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Bikers turn out to support family in child burning case
Photo: Nelson Oliveira / Nelson Oliveira
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a nanny in March.
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a nanny in March.
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a ⊠more
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a nanny in March.
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a ⊠more
Members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gather outside state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, after a hearing involving a nanny accused of child abuse. From left, âHappy,â president of the organizationâs Eastern Connecticut chapter; âIrish,â president of the Newtown chapter; and âPoppi,â secretary of the Italy chapter. All members of the organization go by their âroad names.â
Members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gather outside state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, after a hearing involving a nanny accused of child abuse. From left, âHappy,â ⊠more
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a nanny in March.
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a ⊠more
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a nanny in March.
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a ⊠more
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a nanny in March.
About 20 members of Bikers Against Child Abuse gathered at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a ⊠more
Members of Bikers Against Child Abuse get ready to leave after a hearing Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., where they turned out to support the family of three children authorities said were abused by a nanny in March.
Members of Bikers Against Child Abuse get ready to leave after a hearing Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, at state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., where they turned out to support the family of three children ⊠more
âIrish,â president of the Newtown chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse seen outside the state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, after a hearing involving a nanny accused of child abuse. Members of the organization go by their âroad names.â
âIrish,â president of the Newtown chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse seen outside the state Superior Court in Danbury, Conn., Thursday morning, Oct. 29, 2015, after a hearing involving a nanny accused of ⊠more
Lidia Quilligana, 32, pleads not guilty Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in State Superior Court in Danbury, Conn. She was aided by interpreter Javier Lillo and represented by her attorney Jennifer Tunnard.
Lidia Quilligana, 32, pleads not guilty Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in State Superior Court in Danbury, Conn. She was aided by interpreter Javier Lillo and represented by her attorney Jennifer Tunnard.
Photo: Carol Kaliff / Carol Kaliff
Lidia Quilligana, 32, pleads not guilty Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in State Superior Court in Danbury, Conn. She was aided by interpreter Javier Lillo and represented by her attorney Jennifer Tunnard.
Lidia Quilligana, 32, pleads not guilty Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in State Superior Court in Danbury, Conn. She was aided by interpreter Javier Lillo and represented by her attorney Jennifer Tunnard.
Photo: Carol Kaliff / Carol Kaliff
Lidia Quilligana, 32, pleads not guilty Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in State Superior Court in Danbury, Conn. She was aided by interpreter Javier Lillo and represented by her attorney Jennifer Tunnard.
Lidia Quilligana, 32, pleads not guilty Wednesday, April 22, 2015, in State Superior Court in Danbury, Conn. She was aided by interpreter Javier Lillo and represented by her attorney Jennifer Tunnard.
Photo: Carol Kaliff / Carol Kaliff
Lidia Quilligana, a 32-year-old nanny, was caught on camera burning the hands and leg of a 3-year-old girl she was baby-sitting, authorities said.
Lidia Quilligana, a 32-year-old nanny, was caught on camera burning the hands and leg of a 3-year-old girl she was baby-sitting, authorities said.
Photo: Contributed Photo / Contributed Photo
Bikers turn out to support family in child burning case
DANBURY â Since a nanny was charged in March with abusing three children, a family friend has attended about 10 court hearings on behalf of the victims. But none, she said, were as special as Thursdayâs hearing.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, was joined by about 20 bikers, members of Bikers Against Child Abuse, an international organization of bikers who work to support child abuse victims and their families. They came from all parts of the state and even Rhode Island to show support for her and her family.
The bikers, all wearing jeans and black leather jackets, escorted the woman through the courthouse, sat next to her in the courtroom and escorted her back to her car after the hearing.
âI was overwhelmed and appreciative to have their support,â she said. âIt sends a big message that needs to be heard loud and clear. That message is that child abuse should never be allowed.â
The nanny, Lidia Quilligana, was arrested March 27 after she was seen on video force-feeding a 3-year-old girl, slapping and knocking her to the ground, jumping on her and pressing her hands and leg against a stove burner, according to court records.
After reviewing two weeks of video from the familyâs home security system, authorities said Quilligana repeatedly abused the girl and her 1-year-old twin siblings.
Quilligana has been charged with 23 counts of risk of injury to a minor and one count of first-degree assault, all felonies. She has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
The president of B.A.C.A.âs Eastern Connecticut chapter said this is the first child abuse case by a nanny heâs seen in the state since he joined the organization several years ago. Like all B.A.C.A. members, he uses a âroad nameâ â in his case, Happy.
âWeâre here to reassure them that thereâs somebody out here to help,â Happy said.
B.A.C.A. has drawn praise from many child protection groups, including the Department of Children and Families, and are referred to victimsâ families by social workers and law enforcement agencies.
The bikersâ tattoos, black leather vests, loud motorcycles and overall image as âtough guysâ and âtough womenâ work to their benefit, one member said.
The organization plans to work with the children in the Danbury case for as long as they need help.
âSheâll never get over what happened to her,â Happy said of the 3-year-old. âBut we want her to understand that not all adults are bad.â
Another biker, known as Cookie, who is treasurer of the organizationâs recently launched Newtown chapter, said following families and friends of victims at court proceedings is one of the groupâs most popular tasks.
âItâs hard enough for someone to come and have to take care of this on behalf of the parent or someone else,â he said. âMost of the time, they come in by themselves.â
Assistant Stateâs Attorney Warren Murray during Thursdayâs hearing appeared impatient with the many delays in the case. At the request of Quilliganaâs attorney, Jennifer Tunnard, the court continued the case to Jan. 20.
Tunnard told the judge sheâs waiting to receive the childrenâs medical records. In addition, her client is pregnant and is expected to give birth by the end of the year.
The woman, who is following the hearings for the family, said she and the parents are âextremely frustratedâ the case is moving so slowly. The children are having therapy and the oldest child has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the woman said.
âEvery possible level of torture was inflicted on these children and even ways that you couldnât possibly imagine,â she said.