ABOVE: Matthieu Mastrostefano is the owner of the Chateau Bertinois daycare in Chomedey. He was arrested last month for assaulting three children in his care, and on Wednesday, his legal problems grew. Domenic Fazioli has more.
LAVAL — Detectives in Laval have been kept busy in recent months speaking with angry moms and dads from the Chomedey district.
Several peeved parents have accused 32-year-old Matthieu Mastrostefano of child abuse.
He is the owner of the Chateau Bertinois Daycare, and he was arrested last month for assaulting three children in his care.
READ MORE: Laval daycare owner charged with assaulting, threatening 3 children in his care
On Wednesday, his legal problems grew, after a new victim, a fourth child, claimed the daycare owner was abusive.
Mastrostefano allegedly threatened one youngster, attacked another with a pair of scissors, and he allegedly spat in one child’s food.
Despite the allegations, some parents who use the daycare said they support Mastrostefano.
Close to a dozen parents showed up at the Laval courthouse Wednesday morning.
They said the charges are fabricated and described Mastrostefano as a “nice guy.”
“We don’t believe what we hear,” said parent Richard Ngo.
“There’s no way he did anything they say he did, no way!”
The daycare will remain open but parents who support the accused child abuser worry the it could be on the brink of closure.
At one point last year, the private facility used to house about 80 children.
Global News has learned since the police allegations were made public, about 40 families have removed their children from the facility.
“People say we’re crazy keeping our kids there, knowing the charges are that serious, but we know there is no way none of this happened,” said parent Irina Kossogova.
Matthieu Mastrostefano is expected to return to court in April.
Comments