ALMONT TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Brandon Cifani, 29, faced a federal judge Friday, and while a woman who said she encountered him last month described what it was like to see him again, others are allegedly coming forward with similar experiences.
Background: Woman’s intuition saves her from man accused of posing as father to lure babysitter
Shelby Clark, a part-time caregiver from Almont, said Cifani conned his way into her home last month by posing as a father looking for a babysitter through Care.com.
Clark said he eventually told her he really came for “companionship.” Clark said seeing him on Friday was empowering.
“He didn’t really want to make eye contact. He took one glance, looked away, and had to do like a double take, which I thought was funny,” Clark said.
Since Clark went public with her experience, Tara Lindsay, founder of the Michigan Professional Nanny Association, said Cifani — who allegedly used the names “Brandon John C” and “Jimmie Stalente,” had also approached at least four other caregivers through the same site in the same manner.
Lindsey said she and Clark issued warnings on social media.
“Immediately, we got other women saying that they had previous encounters with him as well,” Lindsay said. “And I’m sure there were more that didn’t see the post that didn’t come forward.”
Clark said when Cifani came to her home, he asked her about her relationship and to go upstairs to “hang out.” She said when she asked him questions, he finally said he was really there for “companionship.”
Clark said she immediately told him to leave — but as she began closing the door:
“He starts to tell me thanks for letting me come over and hang out and pet your dogs,” Clark said. “I slammed the door, and I’m like, I did not invite him over to hang out and pet my dogs!”
Records indicate that Cifani was charged with fraud and forgery in 2018. He was sentenced to a day in jail and probation back then.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office told Local 4 that Cifani’s name popped up in multiple reports there, and the most recent was a sexual assault investigation in April of 2024.
They stated that prosecutors did not have sufficient evidence to file charges.
Now, federal investigators said Cifani had also been posing as a teen boy online to sexually exploit young girls, getting girls as young as 12 to perform sex acts.
Cifani was allegedly recording them and other girls — up their skirts and in public — without their knowledge.
“We just knew he wasn’t safe for the nannies. We had no idea how far his problematic behavior extended,” Lindsay said.
“I never imagined he would take it as far as child pornography, which is disgusting,” Clark said.
The women worry there may be more women out there with similar encounters.
“I would find it hard to believe that there aren’t others out there,” Lindsay said.
Previously, Care.com told Local 4 in part: “We are deeply disturbed by these allegations and are standing by, ready to help law enforcement.”
Since more women have come forward, Local 4 reached back out to Care.com.
The company said, “As this is an ongoing investigation, we will not be commenting further.”
Cifani remains behind bars. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 30, 2025.