3 Daycare Workers in Louisiana Arrested For Alleged Cruelty to Juveniles and Other Crimes

Rapides Parish, Louisiana – Three daycare workers in Louisiana have been arrested for alleged cruelty to juveniles and other crimes.

Allegations of cruelty to juveniles at a daycare in Pineville, Louisiana have resulted in the arrests of three suspects after warrants were previously issued for their arrest. The charges against Michelle Denise Smyth, Allison Grace VanDusen, and Destrianna Nicole LaCombe include obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, and 2nd Degree Cruelty to Juveniles.

The warrant for Michelle Denise Smyth, 56, of Deville, Louisiana was issued for obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy, Allison Grace VanDusen, 20, of Alexandria, Louisiana for 5 counts 2nd Degree Cruelty to Juveniles, obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy, and Destrianna Nicole LaCombe, 19, of Dry Prong, Louisiana for 2nd Degree Cruelty to Juveniles, obstruction of justice and criminal conspiracy.

All three suspects were taken into custody without incident and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center.

The involvement of multiple suspects and the possibility of more arrests and charges only underscores the gravity of the situation.

Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Matt Cross is leading the investigation, and more arrests and charges may be possible. The suspects have been released on bond, with Smyth receiving a lower bond than VanDusen and LaCombe.

VanDusen was released on a $17,500.00 bond and LaCombe was released on a $7,500.00 bond. Smyth was also released on a $5,000.00 bond.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Cross at 318-473-6727.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.