dme court

CRANBERRY TWP — The defense of a Pittsburgh woman accused of assaulting a child at a learning center in the township said he believes they will reach a plea agreement with the commonwealth.

Richa Gupte, 38, waived her right to a preliminary hearing Friday, Aug. 29, before District Judge Kevin Flaherty. She was charged July 23 with misdemeanor simple assault after she allegedly pulled a child, resulting in a fractured elbow, while working as an assistant group supervisor at Allie Alligator Learning Center.

“My client is really a sweet lady … it’s not charged as a felony. This is not felony child abuse,” said Gupte’s attorney, Sean Logue.

Police said the 2-year-old girl was reaching for a toy on a shelf when Gupte redirected her and forcefully pulled her away from the shelf by her left arm. The girl immediately started to cry and hold her left arm, according to the affidavit.

The girl was examined June 3 and diagnosed with an occult left elbow fracture. Police said Gupte failed to report the injury to the learning center at the time.

She has since been terminated from Allie Alligator Learning Center.

“We believe that the state and the family of the victim showed real compassion,” Logue said. “She did not intend to hurt the child in any way.”

Logue said Gupte has since been volunteering at a local food bank and taking online college classes.

“She’s doing everything she can of herself in her position to allow the commonwealth to consider a favorable plea agreement,” Logue said.

Gupte’s formal arraignment is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 14 in Butler County Common Pleas Court.