Daycare operator sentenced for infant neglect in biting case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 17:51 · Archive

A Dickinson daycare operator has been sentenced to two years' probation after a seven-month-old infant suffered severe bite wounds in her care.

Jennifer Eilts, a Dickinson daycare operator, was sentenced on 2 November to two years of supervised probation for the felony charge of child neglect and two years of unsupervised probation for operating a family childcare home without a licence. She was barred from working with children during her probationary period.

The sentence followed an incident on 8 January at Tiny Toes Daycare, where a seven-month-old girl sustained severe bite wounds from another child whilst in Eilts' care. The injuries required emergency medical treatment and several days of hospitalisation. The child has since recovered but retained a scar.

During the sentencing hearing, William Craig, the child's father, described the lasting impact on his family. 'Nothing was the same after that day. What happened at the daycare under Jen's watch and supervision changed everything on how I look at people around my family. I no longer trust anyone,' he said in court. The incident forced Craig and his partner to leave their careers to provide full-time childcare for their daughter, and the family has since refused to use other daycare services.

Kfyr reports that during court proceedings, the daycare was allowed to continue operating. The family expressed concern that this exposed a gap in the state's child safety systems, leaving children without adequate protection whilst allegations were investigated.

How it is being reported

• Dickinson daycare operator sentenced in biting caseAccording to prosecutors in Stark County, the incident happened in January at Tiny Toes Daycare, which Jennifer Eilts ran without a license.Kfyrtv · 5 Nov, 17:31
• Dickinson daycare operator sentenced to probation in infant neglect caseA Dickinson daycare operator was sentenced to probation and barred from working with children after pleading guilty to child neglect involving an injured infant.Valleynewslive · 5 Nov, 16:27

In this story: Jennifer Eilts · William Craig · Tiny Toes Daycare · Dickinson · Stark County · North Dakota

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