Elaine Rossi

Elaine Rossi testified for the Commonwealth on Day 7 about caring for the Clancy children from September to early December 2022, primarily as Callan's part-time nanny. She identified the childcare notebook already marked Exhibit 150. A video she made of Callan drinking from a bottle was played and admitted without objection as Exhibit 213.

On direct examination, Rossi distinguished Lindsay's reports of postpartum difficulties, medical appointments, and poor sleep from her own observations of parenting. She noticed no change in Lindsay's demeanor or interactions with the children and expressed no concerns about their safety during her employment. She also described Lindsay's response when Dawson slapped Callan as appropriate. Correcting her initial recollection, Rossi said Lindsay planned to stop nursing because she would begin a new medication; Rossi knew no medication details.

On cross-examination by Kevin Reddington, Rossi described attentive parenting and regarded the notebook's food-preparation instructions as appropriate rather than overbearing or controlling. She confirmed Lindsay's reports of serious sleep difficulties and treatment, and separately said she observed significant weight loss. She acknowledged limited knowledge of postpartum difficulties, could not date Lindsay's basement sleeping, and did not recall a complaint about trouble focusing. Her account described reported symptoms and household observations, not a clinical assessment.

Rossi said the parents ended her employment because Lindsay would not return to work and both would be home to care for the children. She was uncertain whether her last day was December 8 or December 10. On redirect, she denied having conversations with Lindsay about intrusive thoughts or thoughts of harming herself. That answer concerned their conversations, not whether Lindsay experienced such thoughts. The defense declined further questions, and the judge excused Rossi.