A Port Washington mother is speaking publicly for the first time after police say her 7-year-old daughter was sexually abused by a volunteer tutor at the Port Washington Public Library.

The mother, who spoke exclusively with News 12, said her daughter continues to struggle emotionally, months after the alleged abuse.

“She is anxious, she’s nervous, she’s scared,” the mother said in Spanish.

According to police, 18-year-old Taylor Lindberg was arrested in May after investigators said two alleged incidents involving the child occurred at the Port Washington Public Library.

The girl’s mother said her daughter once loved going to the library but is now afraid to return.

“No, she is panicked. She used to love the library,” she said.

The mother said she became concerned after noticing changes in her daughter’s behavior and eventually learned what had allegedly happened while the child was attending tutoring sessions.

“I obviously know my daughter, and I told the teacher something happened,” she said.

The Port Washington Public Library previously said in a statement that Lindberg was a volunteer tutor who has since been banned from the library. The library also said it is cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation.

The family’s attorney, Terence Scheurer, said the alleged abuse happened during what was supposed to be a group tutoring session, not one-on-one instruction. He said the family plans to sue the library, alleging negligence.

“We’re talking about a public library. It should be one of the safest places in any community,” Scheurer said.

Scheurer also questioned the library’s supervision of volunteer tutors, saying additional safeguards should have been in place.

The victim’s mother told News 12 she continues to struggle with guilt because she was inside the library while her daughter was being tutored.

News 12 reached out to the Port Washington Public Library again Wednesday.

A library spokesperson released the following statement:

"We are very distressed about incidents reported to have occurred in the library on Monday, May 11th, and Monday, May 18th. The Library was first made aware of these allegations on Monday, May 18th. The police were contacted immediately, and we are taking this situation extremely seriously. The suspected individual was a volunteer tutor, not an employee of the library, and has been banned from the premises. The Port Washington Public Library values the health and safety of all our patrons, especially children, and is thoroughly reviewing our safety protocols. The Library cannot comment further on an active investigation, or any pending litigation, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement regarding the situation."