Cape Cod Daycare Shuts Down After Fugitive Child Rapist Found Living There

A home daycare in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has permanently closed its doors after a local news investigation revealed that a Brazilian fugitive wanted for the rape of a minor was residing at the property. Andre Tiago Lucas, sought for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old in Brazil, was apprehended in Bourne, Massachusetts, last October by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO) Boston.

The shocking revelation has sparked outrage and condemnation from local officials, raising serious questions about the vetting processes for individuals working and residing in childcare facilities, as well as broader concerns about immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies in the state.

Massachusetts Republican State Representative Steven George Xiarhos, a former police officer with 40 years of experience in Yarmouth, expressed his disgust and dismay, stating that the situation "never should have happened." He emphasized his familiarity with background checks and individuals who break the law, asserting that Lucas should never have been allowed into the country or the state in the first place.

According to ICE, a Brazilian court convicted Lucas of the rape of a vulnerable person in 2016, sentencing him to over nine years in prison. However, he subsequently fled Brazil and made his way to Massachusetts, where he was found living with Franciele Nunes at her home daycare in Hyannis.

Boston 25’s investigation into Lucas revealed that the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) conducted five separate inspections of Nunes’ daycare facility. Despite these visits, the agency reportedly found no evidence of Lucas’s presence. Nunes had been a licensed daycare provider for three years, according to EEC records.

Following Lucas’s arrest in November 2024, acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde of ICE ERO Boston stated that he falsely believed he could evade justice in Massachusetts.

The incident has ignited fears among parents in the area, particularly in wealthy, liberal enclaves like Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, which have recently experienced a surge in migrant crime. Xiarhos believes that stronger background checks are crucial for individuals entering and residing in Massachusetts, advocating for cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.

He also highlighted Massachusetts’ unique Right to Shelter law, enacted in 1983 to address homelessness, which guarantees housing for families and pregnant women without housing. While initially intended to address domestic needs, the law has faced strain due to a recent influx of migrants, coupled with a lack of affordable housing, leading to an overwhelmed state and a vast network of migrant shelters costing taxpayers billions of dollars.

Gov. Maura Healey proposed changes to the Right to Shelter law in January, including mandatory criminal background checks. However, critics argue that her policies have effectively made Massachusetts a sanctuary state, shielding lawbreakers from accountability and endangering communities, especially vulnerable children.

Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy condemned the situation, asserting that Lucas’s residence in a daycare is a direct consequence of Healey’s sanctuary policies. He vowed to end sanctuary protections for fugitives, expand background checks, enforce the law, and prioritize community safety if elected.

The case has also raised questions about the potential culpability of Nunes, the daycare provider, and whether she will face charges in connection with Lucas’s fugitive status.

The incident underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement, background checks, and the potential vulnerabilities within childcare systems. It has sparked a debate about the balance between providing sanctuary and ensuring public safety, particularly in a state grappling with an influx of migrants and a housing crisis. As investigations continue and officials grapple with the fallout, the focus remains on protecting children and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.