the site Care.com.
Ms. Lak was arraigned on April 28, 2021, on a charge of possession of child pornography and distribution of material of a child in a sex act. These charges are pending in the Roxbury Division of Boston Municipal Court amid an ongoing and extensive investigation led by detectives assigned to the Boston Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit. Assigned detectives and prosecutors continue to review Ms. Lak’s employment history, social media communications and other investigative avenues.
District Attorney Rollins’ office previously announced that Ms. Lak secured employment as a nanny and caregiver through the site Sittercity.com. The ongoing investigation subsequently revealed that she also had profiles on Care.com using the names “Stephanie Lak” and “Stephanie Germaine” as recently as 2019. Parents and guardians whose minor dependent(s) have been in contact with Stephanie Lak and think they could potentially be one of Lak’s victims, to please email Lakinvestigation@fbi.gov and provide your name and best contact information to have a member of the investigative team contact you.
“This individual flew under the radar, gaining the trust of parents in order to gain access to children. While she is not now charged with physically abusing any of the children she cared for, we continue to investigate whether any of these children were harmed in any way. It’s important that any families who worked with Ms. Lak have access to information, guidance, support and resources,” District Attorney Rollins said. “Parents and caring adults should make sure that children know they can always speak to you about anything that makes them uncomfortable or scared without getting in trouble, and that no one who truly cares about them would ever ask them to keep secrets. If a child discloses abuse or says something that raises concern, contact the police, prosecutors or the Children’s Advocacy Center immediately. You will be met by a compassionate, multidisciplinary team to provide necessary services to help survivors and their loved ones along the journey toward healing.”
Parents can learn more about the signs of child abuse here.
While the victims and witnesses of any crime should call 911 in an emergency, there are additional resources available to report suspected crimes against children. In Suffolk County, survivors of child abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caretakers can receive comprehensive services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County. The CAC can be reached at 617-779-2146. Survivors may also contact the Child Protection Unit at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 617-619-4300. Anyone who believes that a child in Massachusetts may be the victim of abuse can call the Department of Children and Families’ Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. Those concerned that a child is being exploited online may report a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.cybertipline.com.
Assistant District Attorney Nicole Poirier of District Attorney Rollins’ Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit is the assigned prosecutor. Catherine McGuane is the assigned victim witness advocate. Ms. Lak is represented by attorney Allison Cartwright. The case against her returns to court July 21, 2021.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.