BOSTON -- Authorities arraigned a Centerville mother on child rape charges in Orleans District Court Monday, after Carolyn A. Pierce, 27, was accused of raping a 2-year-old girl she babysat earlier this month.

Prosecutors alleged that Pierce, herself the mother of a 2-year-old boy, raped the toddler using her finger on several occasions.

Pierce, who lives at home with her parents and grandparents, is a Cape Cod Tech graduate and also works a part-time job at the Cape Cod Times.

She was charged with seven counts of rape of a child by force and seven counts of indecent assault on a child under 14, Dennis police said.

Her attorney, Joseph McParland, told the court that there had "never been any evidence of any of this prior to this particular incident" and said Pierce had "no explanation for why or what happened."

Judge Don Carpenter ordered Pierce held on $25,000 cash bail and $50,000 surety until her next court appearance, which was scheduled for July 6.