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Blaine daycare abuse allegations prompt calls for change
The arrests of two daycare workers at Small World Learning Center have shocked many families in the community.
BLAINE, Minn. — The arrests of two day-care workers in a child abuse investigation at Small World Learning Center in Blaine came as a shock to many families, and the incident has prompted questions from Twin Cities parents about how their kids are kept safe in facilities across the state.
On Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine) will appear with victims’ families to outline “legislative solutions to ensure the abuse that occurred at a Blaine daycare center never happens again.” West said his own daughter previously attended Small World Learning Center and came home with bruises herself.
“The fact that this was clearly going on, on a daily basis, is insane,” West told KARE 11 earlier this week. “My first child … never in a million years would you think this would happen.”
West said one of his legislative proposals could include rules around the use and storage of surveillance video at daycare facilities.
In the Blaine case, surveillance video played a critical role in the arrests of the two Small World Learning Center teachers, but West said he wants facilities to store this video for longer periods of time.
“Especially since my baby was out months ago,” West said. “And we have no way of seeing the video of when she was bruised.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the state doesn’t currently require childcare facilities to use surveillance video or store that video for any length of time although many providers choose to create their own rules.
However, DHS Deputy Inspector General Alyssa Dotson said there are strict requirements for licensing and hiring for childcare facilities. On the hiring side, background studies for all employees include fingerprint checks for BCA and FBI criminal history, searches of the sex offender registry and a review of social service databases.
When there are allegations of abuse or neglect, DHS personally investigates.
“We get reports from all over the place. We get reports from family members, from community members, from law enforcement, medical staff,” Dotson said. “We have databases that we store that information in. We do some general checks to see if there is a history with this provider of similar instances with a staff person, with a child.”
DHS confirmed there is an open maltreatment investigation at Small World Learning Center in Blaine but, citing privacy reasons, the agency can’t say whether it’s related to this latest case. The facility’s license remains active and daycare management told KARE 11 they’re cooperating with DHS to improve policies.
According to the state’s website, a licensing review of the facility last year found some training violations, which have since been corrected.
Cindy Lehnhoff, the director of the National Child Care Association, said cases like the Blaine abuse investigation are relatively rare. Still, she encouraged parents to seek references on childcare facilities and to always review state websites for more information about previous violations and discipline.
“Also, visit the center at different times of the day,” Lehnhoff said. “Make drop-in visits to make sure what you think is going on, is going on.”
Last week, prosecutors charged John Sawchak with attempted 2nd-degree murder and other felony charges after he allegedly shot his neighbor Davis Moturi.
MINNEAPOLIS — Following the shooting between two neighbors, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to request that the city’s auditor conduct an independent investigation into the incidents and cases between Davis Moturi and John Sawchak.
Moturi was allegedly shot by his neighbor, Sawchak, on Wednesday, Oct. 23 but Minneapolis police did not arrest Sawchak until days later.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended not arresting Sawchak sooner, calling it a “high-risk” situation. O’Hara later said the victim, who had complained about harassment from Sawchak for months, was failed by police. Sawchak was arrested this past weekend after an hours-long standoff.
Moturi suffered a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion in the shooting. “Mr. Moturi’s life matters and I’m sorry that for nearly a year, MPD did not treat it like it did,” said Council Member Robin Wonsley in a news release, “Today’s vote affirms that the City Council is committed to taking meaningful actions towards accountability and restoration, starting with this independent review.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released this statement:
“Mayor Frey fully supports an independent review of this incident. The mayor and City are committed to always doing better, and this means closely examining past actions and finding where there may be ways to improve and grow. The mayor extends his condolences to Davis Moturi, his wife, Caroline, and their family and friends. The safety of our residents is a top priority and any form of violence or hate speech is completely unacceptable and does not align with who we are as a community. Brian O’Hara will continue to be the Minneapolis Police Chief.”
“This Valentine’s Day, 2025, will mark the five-year anniversary of the premiere of ‘Love is Blind,” Vanessa said on the Season 7 finale. “And, it is gonna be the launch of Season 8, which takes place in Minneapolis.”
The episode also revealed three of the new cast members, one of whom, “Alex,” told Lachey Minneapolis is “not like a major city, but it’s also not a small town,” which he said is just one of the obstacles in his way of finding the one.
“I just never found the right person that clicked for me,” he said.
Meantime, you can bone up on Seasons 1-7 streaming now on Netflix.
MINNEAPOLIS — How much do you know about your grandma’s upbringing?
“The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands” is a book that aims to show young Black children how their grandmas lived through beautiful illustrations and descriptions.
KARE 11 News at Noon shared more on Thursday about the impact that this book will have.
