WAKEFIELD, Mass. (WHDH) -- Attorney Bill Barabino offered some insight into his client -- 49-year-old John Burbine -- the suspect accused of sexually abusing more than a dozen children ages eight days to three years old while he and his wife -- 46-year-old Marian Burbine -- were operating an unlicensed day care business in Wakefield from July of 2010 to July of 2012.

“He seems frightened, scared,” Barabino said. “I think [the allegations] are clearly disturbing and I think John would agree.”

Neighbors say Marian Burbine, who was arraigned in October on charges of reckless endangerment of a child and operating an unlicensed day care business, told them several years ago to keep their kids away from her husband because he had problems.

John Burbine is a convicted level 1 registered sex offender. According to court records 7News obtained from the case in 1989, Burbine was supposed to be evaluated by a court psychologist to determine if he has “pedophile tendencies,” and the two victims under the age of 14 were to be examined to determine what “psychological impact the molestation has had if any.”

One woman, who asked 7News not to show her face, says her young son was tutored by Burbine. And while he wasn't sexually abused, she always had an eerie feeling about him.

“I’m just sad that there are other families that -- I mean -- this is devastating,” the woman said.

For now, Burbine’s lawyer is focusing on next week's arraignment.

“He’s going in, he’s getting arraigned, the normal course of action when someone gets an arraignment is to plead not guilty and consistent with what other people do, he will do the same,” Barabino said.

Barabino told 7News that while his client is emotionally distraught over the charges, he is not under suicide watch at the Cambridge jail where he is being held without bail.

Burbine is expected to remain in jail even after his court appearance next week.