Hadwin trial delayed

Kevin Hill

A former day care director accused of not reporting child abuse won’t stand trial until late October because of a death in her family.

Jury selection was to begin Monday in the trial of Jacqueline Hadwin at the 35th District Court in Plymouth, but Judge Ron Lowe instead adjourned the case until Oct. 29.

Lawyers for Hadwin said her father-in-law had died unexpectedly and requested the adjournment. Prosecutors consented and the trial was moved.

“We discussed all of the possibilities,” said Lowe. “I think generally what was understood was beside her own loss she felt she should be there for her family, particularly her husband.”

Postponements due to family matters aren’t unusual, though the length of this one is. Lowe said since the trial has the potential to last seven days, he had to find the next free week on his calendar.

“Putting it off until October was a concern,” said Lowe. “It could have gone either way with me.”

Since the defense and prosecution said the delay was appropriate, Lowe agreed.

“It wasn’t wholly unreasonable. I wouldn’t have even hesitated to grant it, except that we were looking for an entire week that was available.”

Hadwin, a Westland resident, is accused of failing to report child abuse while she was director of Childtime Learning Center, a day care in Plymouth. Prosecutors allege that she had reason to suspect that 2-year-old Allison Newman was being abused while Newman attended the day care last summer.

The toddler died in September while in the Canton home of her foster mother, Carol Poole. Poole is charged with felony murder, manslaughter and first-degree child abuse.

Lowe said he expected Hadwin’s trial to last longer than a typical district court trial because of the attention given to Newman’s death.

Failing to report child abuse is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 93 days in jail or a $500 fine, or both.

The state of Michigan suspended the day care’s license shortly after the allegations against Hadwin came to light.

Amy Popp, a spokesperson for Childtime, said this week that the company, which operates several day cares in the region, continues to appeal the decision.

“We are still working to reopen it and we hope that will happen very soon,” she said.

In the separate case, a circuit court judge last week denied a motion to dismiss the charges against Poole and scheduled an evidentiary hearing for July 28.