Former New Hampshire Representative Sentenced for Child Exploitation

A former state representative from New Hampshire, Stacie Marie Laughton, 41, received a federal prison sentence exceeding 33 years. Laughton pleaded guilty to charges related to receiving explicit images of children from a Massachusetts daycare.

According to a report by WCVB, Laughton obtained these images from Lindsay Groves, 40, of Hudson, New Hampshire. Earlier this month, Groves was sentenced to 22 years in prison for her involvement.

The Nashua Police Department confirmed Laughton’s guilty plea to sexual exploitation of children. Groves, once employed at Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, admitted to three counts of sexual exploitation and one count of distributing child pornography. This information was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Authorities disclosed that between May 2022 and June 2023, Groves photographed young children at the daycare during private bathroom moments. She transmitted these images to Laughton via text messages.

Forensic analysis of both Laughton’s and Groves’ cellphones showed more than 10,000 text messages exchanged over one month in 2023. These messages contained discussions and transfers of explicit images involving children aged 3 to 5 years.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed all child victims in the case were located, and their families were informed by law enforcement.

NH Journal reported that Laughton is held in the male section of Hillsborough County jail. Neither Creative Minds Early Learning Center nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office provided comments to Fox News Digital.

Alexandra Koch, a Fox News Digital journalist, covers major news events affecting national discourse. Her reporting portfolio includes significant crises like the L.A. wildfires and Texas Hill Country floods.