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Day Care Director Ordered To Stay Away From Jamaica Plain Church

WEST ROXBURY (CBS) - A Jamaica Plain day care director has been ordered to stay away from a nearby church because parishioners say she tried to run them over with her car.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports

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Linda Chery-Valentin pleaded not guilty to assault and battery charges Tuesday at her arraignment in West Roxbury District Court.

Valentin owns Arc-En-Ciel, a bilingual French day care and Montessori school, which shares a parking lot with Our Lady of The Cedars Church.

Back on May 6, the church and Valentin's school had simultaneous events.

Investigators say she went into a rage over parking issues and tried to run down two men directing traffic there at the time.

"They reported that she exited her motor vehicle and screamed at them, saying quote 'I am going to own this church when I'm done with you,'" prosecutor Helle Sachse said in court Tuesday.

"(She) also threatened the parish priest, stating to him that quote 'You're going to be sorry.'"

Valentin was arrested at her day care center Monday.

Her attorney said the accusations are not true and that this is all about money.

"This is all about a civil action that's currently in Suffolk Superior Court. It's not about a criminal matter. Unfortunately, my client's reputation is being defamed. It's being damaged," defense attorney Douglas Martin told reporters.

"They want to displace her and take over her business."

Parishioners told WBZ-TV that Valentin had been leasing space from the church for her school, but that lease ended in October 2010.

The church did not want to renew it, but members say Valentin refused to leave and took them to court.

The judge told Valentin Tuesday she can remain at the complex for now, as long as she stays away from the church and the rectory.

She was released on a promise to return to court on June 11.

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