Tearful teacher reveals Lindsay Clancy’s daughter’s concerning behavior just one day before killings
Susan Bertolo, a dedicated staff member at Learning Sprouts preschool, played a significant role in the early education of both Cora and Dawson.
She was responsible for nurturing young minds in the ‘Sunflower’ room, where Cora spent her mornings three days each week.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Bertolo shared heartfelt remarks about Cora, praising her as an ‘amazing’ and ‘wonderful’ student who was more than ready to take on kindergarten.
Reflecting on her last encounter with Cora, the preschool teacher was visibly moved, recounting her fond memories.
The morning of January 23, 2023, marked the last time Cora was dropped off at preschool, a day etched in memory for Bertolo.
That day, she needed to use the bathroom more than normal, Bertolo said. She noted that she was concerned because this was out of the ordinary for the child, and told another teacher.
When she told Clancy at pickup, she said she had a doctor’s appointment for Cora the next day.
The five-year-old was complaining that her tummy hurt and didn’t want to get up from her nap, her second teacher of the day, Stephanie Williams, told the court.
Williams told Clancy this when she picked her daughter up that afternoon.
Instead of Cora getting up and meeting her mom at the door to the classroom – as the children normally do – Clancy had to walk into the room and gently coax the girl to leave.
Clancy scooped up the little girl from her cot, saying to her: ‘Oh baby, come on let’s go get Dawson and we’ll go home.’
When asked if she noticed anything different about Clancy that day – or any day – she said: She was just a very loving mother who cared very much for her children.’