Latest news with #LaPetiteAcademy
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Abuse arrests include employees at 2 day cares
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Two women who worked at Sioux Falls day cares are facing child abuse allegations. One incident was reported Tuesday and the other on Wednesday. Both women are behind bars in Minnehaha County. Child care provider checks, reporting in South Dakota A 10 minute video captured inside NXTGen Kidz shows 38-year-old Chelsea Struss hitting toddlers, handling them roughly, and dropping one onto the ground face first according to an affidavit. The alleged victims are all one-year-old boys. Court documents say a staff member in a hallway overheard Struss yelling at the children and stepped into the room to intervene. Struss reportedly said she was over stimulated and had a lot going on. 'This is never OK,' Parent Destiny Amyx said. Amyx says her toddler was in the room during the alleged abuse. 'I work with children with autism, and I know how hard it can be, but that is not an excuse. It is very serious, and it's something I'm still trying to process as a parent,' Amyx said. A statement on NXTGen Kidz's Facebook page says the business is saddened by the incident and remains committed to working with police on any misconduct by staff. Cost of chocolate doubled, Deadwood shop owners say Investigators say the second case was reported in the 5100 block of S Cliff Avenue. That's the same block where La Petite Academy is located. 'What we had found out was one of the employees, our suspect in this case, took some wood chips that were kind of in the playground area and pushed them into the child's mouth,' said Sam Clemens with the Sioux Falls Police Department. Mia Lopez, 22, is currently in jail in connection to the case. Police say the four-year-old alleged victim wasn't physically hurt. The Lincoln County State's Attorney says criminal charges will be filed early next week. The court system is currently closed for the Easter holiday. KELOLAND News spoke with the owner of NXTGen Kidz on the phone Friday. She says Struss, who faces four counts of felony child abuse, is no longer employed there. KELOLAND News also reached out to La Petite Academy which later then requested at 3:50 p.m. Friday that reporter Kelli Volk complete a form Volk had been told earlier Friday that her phone number would be passed onto a district manager. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Three kids believed to have ingested fentanyl laced pills at California daycare
The Brief Three kids appeared to have ingested the fentanyl-laced pills at a daycare in Victorville. At least one child tested positive for fentanyl. It's unclear where the pills came from. VICTORVILLE, Calif. - An investigation is underway after three kids appeared to have ingested fentanyl-laced pills at a daycare in Victorville. What we know On Tuesday, March 18, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Victorville Station responded to La Petite Academy on 14040 Bear Valley Road in Victorville after reports of unknown blue pills found in a classroom. Officials say La Petite staff collected the pills and immediately notified law enforcement. The department said the responding deputy recognized the blue pills with "M30" imprinted on them as possible counterfeit pills which may contain fentanyl. La Petite staff reviewed surveillance video and identified at least three children who appeared to have ingested the pills. The children, along with two staff members, were treated at local hospitals where at least one child tested positive for fentanyl. What we don't know The exact ages of the three children are not known, nor are their current conditions. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, staff at the daycare are cooperating with law enforcement to help determine where the pills came from. What you can do Anyone with information regarding this incident or other potential victims is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-8400. You can remain anonymous by calling the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463), or you may leave information on the We-Tip website at
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Child found wandering Fayette County daycare parking lot after being left asleep on bus
A daycare in Tyrone is at the center of a child abuse investigation after parents said La Petite Academy staff left their sleeping son on a bus and did not notice until another parent found him during pickup. 'He is six years old,' said Markisha Nelson. 'He woke up so frantic, so frantic and so scared.' She and her husband, Tierney Nelson, told Channel 2′s Courtney Francisco their son took a nap on the bus to daycare Thursday afternoon and woke up alone. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] They said he tried to open the emergency hatch in the back but couldn't work it. He told his parents he eventually figured out how to get through the side door. 'Aiden was out there, we're guestimating, maybe 30 to 45 minutes,' said Tierney Nelson. 'Distraught, crying, upset, emotional. He even made the comment, 'I thought I was going to die.'' They said another parent found their son in the parking lot and staff never called to tell them. 'We should have been the first people they call to give us the option to decide whether or not we wanted to keep our son in their care,' said Markisha Nelson. The Nelsons said La Petite has four safety measures in place to ensure no children are left on buses: two bus sweeps, a roll call and an alarm that detects movement inside. 'All failed,' said Tierney Nelson. A statement from La Petite Academy headquarters said in part, 'We have a number of procedures in place to ensure the safe transportation of our children and do not tolerate any deviation from these protocols. The staff involved has been placed on administrative leave while we work with our licensing partners to review the matter.' TRENDING STORIES: Couple found dead inside Atlanta apartment after SWAT standoff, victim's son charged with murder Kandi Burruss' restaurant owes more than $150,000 in back rent plus other expenses, lawsuit says Metro Atlanta 2nd grader launching kid-friendly coffee and betting big on 'Shark Tank' approval One parent picking up their child on Friday said she was unaware of the investigation into the location. 'I am very surprised,' said Sonya Cook. 'I haven't really had any safety issues.' The Nelsons hope those parents take notice and teach their children how to respond if adults fail. 'We could have lost our son,' said Tierney Nelson. 'This could have been very fatal, and this would have devasted our family.' The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning lists all complaints and violations against childcare centers. In 2024, the state sent a repeat violation enforcement fine letter to the property, after agents said staff left children unsupervised. In one case, a parent said they found a child alone in a classroom. The agency had 10 days to appeal the fine. The website does not list whether that happened. To see the list, click here. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
