A fugitive convicted of raping a child in Brazil was found living inside a Massachusetts home daycare, raising alarm among state officials and exposing gaps in vetting processes for residential childcare facilities.
Andre Tiago Lucas, 44, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in October in Bourne, Massachusetts. According to ICE, Lucas fled Brazil after being convicted in 2016 of raping a 13-year-old and sentenced to nine years and four months in prison. Authorities said he had been living at a daycare facility run by Franciele Nunes, reportedly the mother of his two children.
The daycare, located in Cape Cod's Hyannis area, was licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in March 2022 and had passed five state inspections. Officials now admit they were unaware of Lucas' presence. "[It's] terrifying... that someone has been documented, that a Brazilian national fled the country because they were convicted for rape of a 13-year-old and could come to Massachusetts and not only disappear... but actually be living in a home that was a daycare center," Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis told Boston 25 News.
The daycare has since been shut down, and Nunes allowed her license to lapse. The EEC does not run international criminal background checks or verify immigration status for residents or frequent visitors to licensed home childcare centers. ICE officials said the agency was not informed about Lucas' connection to the daycare until four months after his arrest.
Massachusetts State Representative Steven Xiarhos, a former police officer, called the situation "disgusting and shameful" and urged more robust cooperation with federal authorities. "We should be cooperating with federal law enforcement... you can share and work together to be safe," he said.
The case has reignited debate over Massachusetts' Right to Shelter law, which guarantees housing for homeless families and has led to a spike in migrant shelter costs, totaling more than $3 billion since 2021. Governor Maura Healey proposed changes in January to require criminal background checks for shelter applicants.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy directly blamed Healey's sanctuary policies for the incident. "Under Healey's leadership, our communities are endangered, and our most vulnerable-our children-are put at risk," he stated. "When I'm Governor, this ends."
